How to Make Simple String Art for Beginners

How to make string art for beginners

Simple String Art for Beginners is a hammer-and-nail, make-some-noise, wind-it-up-with-string type of craft. It doesn’t get much better for kids! 

String art is made with colored thread that’s wound between nails in a design to make geometric patterns. If you like the technique from this DIY string art tutorial, you can make almost any design into a string art design.

Prepare the board

The base of the project is a wood board of some sort to create your hard surface. The wood can be something you find outdoors if it is flat, or it can be cut from a board and sanded, or it can be a finished piece of wood purchased from a craft store. I purchased 5 x 7"  Wooden Plaques and just left them the natural wood. You can use any size wood base you would like but I wouldn’t suggest going much smaller than this.

The wood base can remain as raw wood, be stained or painted the color of choice for a cleaner look. Of course, if you paint or stain it there needs to be time for it to dry before moving on to the next step. 

Note, it is helpful to put your Picture Hanging Hardware on the board before you do this project. 

A hard wooden surface is perfect for older kids who feel comfortable hammering a bit. However for younger children you could consider something like a cork board so it's a bit easier to get the nails into the surface. I haven't tried that method, but feel free to give it a try if you feel more comfortable with it. 

Free patterns to get you started

While you don't need string art kits to make this craft fun, some help is always nice! Check out these Simple String Art Patterns to give you two string art ideas to get you started. This may be the first of many projects you will want to create after seeing just how easy this is. 

The first time you try this DIY project it is good to start with a simple string art pattern and progress to something more difficult. These two designs are beginner easy string art patterns and can be completed in a short amount of time. This is good for kids as they learn a new skill. 

Print off the paper pattern in the size you need for your piece of wood. The WTN patterns will print to fit a 5x7 inch piece of wood.

How to create your own pattern

If you are looking for different string art ideas, you can draw your own pattern if you'd like. Making anything from an intricate design to a simple shape can be fun! Create your simple outlines by drawing them on a piece of paper, just be sure to draw it to match the size of your board.

Or if you'd prefer, go online and find a design (or letters, like for your name or a saying). The design should be as symbolic as possible so that it is easy to make the design as string art. Print it in the size you need for your piece of wood.

Draw dots along the edge(s) of your pattern that are equal distance apart, about ¼ to ⅜ inch apart. There should be a dot at each corner point of the pattern where the design changes direction.

Note: this is so that the thread can be looped on the nail in a way that makes it form a corner.

Hammer away!

First things first before touching the first nail...put a towel under the wooden board to protect the countertop or table and to muffle noise. Believe me, this makes a huge difference!

Tape the pattern to the board. Hammer the wire Nails into the board through the pattern. Hammer them firmly in place, part way into the board, all about the same level.

Note: This doesn't take any special skills, but here are two suggestions for how this may be done more easily since the Nails are small and hard to hold with your fingers.

*Use a Needle Nose Pliers to hold the small Nails as you Hammer them in where you have drawn dots.

*OR- Press the small Nails by hand through the pattern placed over a piece of cardstock. This will hold the nails in place as you Hammer. Place the pattern and cardstock on the piece of wood and hammer each nail into the board. 

When you are done hammering all the Nails into the 5 x 7"  Wooden Plaque, gently tear the pattern off the board. 

Let the fun begin! 

Add the string...

You will use string of your choice to make this easy project. It needs to be heavier than sewing thread but not heavy like yarn. Something like Embroidery Floss or Crochet Thread works well. I've seen people use regular String too if you want an ivory colored design.

I would recommend starting with embroidery thread, choosing different colors to fill out your design how you'd like. 

Outline the design first

The string is going to outline the design first. Tie the end of the string you are using to a nail on the edge of the design. Place the knot to the inside of the design so it won’t be noticeable once the design is made.

Loop the string around each nail traveling all the way around the design. Have the string travel around the outside of the nail and then loop around the nail towards the inside of the design so the string makes a solid line border around the outside of the design. If you have a design with a shape in the center that you do not want to fill with string, outline that shape as well. For example, if you are doing the letter “O” and want a hole in the center of the letter.

Then fill in the design with string

Now we are getting to the best part! Randomly loop the string back and forth across the design in straight lines from nail to nail, back and forth. Fill the empty space of the design with crisscrossing string until you are satisfied with how you have filled in the design. Be sure to leave any interior shapes in your pattern that are to be open without string crossing over it. 

Note: There are times that you want the design to be covered with string in a more intentional matter, not just randomly crisscrossed with the string.

For example, in the WTN house pattern, if you have a heart shape in the center of the house design, you may want the string to cross from the outside of the house into the heart in a way that makes the string look as if it radiates out of the heart to the outside border of the house. This looks great as well as the more random pattern of the string.

This is your choice of course, it's just a fun way to express yourself however you'd like!

Tie off the string when done

For the final result, tie off your string when you are satisfied with your design. Note: you can tie off your string at any time and change colors or when you are at the end of your string and need to start a new piece of string. Tie these knots to the inside of the design so they aren’t as visible. Clip off the end of the string (but don’t clip it too short or the knot will come undone!). Tuck the cut ends into the string design so they are hidden.

There are some amazing designs that can be made with this fun craft. I’ve seen city skylines, a name or word, a geometric pattern, and pictures of all sorts made into string art.

DIY String Art Kits

Wouldn't it be so much fun to use this DIY string art project in an art class, for a birthday party, or to make as a gift? And now that you know how to make your own string art, why not create homemade string art craft kits for someone else to enjoy too?

Whether making a DIY kit for yourself or someone else, check out the supplies list below for all the different materials needed! You should be able to find them all at local craft stores. Package them up and share the fun with someone else!

Supplies for Simple String Art for Beginners

• 5 x 7" Wooden Plaque for background- plain wood, stained or painted a color of choice
• Paint or stain- (optional)
• Nails- crafting nails about 1 inch long with a small head to hold the sting
• String of choice such as Embroidery Floss or Crochet Thread
• Hammer
• WTN String Art Patterns (or print picture online to the size desired)
• Cardstock paper (optional)
• Needle Nose Pliers (optional)

More Easy String Crafts and Activities for Kids!

Want to keep on crafting with the supplies you have on hand? Check out these other string crafts and activities for kids, from around the blog!

• Chevron Macrame Friendship Bracelet
• How to Make a Paper Whirligig
• How to Make String Easter Eggs
• DIY Indoor Yarn Laser Maze
• DIY Ball in Cup Game

Enjoy!

If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.