Brigid’s Cross Tutorial

In Ireland Candlemas (or pagan Imbolc) is celebrated as St Brigid’s feast day. It’s a holiday where the returning of the light and the nature after the dark winter is celebrated. A typical symbol for this holiday is the Brigid’s cross (or Brigit’s cross), a four-ended cross made of straw or rushes, with a knotted pattern in the middle. Traditionally the crosses are made on the holiday and set over doorways and windows to protect the home from fire or any kind of harm.

There are many different variations of Brigid’s crosses. The Brigid’s Cross tutorial I’m showing here is the most common.

Brigid’s Cross Tutorial:

You need:
natural straw – for example wheat straw stalks (available here*) and cut off the ears
yarn (available here*)

Alternatively you can use (available here*), but these straws are often a bit too wide in diameter

You need to soak the straw in warm water for a while, to avoid breaking. 30 minutes should be enough.

Begin with two straws. Fold the straws in the middle.

Wrap one straw around the other, like shown in the picture.

Wrap a third straw around the second straw.

Wrap a fourth straw around the third straw and tuck its ends through the loop of the first straw.

Now you can pull on the straws and form the knot in the middle.

Start with a second row. It doesn’t matter where you start, but you need to fold the new straws in the same direction as before.

Wrap a new straw always around all the straw endings on one side.

To finish a row, tuck the ends of the last straw into the loop of the first straw of the row.

After you pull them tight, you can add as many rows as you like. Typically you can add 3 or 4 rows of straw, before the Brigid’s cross gets too bulky.

Secure the straw ends on each side with some yarn and trim them.

A finished Brigid’s cross should look something like this. 🙂

You can decorate them outside or above your doorway as a blessing to protect the home from harm.

There are different variations of Brigid’s crosses. A three-stranded cross is made exactely like one with 4 sides, but you end each row after adding the third straw. There are also variations where you weave the straw in the middle and secure the ends straight.

Brigid’s Cross, straw dolls and candles are perfect Candlemas decoration.

 

Brigid’s Cross Tutorial for Pinterest:

Follow us on instagram for exclusive tutorials, creative ideas and behind the scences pics: ColorfulCraftsDIY on Instagram

 

*This blog post contains affiliate links. You can read all about them on my disclosure page. Link >>