I thought, that I would show you an easy tutorial for stone wrapping. I am sure that we are not the only people, who have been hit hard financially by covid restrictions this year. So, like me, you might need to make a lot of your gifts. The trouble is, homemade gifts can be just as expensive or more so, by the time that you have bought everything that you need to make it.
I have seen lots of posts on Instagram of beautiful and lovingly made, knitted scarves and hats, but have you seen the price of yarn? So our gifts this year, are either made of things that we already have (fabric scraps etc) or are made from natural materials, that don’t cost a penny.
On their own these materials might not seem like much of a gift, but when you take the time to craft them into something else, they become something very special. A handmade gift, is a little bit of you and a lot of your time and care, all wrapped up to give to a loved one.
You only need to find three things to follow this tutorial.
A stone. Rounded at the ends, with straight sides works best.
A shell that is missing its top half. Limpet shells are ideal and can often be found as just a ring on the beach. I will show you an alternative, using a stick, for those who don’t live near the sea.
Some sort of yarn, cordage or twine. I am going to use cordage that I have made with raffia, but use whatever you have. The amount will vary depending on the size of your stone. I used about 1.5m for this one.
Start by holding a three inch length of your cordage/twine, vertically along the back of the stone. Hold it firmly in place, while you take the cord at right angle, round to the front of the stone.
It’s going to be a bit fiddly at first, because you need to hold everything in place, but it quickly gets easier.
Take your cord underneath the ring of shell and up through the middle.
Lay the shell in the position you would like it to be on the stone and wrap the cord (tightly), back the way that you came.
Now, pass the cord right around the back of the stone and come back to the front, on the opposite side.
Wrap the cord around the ring of shell, in exactly the same way as you did the first side.
Continue to wrap the stone in this way, each time passing through the shell at the front and wrapping to the other side, on the back.
When you feel like you have wrapped enough, you will need to stop at the back of the stone.
Make sure that the wrapping is even, on both sides at the front.
You will either need a needle with a large eye (like a tapestry needle), or something that you can use to push the cord under the wrapped portion. Remember, use what you have. There is always more than one way of doing things. You could even fashion your own tool for the job, with some wire and tape.
This is the other fiddly part of wrapping the stone. You need to pass the end of the twine, underneath all of rows of wrapping, in the centre.
The cord should lay parallel, to the vertical strand that you started with.
Once you have pulled the cord through, pull it as hard as you can to the right and then straighten again, so that is is running vertically to the wrapping.
Do the same to the original strand of cord, but pull to the left and straighten.
Cut the ends of the cord close to the wrapping.
Your wrapped stone is finished and should be looking naturally beautiful!
If you couldn’t get hold of a shell, you could use a short length of stick.
Instead of wrapping through the shell, just pass underneath the stick and back around the front of it. Follow the rest of the method above.
Whether you make this tutorial as a gift or just for yourself, have fun with it.
I am looking forward to trying out some different wrapping ideas in the New Year.
If anything is unclear, just let me know and I will do my best to explain.
It is surprisingly difficult to describe this simple process using still photos and a few words, but I am taking a brave leap into the world of YouTube in 2021, so that I can show you exactly what’s going on, in future tutorials.
Love rock wrapping. Always looking for new designs.
It’s so nice when you find just the right rock or pebble. We’re spoilt for choice here!
Thank u so much.what a inspiring u r! I’m headed for the right..it’s about a mile away!! See what I can fine!!! I like to make mobile!!
It’s a pleasure Jeannie! I hope that you have a lovely time exploring the beach and making something of your own xx
Could you teach me through zoom I am in Ireland.
Hi Josie, I’m afraid I don’t give lessons via zoom, but give it a go. Rock wrapping is a lot easier than you might think and this particular method is a great one to start with.
Great tutorial. Very easy to understand, the best I have seen for this type of craft project.
Thank you Nancy, I’m so glad that you found it helpful.😊
I want to try this.
Can you use this technique on sea glass?
Orfdesipris.od@gmail.com
As lonng as the sea glass is a suitable shape, then you should be able to wrap it in just the same way. It also works well with pieces of driftwood.
I just love this. That the simplicity & creativity yields something so beautiful. I also especially love that you speak of using things at hands; instead of buying something (at dollar store or thrift shop… that is still buying).
Thank you! Yes, I am always looking for ways to use the resources that I have around me, rather than buying in materials. It’s better for the planet, better for my bank balance and I find there is a deeper connection to the things that I make.
Interesting and looks as if this craft is relaxing.
Yes, very relaxing! I often wrap stones with shells and thong weed when I’m sat on the beach, watching my children playing in the sea.
Would love to see a photo
Hi Kathy, I will be doing some work with wrapped stones for my Patreon account this month, so I will probably pop some more photos on the blog or over on instagram. Best wishes Jane x
Thank you
Hello Jane
I saw your work today four years after your post! But I love it and I’m going to follow the pictures and explanations you made. Thank you so much. 🙏👏👏
I’m from Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹
Hi Rosa, Yes it is lovely that this post keeps spreading and so many people are making their own wrapped stones! I hope that you enjoy making yours
Jane x
Thank you for sharing this! I love collecting rocks and stones and have played around with making strings and cordage from foraged plants. I have some gorgeous rhubarb string that I will use to follow your tutorial! 🥰
It’s a pleasure Maggie! Rhubarb cordage is one of my favourites and I have a wrapped stone worked with rhubarb on the windowsill in my kitchen. I hope that you enjoy making yours! Best wishes, Jane x
Comment *Gracias por el tutorial, esta manualidad es realmente desestresante y el resultado es hermoso.
Gracias por el tutorial, esta manualidad es realmente desestresante y el resultado es hermoso.
Hi, I’m glad that you enjoyed the tutorial. Yes it is a very a relaxing craft and something that anyone can find the materials to do. Best wishes, Jane x
Comment *C’est magnifique, je vais essayer.
Un grand merci
I hope you enjoy making your own wrapped stones Sandra. x
I know its been a couple years but did you ever get around to making a YouTube tutorial for this craft?
Hi Lisa, I have sent you an email, please check your spam if you don’t receive it. It is marked Wrapping Rocks – Five In The Nest.
Thank you for sharing this craft. I’ve admired this medium for years and it’s nice you have shared your trade. Thanks to you I can dive into giving it a try. Have a wonderful day Jane! I too am curious about yourYouTube channel!!❤️
Thank you Kelly, I really hope that you enjoy having a go at rock wrapping. There are so many things that you can do with it. My You Tube channel has only been used to host my Patreon tutorials. I have stopped using Patreon this year to concentrate on my blog, as it’s been really hard to fit everything in and I feel that my blog has been a bit neglected. So you should see some new tutorials covering lots of basics, very soon and much more regular posts🤞. Best wishes, Jane
I love this, but how does the wrapping stay tight if it’s not knotted or glued at the end?
Hi Laurie, no knotting or glue needed, just pull tight as you wrap and ensure that the ends are tucked away as shown, at the back.😊
So cool thank you so much.
It’s a pleasure Debbie!😊
I’ve been wanting to try rock wrapping….thank you for your thorough and easy-to-follow instructions!
It’s a pleasure Karen, I hope that you enjoy wrapping some rocks!😊
Merci beaucoup pour ce tutoriel très bien détaillé et illustré. Bravo pour vos créations que te trouve pleines de sensibilité.
Thank you Odile, I hope that you enjoy making your own wrapped stones.😊
I think you did a great job explaining this with your words and still photos. I have the perfect stone and piece of driftwood I brought home from my trip to Vancouver Island earlier this year.
This is going to make them into a beautiful piece of art. Thank you!
Thank you MaryLou, if you get a chance send me a photo, I’d love to see it1😊
Thank you for your good instructions.
It’s a pleasure Helen, I hope that you enjoy making your own!
I love this. So easy. I can see using it as a topper for a gift, or with a word of encouragement written on it and leaving them around work or in town. Thank you!
It’s my pleasure Mary, those sound like lovely ideas! I hope that you enjoy making them xx
Thankyou for taking the time to explain the process. Selecting a stone and maybe making some natural cordage to wrap it is a beautiful way to make a connection with nature. We all need some time to heal and, I believe, this simple craft will help Many any thanks for showing us the way.
It’s a pleasure Maggie and thank you for your kind words. Yes it is a wonderful way to connect with nature and so accessible, as materials to make a wrapped stone can always be found. xx
I have been collecting rocks, and have been waiting for some to teach this.
Thank you. I’ll be doing this today 👍🏻
It’s a pleasure Gail! My apologies for the slow reply, we have been relocating to the East Coast of Scotland. I hope that you enjoy wrapping your rocks x
Thank you for providing this tutorial. It was such a mystery before! What types of string/cord do you use?
Thank you,
Kathy
Hi Kathy, I used raffia cordage that I made myself, for this tutorial, but you could use anything. My children have used wool yarn, parcel twine and waxed linen cord and I have even used seaweed to wrap rocks when I’m sat on the beach. xx
Thank you! I really like your descriptions – both wording and pictures – making it easy to not just use an hollow shell, but adjust it to a stick or other type of object.
Thank you Beverlee, I’m so glad that you found it useful. xx