Threads of love

Gaurav shares some easy ways to make this Raksha Bandhan a truly special one for your brother

A self-made rakhi for your brother is the best way to show your love for him. So don’t buy one this Raksha Bandhan, instead make one yourself! Rakhi is generally a decorated silk thread. Get creative with a simple thread, beads and designer motifs or even cool-looking stick on fashion jewels. Here is what you will need to make your rakhi very special:

Material required:
A silk thread reel (colour of your choice) 
A cotton thread reel (matching to the silk reel colour) 
Toothbrush (an old one) 
Scissors 
Glue
Small artificial beads/sponge pieces/sequence’s (for decorating the rakhi)

Method
Step 1
Take about 25 inches long thread strands in a bunch. You can also take threads in different vibrant colours to make the rakhi look more attractive and bright. 

Step 2
Take the bunch of threads in a loop, as shown in the image, and tie a tight knot with a cotton thread (preferably of the same colour) on the one-fourth part of the silken thread bunch. The rounded part will be made into a rakhi while the three-fourth will be the string to tie around the wrist. 

Step 3
With the help of an adult, cut the thread in the loop. Make sure the heads of the silk threads of the one-fourth part of the bunch do not remain in loops.

Step 4
Once these are cut properly and not in the loop anymore, with the help of an old toothbrush, rub hard on these threads and brush them with strong strokes by holding tight on the knot. Continue doing this till the ends become soft and fluffy, this will help make the rakhi look nice and big.

Step 5
Now we have to make the strings of the rakhi, to do this, we have to divide the loose ends equally into two parts. Make plaits out of the ends on each part, as shown. This will make it easier to tie the rakhi on your brother’s hand.

Step 6
Once this is done, decorate it with beads or sequins. You can also ask an adult to cut colourful sponge into various shapes and stick them on the rakhi with the help of a glue. Similarly colourful threads can also be used creatively and stuck on the rakhi. Here you go! Your very own rakhi for your very special brother!!!

(Gaurav is the host of Disney Channel’s show Art Attack)