In Ireland the Brigid cross is associated with St. Brigid, one of the patron saints of Ireland. Brigid was born in Ireland in 450 A.D. It is told that she wove this cross while attending to a dying man. Through her kindness and story about the cross, she converted the man to Christianity before he died. The Brigid cross is traditionally made of rushes, and displayed over doorways and windows in Ireland to protect homes and families from harm. Note: The Brigid Cross is also a symbol associated with the pagan goddess, Brigid, but its importance in Irish culture is connected with St. Brigid.
Although traditionally made from natural materials, our tutorial uses pipe cleaners because they are far easier to work with. Children can construct the cross on a flat surface, freeing up both hands to put it together. When using natural materials, one hand must be used to hold the cross together while you work with your other hand. When a child has mastered making Brigid crosses out of pipe cleaners, they can move on to natural materials.
Materials to Make a Pipe Cleaner Brigid Cross
Scissors or wire cutters
Directions
NOTE: For purposes of clarity, the following abbreviations are used: Green – G, Tan – T, Yellow – Y, and Orange – O
Select 16 pipe cleaners. Fold 15 in half, leaving 1 (G) straight.
Position the unfolded (G) piper cleaner horizontally on the table. Slide a folded (O) pipe pipe cleaner to the center. Keep O’s fold close to G. (figure 1)
Take another pipe cleaner (Y), open it slightly, and catch all of the pipe cleaners that are in the upright vertical position. (At this point, it is the 2 O ends.) Slide the Y fold close to the O pipe cleaners. (figure 2 and 3)
Rotate the entire cross one quarter turn counter clockwise. The 2 Y pipe cleaners and 1 G pipe cleaner will be vertical on top. (figure 4)
As with the Y pipe cleaner, slightly open the T pipe cleaner and slide it over all the vertical pipe cleaners. Pull the T close to the vertical pipe cleaners. (figure 5)
Continue in this manner until you have 1 pipe cleaner left. Always rotate a quarter turn counter clockwise. Slip a new folded pipe cleaner on from the left to the right side, capturing the top vertical pipe cleaners between the new pipe cleaner. Pull the pipe cleaner so to it close to other pipe cleaners.
While working, maintain a square in the middle by keeping the pipe cleaners at right angles to one another.
When you are ready to put in your last pipe cleaner (T), rotate the piece one quarter turn counter clockwise. Carefully slide your last G piper cleaner so there is a 1 inch loop above your last T pipe cleaner. (figure 6)
When you add your last pipe cleaner (T), after it captures the vertical pipe cleaners, slide both ends of the T pipe cleaner through the G loop. Pull the T pipe cleaner tight against the other pipe cleaners, then pull the G pipe cleaner back into place, getting rid of the loop. This secures the pipe cleaners so the weaving does not come undone. (figure 7)
If need be, straighten out the woven pipe cleaners so you have a nice square shape. (figure 8)
Beginning on any arm of the cross, measure out 2 inches.
Grasp the arm at the 2 inch mark between your thumb and first finger. From the back grab one of the ends of a pipe cleaner, and wrap it tightly around the bundle of pipe cleaners. Have the end stick up straight on the front side.
With a finger, gently create a space in the bundle between the woven square and the tied off section. Take the end of the pipe cleaner that you used to tie the bundle, and push it through this opening. Your end should now be on the back of your cross.
On the back, bend this pipe cleaner so it lies flat with the other pipe cleaner ends in this bundle.
Do the same to the other 3 arms.
Using a pair of wire cutters or craft scissors, cut off the ends of the pipe cleaners about an inch from the ties.
You St. Brigid Cross is now ready to hang above a window or doorway.
Varition
Working with natural materials. There are many natural materials that can be used. If you are fortunate enough to have access to fresh reeds, harvest some before you are ready to begin. Straw can be used too, but it is best to soak it for several hours before you begin working with it. Also, if you have glycerin for soap or lotion making, a small amount in the water will help stop the straw from cracking while you are working on it. In the photos below, we used raffia.
The biggest difference when you work with natural materials is the grasses themselves are rather “springy” and you must hold them together in the center while you add more reed with your other hand. This is why we suggest starting with pipe cleaners until children understand the technique for putting them together.
Pipe cleaner and raffia St. Brigid Crosses.
