How to Make a Wreath With a Lariat
- 1). Select the rope. A lariat rope is made from leather or hemp. Pick a light-weight rope that coils easily. If you are cutting the rope from a roll of rope, select the length that best works for the wreath you wish to make. Since this is a craft project, you don’t have to make the rope as long as those ranch or rodeo hands use on a regular basis as part of their work.
- 2). From a length of rope, make the first loop by creating an overhand knot at one end. Bring the rope through the knot again before pulling it tight to create the first part of the noose. Draw the other end of the rope through the loop you created, forming the noose loop. Open this loop to the size of the wreath you wish to create.
- 3). Over the open loop, begin to coil the rest of the rope, following the path of the loop. Coil the entire length of the lariat around and around to create the wreath form.
- 4). Fasten the coils together with leather ties or hot glue. If using hot glue, glue between the lariat coils at several points around the wreath and on every coiled layer. Use enough glue or fasteners so that when the wreath is hung up, the rope won’t lose its circular form.
- 5). Spray paint the lariat wreath. If you are creating a natural-look wreath, use the rope in its natural color. However, if the lariat wreath is for a special event or holiday, paint it to match the colors of the event, like green for Christmas, pink or red for Valentine’s Day, or orange or black for Halloween. Use paint that works best with the material out of which the rope is made.
- 6). Add flowers and greenery or representations of the reason for creating the lariat wreath. This might be hearts for Valentine’s Day, or flags for Independence Day, or ornaments and red and green ribbon for Christmas. For a cowboy theme, add miniature cowboy hats, saddles and horses. Use hot glue to attach the representations, or add ties and attach the items to the wreath with two-pronged pins.
- 7). Hang the wreath. Once the lariat wreath is complete, hang it on the door or use it as a centerpiece. If you are laying the wreath flat, add a pillar candle to the center.
