Creating A 3D Turtle Rainbow Loom: Step-By-Step Guide

Rainbow Loom is a fun and creative hobby that has captured the imagination of people of all ages. While many are content with crafting simple bracelets, some enthusiasts push the boundaries of what's possible, such as creating a charming 3D turtle. This intricate design, featuring a shell, head, tongue, eyes, and legs, is a challenging yet rewarding project for any Rainbow Loom enthusiast. With patience and precision, you can bring this adorable little creature to life, adding a unique touch with your favourite colour choices. So, get ready to dive into the world of rubber bands and looms as we explore the steps to craft this captivating 3D turtle charm!

Gathering resources

To make a 3D turtle rainbow loom, you will need a rainbow loom and rubber bands. You can also use a Monster Tail instead of a rainbow loom. Additionally, you will need a crochet hook to make the legs and tail.

For the colours, you will need one colour for the tongue, another for the head, and a third colour for the shell. You can also add a different colour for the eyes. The number of rubber bands you will need depends on the size of your loom and the desired size of your turtle. Ensure you have enough rubber bands in each colour to complete the project.

If you are using a Monster Tail, you may also want to paint your nails to avoid drawing attention to them in any tutorial videos you make.

Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials and lay them out in a well-lit workspace. This will ensure that you have everything you need and can easily access your resources as you follow the step-by-step instructions for creating your 3D turtle rainbow loom.

Creating the head

To create the head of your 3D turtle, you will need to gather your resources and follow these steps carefully.

Firstly, place one band at the top of your loom. This will be the tongue of the turtle. Then, take two bands at a time and place them along the middle three times. This will form the head. It is important to be precise and place the bands neatly along the middle to ensure the head is sturdy.

Next, take one band and twist it around the third peg twice. This will create the eyes of the turtle. You can choose to use a different colour band for the eyes to make them stand out, or you can use the same colour as the head. Ensure that the eyes are secured tightly around the peg so they do not slip off.

Now, you will create the cross-section of the head. Take one band and place it across the middle of the head, connecting the two sides together. This will help hold the head together and give it a more defined shape.

At this point, you should have a complete head with a tongue, eyes, and a secure cross-section. You can now move on to creating the shell and the rest of the body. Remember to take your time and adjust the bands as needed to achieve the desired shape and structure.

With careful looping and hooking, you will be able to bring your 3D turtle to life, step by step.

Making the eyes

To make the eyes of your 3D turtle rainbow loom, get one rubber band and twist it around the third peg of your loom twice. This will form the eyes of your turtle.

When you are looping the rubber bands over the pegs to form the head, make sure you do not loop the eyes over. Continue looping the other rubber bands as normal.

You can also add a tongue to your turtle's head. To do this, place one rubber band at the top of your loom.

The head of your turtle will be formed by placing two rubber bands at a time along the middle of your loom three times.

Forming the shell

To form the shell, you will need to place two bands of your chosen shell colour at a time, diagonally in both directions. Repeat this process, moving down three pegs diagonally at the bottom and on the other side. You should then place the bands down the middle, again using two bands at a time.

Next, place one band to make a cross section on the shell, which will hold it together. Be careful not to cross over at the bottom of the shell. You can then place the bands at the end of the shell and put a cap band on top, twisting it twice.

Now you can move on to forming the legs/arms. Take your shell-coloured band and wrap it around your crochet hook four times. Then, put two bands on the hook and slide the twisted band onto it. Hook the band back onto the hook, and then add two more bands to the end of the crochet hook, sliding them on and hooking it back around. This forms one leg. Repeat this process three more times to create a total of four legs.

Position the legs on the second peg down on the shell and the last pegs on both sides. You can then start hooking the bands, beginning under the tail and the cap band. Hook the first two rubber bands over, then the next two, and then the last two. On the middle pegs, hook them all over so that it looks like the photo. Repeat this process on the sides, and you're almost done!

Adding the legs/arms

Now it's time to add the legs/arms of your turtle. Take a rubber band, the same colour as the shell, and wrap it around your crochet hook four times. Then, place two bands onto the hook and slide the twisted band onto it. Next, hook the band back onto the hook and add two more bands to the end of the crochet hook. Slide these onto the hook and then hook it back around. You've made one leg! Place it on the second peg down on the shell. Repeat this process three more times to create three more legs. Position these on the last pegs on both sides.

You can place the legs/arms wherever you like on the shell to create different poses for your turtle. Get creative and experiment with different placements to see how it changes the overall look of your creation. Remember, you can always adjust the placement of the legs/arms by gently lifting them off the pegs and moving them to different positions.

The legs/arms are an important part of your turtle's structure, providing stability and balance. They also add a lot of character and movement to your creation. Play around with different angles and positions for the legs/arms to give your turtle a unique personality. You can even try making the legs/arms in different colours or patterns to make them stand out.

Once you're happy with the placement of the legs/arms, you can move on to the next step of hooking the bands together to secure them in place. This will involve carefully lifting the rubber bands over the pegs and onto each other, following a specific pattern to ensure your turtle's structure is secure.

Frequently asked questions