Turtle charms

This video will teach you how to make these Turtle Charms on the Rainbow Loom.

To make these, you’ll need lots of differently colored rubber bands. For this example, we’ll use light green, dark green, and a mixture. Feel free to use other colors as well.

Your configuration should look like this when you start.

[insert picture]

Step 1: The Head

·         With the arrow pointing towards you, connect the top right and center pins, using two rubber bands at a time. Connect the center pin to the pin behind it, then connect that pin to the top right pin. That completes the head.

·         Then put the black rubber band across these two pins for the eyes, wrapping it around three times.

·         Create the neck, using the same light green color. The neck and face should look like this.

[insert picture]

Step 2: The body

Then start on the body. Begin with the middle shelf first, down the four center pins. Alternate using green, dark green, and the colorful rubber bands, putting it down four times.

Then work on the sides.

We’re going to start with the right side here, doing one rubber band at a time so it’s easier to keep the colors one on top of the other.  On the last one, you want to bring it from the side to the center. Then start again at the top. Center them all to the bottom neck pin, two rubber bands at a time, pushing it down.

The last rubber band goes where the tail is going to be.

Then put on some decorative pins. You can put these across, starting from the left to the center, then from the center to the right. We’re going to repeat it for those three sets of pins.

Step 3: The legs

For the legs you’re going to need a total of six rubber bands. The legs will be created using the pins at the back of the loom.

Two for the front legs, three for the back. We’ll use a dark green band for the toe, putting it around three times. Repeat for the other leg.

Now pull the rubber bands starting from the toe pin, creating teardrops on each pin used for the legs. Then pull it off, and stick it on the forelegs.

Then create a fourth leg repeating the entire process.

You can then place a capping rubber band on the tail.

Step 4: Putting it all together

·         Take a yellow rubber band, wrap it around your finger once, then tie a knot. That’s going to be the tail. Place that on the side, we’ll get back to it in a little bit.

·         For now, go back to the bottom. Reach under the capping rubber band for the last two bands. Pull, make a teardrop, then pull the rubber band over to the closest pin to the front. Repeat the process for the next two pins, putting the final two bands on the middle pin.

·         Put the tail back on. Stretch it to the center.

·         Pull a leg, fish out the decorative band, then pull it to the middle leg. Repeat on the other side.

·         Fish out the bottom band on each leg, this time pulling it to the pin in front of it. Repeat for the center.

·         Repeat that process for the next two rows. All three bottom-bands on the third row go on the neck.

·         Stretch the bottom two rubber bands, create a tear drop and place it on the pin in front of it.

·         Now grab the top two rubber bands, create teardrops and pull them unto one eye. Grab the lower two and pull them to the other eye.

·         Repeat the process from the eyes to the top row.

·         Bring the mouth (top row) together.

·         Now it’s time to add the hook.

·         Simply loop it though the mouth using your pin.

Now you’re ready to start pulling everything off. Hold down the pins while carefully prying the turtle off. Push out the top shell with your fingers, and adjust the limbs and neck with your pin and fingers until the desired form is reached.