Learn to make this popular Imbolc and Candlemas craft.
The Brigid's cross is a traditional craft made at Imbolc and Candlemas by Pagans and Christians alike. Named for the Celtic goddess and the Catholic saint, it is hung in the home for protection or given as an offering to the goddess. Others keep the cross hung up all year round for protection and as part of their devotion to Brigid. Learn how to make your own Brigid's cross below.
Origins and Components of Brigid's Cross
The equal-armed cross is derivative of the Celtic sun wheel symbol. Traditionally, the cross is made from rushes, wheat stalks, or other natural grasses. The cross pictured above is made using flat basket weaving reed that is 1/4-inch wide. It has been soaked in warm water for approximately two hours to make it pliable enough to work with. Dried grasses will need to be soaked also. A kid-friendly version can be made with craft pipe cleaners or straws.
The exact materials used for the pictured cross are:
The exact materials used for the pictured cross are:
- 14 reeds cut to 12-inch lengths and soaked for 2 hours
- Four 6-inch lengths of cotton string
- 1 tablespoon instant tea for staining (optional - this was used due to the reed having been bleached)
Instructions for the Cross
Take two reeds and place them together in a cross pattern. Take another reed and fold it in half over the far right half of the horizontal reed (see Figure 1). Keep the reed snug to the center cross.
Turn the entire piece 90 degrees to the left. Fold another reed in the same fashion over the far right half the current horizontal reed (see Figure 2). Keep working snugly.
Continue on this way until you have one reed left to use. Start folding this reed over in the manner described above but tuck the ends into the front and back of the reed below to secure the piece together (see close-up of this below).
Tie string around the four arms of the cross to secure. Mix the 1 tablespoon instant tea with 1/2 cup water and paint the cross with it. I let this dry and applied a second coat to get the stain I wanted.
Turn the entire piece 90 degrees to the left. Fold another reed in the same fashion over the far right half the current horizontal reed (see Figure 2). Keep working snugly.
Continue on this way until you have one reed left to use. Start folding this reed over in the manner described above but tuck the ends into the front and back of the reed below to secure the piece together (see close-up of this below).
Tie string around the four arms of the cross to secure. Mix the 1 tablespoon instant tea with 1/2 cup water and paint the cross with it. I let this dry and applied a second coat to get the stain I wanted.
Alternative Methods
As mentioned, if you have young kids, use pipe cleaners or straws to make this a fun project for them. Add whatever embellishments you like including paint or fancy flourishes on the ends by twisting the pipe cleaner into curls.
Plan ahead and harvest your own natural grasses for the project. Basket weaving materials also come in a large variety of sizes, types, and colors.
Plan ahead and harvest your own natural grasses for the project. Basket weaving materials also come in a large variety of sizes, types, and colors.
Prayers and blessings said over the materials you are going to use would be appropriate as this is a devotional craft.
Weaving Reeds and Pipe Cleaners From eBay
There are many basket weaving supplies on sale at eBay if you aren't able to harvest your own grasses for the project. You can also find chenille pipe cleaners if you want to use those as an alternative with kids.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySee how others make Brigid's Cross
YouTube is a great place to find instructional videos of different techniques of making this popular craft.
curated content from YouTube
Learn More About Brigid and Her Flamekeepers
- Brigid of the Flame - Goddess and Saint
- If there is a goddess that has captured the hearts of many in the Neopagan revival, it would be Brigid. Learn more about this Irish goddess that is believed to be the inspiration for a saint.
Some Brigid Items You Might Like
Saint Bridget St. Brigid Cross Sterling Silver Pendant
Amazon Price: $11.79 (as of 02/10/2010) 
Celtic Goddess Brigid Statue Pagan Wicca Dryad Designs
Amazon Price: $84.99 (as of 02/10/2010)
The Rites of Brigid: Goddess & Saint
Amazon Price: $21.24 (as of 02/10/2010)
Learn More About Imbolc
-
Pagan Holidays - Imbolc
-
What do groundhogs predicting the weather, ewes, a Pagan goddess, a Christian saint and spring cleaning all have in common? They are each intertwined into the history of Imbolc, the feast day of Brigid, on February 2nd. There are as many traditions...
by PJ_Deneen
Hello, I'm P.J. (Trish) Deneen. I work at home doing medical transcription and freelance writing.
Click here to create a lens and earn cash writing a... (more)
Click here to create a lens and earn cash writing a... (more)
Explore related pages
The Tradition of Saint Brigid's Cross
- Brigid's cross is an traditional Irish woven cross made from rushes. It's origin...
Pagan Holidays - Imbolc- What do groundhogs predicting the weather, ewes, a Pagan goddess, a Christian sa...
Wheel Of the Year: Imbolc- Come now flame of passion, burning, writhing in the depth of night; take me from...
Runes, My Rune Crafts and my vast selection of Pagan Crafts.- The powerful Futhark, forerunner to our English alphabet. It has survived...
