Awakeri School

Poi Making

Page designed by Ngahuia Leighton and Amy Falwasser..

The poi is a very fun thing to learn. It is used in Kapa Haka etc. If you don't already have a poi maybe you should make some and give it a go.

How to make a POI

You will need . . .

*A plastic bag
*Stuffing- fluff etc.. DON'T use toilet paper, because toilet paper is too hard on your hands.
*Wool
*Cellotape

Instructions

* First you get some wool about the length of your forearm (from your elbow to your middle finger tip).This will make a short poi. If you want to make a long poi, the length of the wool should be from your shoulder to the tip of your middle finger. You will need six strands of wool.
* Next you tie a knot at one end and then you do a 3 plait starting from the knot. Make sure when you finish plaiting you knot the other end leaving enough strands of wool to tie around the ball of stuffing.
*Grab a bunch of stuffing and scrunch it up into a ball about the size of a fist. Put the leftover strands around the ball of stuffing and tie the strands to hold the ball in place.
*Then put the plastic bag over the stuffing and gather it at the last knot you made and tie with wool or string to hold it together.
*Trim the plastic beneath the tie.
*To finish off wrap cellotape around the tie.
*There you have your poi. Have fun!!