Pipe Cleaner Dollar Sign Craft

This is a moderately difficult craft that should be used for elementary school children and older. The materials are simple, actually minimal. The directions can be a bit difficult to follow for the non-visual or non-crafty person. The result is a great dollar sign that can be used for decoration, a pin, a swap pin, or just about anything money theme related.

Necessary materials are a wire cutter, kitchen shears or a utility scissor, something able to cut through the pipe cleaner. Two pipe cleaners in any color but green is suggested to carry on the monetary theme.

To begin, fold the two pipe cleaners in half so as to find the middle point. This is where you want to cut the pipe cleaners so that you end up with four pieces of pipe cleaner. Separate them into two piles; two of these pieces will be used for twisting while the other two are used for the straight lines in the dollar sign. These two straight lines never get twisted or manipulated.

Holding the two pieces in your hand horizontally that will be manipulated, twist them three times. It is important to note that they are twisted a full turn so that the pipe cleaner that began on top is on top again after one complete twist. Now, insert a straight pipe cleaner piece in between the two pieces that are being twisted. Using the two pipe cleaners that are being twisted, twist again one full twist. (This is the basic pattern, three twists followed by one and so on. ) Now, place the next straight piece in between the two pieces being twisted. Follow by twisting the pieces being manipulated three times. This grouping of three makes the outside curve, the first curve of the S shape. Insert the last straight pipe cleaner in between the twisted two again. Twist them once and insert the first straight pipe cleaner in between the two being twisted. This makes the top half of the dollar sign. Keep in mind it can be manipulated and adjusted later if it doesn't appear to be taking shape quite yet.

Following the three twist and one twist pattern, you are now ready to twist three times and curve the pipe cleaners into the second (bottom) curve of the S shape. Insert the first straight pipe cleaner. Twist one time and insert the second straight pipe cleaner. Twist three times to finish the tail of the S shape.

You can now adjust the form as needed to make it look more like the dollar sign shape. The straight pieces might be too long. They can now be cut down to an appropriate length, or you can fold them over making the ends smooth and not sharp.

For swap pins, you can use a safety pin to hang the dollar sign from and use the pin to attach the dollar sign to a hat or back pack as desired.

The example in the photograph is created out of two colors so that you may see the twisting take place and follow the placement of the straight pieces.