On St. Brigid's Day in Ireland it is customary to make reed crosses named after the saint. Let's make a St. Brigid's Cross using pipe cleaners or chenille straws.
But, if like me, you live in the city, it is not easy to find an abundant supply of reeds.
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Saint Brigid's Cross - Made With Reeds
In America, reeds and rushes don't grow as prolifically as in the wet soil of my homeland.
To carry on the tradition of making a Saint Brigid's Cross on the first day of February, I decided an alternative to reeds was needed.
Chenille Stem or Pipe Cleaner Cross
Determined to mark this day by making some crosses with my kids, I decided pipe cleaners would be the best solution.
'Chenille stem' seems to be the new name for this trusted craft supply. Add a little glitter and a good old pipe cleaner is transformed into a chenille stem.
To make your cross you will need 18 or 22 stems, depending on how big you'd like to make the center square of your cross.
How To Make A Chenille Stem Saint Brigid's Cross
Lay one stem straight and bend all others, except one, in half. Cut the last one in four equal pieces for binding the ends of each arm of the cross.
Step 1: Loop one bent stem around the center of the vertical stem, pointing the ends to the right.
Step 2: Loop the next bent stem around the first arm, pointing upwards.
Step 3: The next bent stem is looped around the upward arm, pointing to the left.
Step 4: The final arm is created by pointing a bent stem downwards around the left arm.
Repeat these four steps 3 or 4 times to expand your cross, starting each round on the right and underneath the arm.
The final stem must be secured.
Pull the last loop of the right arm back a little, and slot the last stem downwards and through this hole. Re-tighten each loop.
Secure the end of each arm using a small piece of pipe cleaner.
And there you have it, a St. Brigid's Cross made with pipe cleaners, even if it's a little more glittery than the saint's original.
We got a little carried away this morning, making big ones and small ones, multicolored and glittery crosses.
But let's face it. St. Brigid loved a good party, so I think she would approve of a little sparkle.
Happy St. Brigid's Day to all.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
P.S. Thanks to Maureen at "Make Time For Nature" for her lovely photo of St. Brigid's crosses made with reeds.
Here are some other posts you might enjoy...
Blessings
- Irish Wedding Blessings
- Irish Toasts And Blessings For A Happy New Year
- May You Be Blessed With The Spirit Of The Season
- Donegal Sunsets
Crafts
- Homemade Plaid Shamrock Decoration for Saint Patrick's Day
- Wine Cork Shamrock Craft for Saint Patrick's Day
- DIY Shamrock Pop-up Card for Saint Patrick's Day Greetings
- Paper Strip Shamrock Mobile Craft with Printable Tutorial
Brian Deeney
Hi
Greetings from Donegal
Here is a facebook gallery from Sarah Sayers of the community in Falcarragh, Co. Donegal making St Bridget's crosses last night http://dch.ie/1iZ1XIh
Regards
Brian
Irish American Mom
Brian - I hope you are all not being blown away by the gale force winds hitting Ireland right now. Thanks for the video link.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Maureen O Hanlon
Thank you Mairead for sharing my picture and mentioning my page, i love the crosses you made with the pipe cleaners , happy ST Bridgits day to you and the family 🙂
Irish American Mom
Maureen - Thanks so much. Your photo and crosses are amazing. I always love to browse through the photos on your page. They do my heart a world of good.
Best wishes to you and yours too,
Mairéad
T.M. Johnson
Mairead...fascinating background on St Brigid's Day. I read the post with interest and thought I'd share a comment or two. According to Lost Country Life, Dorothy Hartley's book chronicling month by month how the English county folk went about their daily routines two and three centuries ago, the first farm feast of the New Year was on Plough Monday (January 6: "Plough Monday, the next after Twelfthtide be past,/ biddeth out with the Plough; the worst husband is last"). Apparently spring came earlier in England those days. Re: St. Brigid and her brewing talents. "Authentic" mead should be brewed from heather honey. No wonder she was so successful. The colorful strands of cloth decorating the countryside in Brigid's honor put me in mind of the prayer bundles Native Americans place in trees around the base of Devil's Tower in Wyoming.
Re: Ground Hog's Day ("Whistlepig Day" I call it). I sincerely hope it's a cloudy day tomorrow; the East Coast has been burdened enough by winter.
Pipe cleaner crosses...wonder how they'll fare in the annual burning? Happy St. Brigid's Day. Glad you're back. TMJ
Irish American Mom
T.M. - I love all your little tidbits of information for the beginning of February. At the time of writing this reply, Punxsutawney Phil has issued his verdict and it's not a good one for the East Coast. Louisville is under snow right now, and it sounds like there is no end to winter in sight.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Maureen O Hanlon
Thank you Mairead. glad you like my photos and crosses, I love the information and recipies you share on your page, hope all the family are good xx
Irish American Mom
Your photos are always wonderful, Maureen. All my crew are doing great.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Very cool finished product, Mairead! The multicolored blue and gray looks really sharp!
Irish American Mom
Cheryl - That cross is a little flashier than the original, but my kids had great fun making them.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
JJT
Hoo boy, our 7 year old daughter is pipe-cleaner craft-crazy; will have to make these with her!
.JT.
Irish American Mom
J.T. - I too have a pipe-cleaner crazy 7-year old. She loves bending them into all kinds of different shapes.
All the best,
Mairéad