String Art Fun

Clover String Art
String Art
String art involves wrapping colorful string
around nails or pins to form a design. String
art can also be used to teach math! It’s a great
way to learn about shapes if you’re younger
and to learn a little about geometry if you’re
older. String art can be simple, or more
complex. For example, the clover you are
about to make might look hard, but if you
separate it into more simple shapes, you will
see that you can do it (each leaf is like a
heart). Look inside for some basic instructions
on string art, or jump in and get started!
Supplies: Instructions:
Clover Template Step 1: Gather Supplies and locate
Board the provided clover template. Tape
Frame boards the template in place. It is a good
nails idea to anchor it down by placing a
string/yarn nail in each corner.
Hammer
Pencil Step 2: With a hammer, pound
tape the nails all the way around; each
Ruler
dot is a spot for the nail. Instead
of nailing the H, poke holes with a
Other:
pencil and draw in where the
Paint
Sandpaper
nails will go. You will want to
hammer these in AFTER using
the green string. (Be careful not
to hammer your fingers!) Remove
the paper. Tweezers may be
helpful.
Step 3: Tie the string around the nail at your start. Leave enough of a tail to use to tie
on more string. Wrap the string to create a border with the nails. You will wind the string
in and out until you complete the shape. Then you will wrap it around the border a
second time the opposite way than did the first time. You will need to wrap the string
around the nail at each corner.
Step 4: Fill the shape with string. Once you have outlined the cover, begin filling in
the shape. There is no right way to do this. You will want to make sure that each
portion of the shape is equally filled in. Repeat until you like it, then tie off the end
string with the beginning string, making a knot and clipping the tails.
Step 5: Use the “H” pattern and the markings from your template to hammer in your
nails. Then complete each H like you did the clover. 1) tie the string, 2) make the
border, 3) fill it in, 4) finish by tying the start and finish strings.
Step 6: Locate the frame/Assemble the
frame.. If you would like to sand, distress,
paint, or otherwise finish the frame, do this
first. Then locate the 1.5 inch nails. Next,
determine the best fit (short pieces on the
top/bottom or the sides? Then mark your
frame with a pencil, the short pieces
should have one nail on each side and be
approximately ¼ inch from the side and
the bottom. Hammer the nails into the
short pieces, when they poke through,
then hammer each piece into your clover This part hangs over the clover side
board. Next, Mark your longer pieces.
You will want to use 4 nails, one nail needs
to go into the short piece, and another into
the board. Don’t forget to account for the
nail from the short piece. Make sure this nail goes into short frame piece
Step 8: Finishing Touches. This part is

completely up to you. Maybe you want
to add some artwork to the sides. Or
maybe you want to put some projects
that you are involved in on the sides. If
you don’t want it to be standing art, you
might add hooks to hang it.
Have Fun.
Be Creative!
Make It Your Own.
String Art: the math and history behind it.
String art involves wrapping colorful string around

nails or pins to form a design. String art can also be
used to teach math! String art is thought to have
originated in the 19th century when Mary Everest
Boole wanted to make math fun, specifically
geometry. A modern geometric concept string art
explains is the bezier curve because string art
demonstrates that it is possible to make curved
geometric figures using straight lines. The use of
shapes, is a much more simple way to explain math
in String Art.
Learning with String Art.

Shapes are everywhere. Look around.
What shapes do you see? Shapes are
a big part of string art design.
Two-Dimensional/Three-Dimensional Shapes.
Two dimensional (2-D) shapes are flat shapes we see everyday. Examples include circles, triangles,
squares, etc. String art is based on 3 dimensional (3-D) geometric designs. These shapes are not flat
like the shapes on a piece of paper, they are 3 dimensional, like a can of soup. Examples of 3-D shapes
include: cylinder, cube, sphere, and pyramid. Look around the room and identify 2-D and 3-D shapes.
Bezier Curve.
In simple terms, bezier curves are curved shapes made
using straight lines. Bezier curves are used today to create
shapes in computer related design. Vector shapes use a
series of paths to make up a shape (the same as it works in
string art.)
Bezier Curve Techniques.

Bezier curves are important in geometric modeling and can
be very difficult to explain. The Bezier Technique takes
math concepts into a highly geometric, creative form. If you
Computer Programs such as break it down, it puts the creativity in computer graphic
Adobe Illustrator use bezier curves design. Bezier curves are also used in practical life. Aircraft
to create shapes. These shapes design is an example of this. This type of mathematics is
use lines to create a curve. used to convert design to create safe and efficient aircraft.
Designing with String Art
Anyone can create beautiful string art. From beginner to advanced there are many styles
and techniques that can be used.
Basic: String art can be used to make basic geometric

shapes in string. You can make a square, rectangle,
circle, heart, etc. Using a template makes this easier.
Start with the shape with the least amount of sides and
work up.
Radial: Explore radial design (working off one point like

the example on the left. The center nail is the starting
point. What could you make if you moved the nail? Or
added in different designs?
Curve Stitching (using the ideas of bezier curves):

Work on more complicated geometric shapes into your
string art. Create templates with more complex shapes.
The more nails you use, the more complex your design.
More on Mary Everest Boole

Mary Boole lived from 1832-1916. She was a self-taught
mathematician and is known for her work in making math fun. Mary
Everest Boole was an outside-of-the-box thinker who inspired kids to
learn by doing hands-on activities. She had kids explore math
through playful activities, including string art. This was done using
straight lines to create curved lines.
Photo credit: Free Domain

The Basics of String Art
There is no right or wrong way to doing string art. Some methods take longer. Some are
harder. Some are easier. The best part of string art is that every piece is unique.
STEP 1: Basic Supplies: template, nails, board, hammer, tape,

paper, string, pencil Tips/Tricks: you’ll want wood that is easy to
hammer into (you could even use corkboard), think about the type of
nails too. If you’re not sure about what woods are soft and what nails
are easy to hammer in, ask at your local hardware/lumber store.
They’ll know how to help you.
● Templates: You can find many templates for string art online
through a simple search. Most patterns are free. You can also
take a picture and tape it down to your board and put your own
nails in around it. For example, you could use word art in a
word processing program (MS Word, or Google Slides) to
create an outline of your name and then use that as a template
for your string art. More resources can be found on the last
page.
● Types of String: You can use a variety of strings. Embroidery
floss makes a nice thin line, and yarn makes a thicker one.
There are advantages to both kinds and it depends on what
you want it to look like in the end. You can use what you have
at home as you learn.
STEP 2: Preparing your Board: If you want to paint, or distress

(hammer, add texture, etc) your board. You will need to do this before
setting up the template.
STEP 3: Prepare the design: You’ll need to decide how to transfer the
design. This will depend on what kind of pattern/template you are
using.
● One way is to print the design on paper and secure it with tape.
● Next, hammer the nails evenly spaced around the template.
● Remove the paper from the board (a tweezers may be helpful)
The Basics of String Art Cont.
STEP 4: Wrap the String: You’ll need to create your design with the string.
1. Unwrap your string and tie one end in a knot around the starting point of your design.
Securing the knot with clear glue or nail polish will make it more secure.
2. Weave your string around the border of the nails. Make sure you hold it tight so it doesn’t
come undone. Begin by weaving in and out on every other nail and then go around again
the opposite way.
3. Continue to fill in the insides of your design in random patterns.
4. Secure the end when done.
STEP 5: Finishing Touches: Consider adding more colors, added touches, or you can
leave it the way you have it. If you need to start a new string, secure it like before and begin
again.
String Art Links/Resources
Do String Art:
https://www.wikihow.com/Do-String-Art
String Art Fun

https://www.stringartfun.com/
Explore Geometry with String Art

https://babbledabbledo.com/math-art-idea-explore-geometry-string-art/
Works Cited
Boole, Mary Everest, 1832-1916. (1909). Philosophy & fun of algebra. London :C. W. Daniel.
Farin, G., Hoschek, J., Kim, M. -., & Kim, M. -. (2002). Handbook of computer aided
geometric design. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
Sóbester, A., Forrester, A. I. J., Sóbester, A., & S, B. A. S. (2014). Aircraft aerodynamic design
: Geometry and optimization. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities

in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.
Developed/Created by Sara Waldron, Barron County

4-H Educator. Photos are original works, unless
otherwise cited.

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Clover String Art

Step 8: Finishing Touches. This part is

String art involves wrapping colorful string around

Learning with String Art.

Bezier Curve Techniques.

Basic: String art can be used to make basic geometric

Radial: Explore radial design (working off one point like

Curve Stitching (using the ideas of bezier curves):

More on Mary Everest Boole

Photo credit: Free Domain

STEP 1: Basic Supplies: template, nails, board, hammer, tape,

STEP 2: Preparing your Board: If you want to paint, or distress

String Art Fun

Explore Geometry with String Art

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities

Developed/Created by Sara Waldron, Barron County

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