KCKPL YS Kwanzaa Woven Mat Craft

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Kwanzaa Crafts
Woven Mat
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	A Mkeka (em-kay-ka) is a hand made woven mat made especially for Kwanzaa. It symbolizes foundation and history. Mkekas are traditionally made out of grasses or fabric, but you can make one out of construction paper.
	You will need: 1 piece of red construction paper 1 piece of green construction paper 1 piece of black construction paper Scissors Glue stick Ruler Pencil
	1.	Measure with the ruler and mark off about 1/4" spaces all along one edge of a piece of construction paper.
	2.	Use the scissors to cut the paper into 1/4" wide strips using the marks you made as a guide.
	3.	Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the other two pieces of construction paper.
	4.	Glue 2 different colored strips together in an "L" shape.

	5.	Make a row of alternating colors. Never put two of the same colored strips next to each other.

	6.	Weave different colored strips in and out between the rows.

	7.	Glue all the loose ends together, and you have a mat!
		_________________ You will have some strips left over, so you can make more than one mat. There are lots of different patterns you can weave; over-under, or criss-cross. Try lots of different kinds.

Happy Kwanzaa!

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