Crafts
How to make your own Brigid’s Cross
A Brigid’s Cross (also called St. Brigid’s Cross) is a traditional Irish symbol associated with St. Brigid (or the goddess Brigid), typically made on the eve of her feast day (January 31st / February 1st for Imbolc). It’s a protective charm, often placed above doors or in homes.
The classic version is a four-armed, diamond-shaped woven cross made from rushes (reeds), but you can substitute with straw, paper straws, pipe cleaners, or even soaked dried grass/wheat stalks for flexibility.
Materials
• 12–16 equal-length strands (about 30–40 cm / 12–16 inches long) of fresh rushes/reeds (traditional), straw, or substitutes
• Scissors (for trimming ends)
• Elastic bands, string, or twine (to secure the four arms at the end)
Tip: If using dried materials (like straw), soak them in water for a few hours first to make them pliable and less likely to snap.
Traditional Step-by-Step Instructions (Four-Armed Diamond Cross)
This follows the most common method using a “fold-and-rotate” technique (often taught with a clock face for guidance: think 12, 3, 6, 9 positions).
1. Start with the centre
Take one straight rush and hold it vertically (like 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock on a clock).
2. Add the second rush
Take a second rush, pinch/fold it in the middle, and wrap it around the centre of the first one so the two ends stick out horizontally to the right (like pointing to 3 o’clock). Pull tight and hold the centre firmly with your thumb and finger.
3. Rotate anti-clockwise
Keeping a firm grip on the centre, rotate the whole piece 90° anti-clockwise (counter-clockwise). What was pointing right now points up (to 12 o’clock).
4. Add the third rush
Fold a third rush in the middle and wrap it around the current horizontal pieces (the ones now vertical after rotation), with the ends pointing to the right again (to the new 3 o’clock position). Pull tight.
5. Repeat the pattern
Rotate everything 90° anti-clockwise again.
Add another folded rush, always wrapping so the ends point “right” relative to the current orientation, then rotate again.
Continue this (“add to the right, turn left”) until you’ve used 12–16 rushes total. Each new rush locks the previous ones in place, creating the woven diamond pattern in the centre.
6. Finish the arms
When the cross is the size you want (usually after 3–4 rushes per arm), secure each of the four arms near the ends with small elastic bands or string to stop unraveling.
7. Trim
Cut the ends of all the rushes so they’re even length on each arm for a neat look.
The centre should form a tight square/diamond weave, with four equal arms extending out.
Tips for Success
• Always keep firm pressure on the centre while working — this is the most common place it unravels.
• Work slowly at first; the rhythm becomes natural after a few crosses.
• If it feels loose, stop and gently push/tighten the weave toward the centre.
• Smaller crosses (8–12 strands) are easier for beginners; larger ones (16+) look more impressive but take more material.
How to make one from paper or card
You can easily make a simplified version using paper strips (the most common paper method mimics the traditional weaving with folded strips). This version uses about 4–12 strips depending on size and thickness desired—start small with 4 for a basic one.
Materials
• Several long strips of paper or card (construction paper, colored paper, or recycled magazine/book pages work great)
• Suggested size: about 1–2 cm wide and 20–30 cm long (adjust for bigger/smaller crosses)
• Scissors (to cut strips if needed)
• Ruler and pencil (optional, for straight strips)
• Glue or tape (optional, to secure ends if you want it extra sturdy)
• Optional: different colors for a patterned look
Step-by-Step Instructions (Folded Paper Strip Method)
This simplified woven style is based on common paper adaptations of the traditional rush-weaving technique.
1. Prepare your strips
Cut or tear your paper into even strips. Fold each strip in half lengthwise (or widthwise depending on thickness) to make them stiffer and create a “folded” arm like traditional rushes.
2. Start with the first strip
Hold one folded strip vertically with the fold at the top (like an upside-down U).
3. Add the second strip
Take a second folded strip and hold it horizontally with the fold on the left.
Open the fold slightly and slide/enclose the vertical strip inside it (one layer of the horizontal strip goes in front, one behind the vertical one).
The center should now look like a plus sign (+) with the folds creating locked layers.
4. Add the third strip
Take a third folded strip and hold it vertically with the fold at the bottom (right way up U).
Open it and enclose the horizontal strip from step 3 (slide it so one layer is in front and one behind the existing horizontal pieces).
Rotate the whole thing slightly if needed to keep the center tight.
5. Add the fourth strip
Take a fourth folded strip and hold it horizontally with the fold on the right.
Open it and enclose the vertical strip from step 4.
You should now have a basic four-armed diamond shape locked in the center.
6. Continue building layers (optional but recommended for a fuller traditional look)
Repeat the pattern: always alternate vertical/horizontal, and always fold a new strip over/under to weave around the existing arms.
• Add more strips in the same over/under sequence.
• Rotate the cross 90 degrees anti-clockwise after every 1–2 additions to keep the weaving even.
• Traditional paper versions often use 8–16 arms total (4–8 strips, since each is folded).
Keep the center tight with your fingers as you add pieces.
7. Finish the ends
Once it’s the size you want, trim the ends if uneven.
You can glue/tape the outer layers or tie with string/thread for security.
Optional: fold or tuck the loose ends under previous layers for a neater look.
Many people hang the finished cross above the door, in the kitchen, or in outbuildings for protection (a tradition carried over from year to year, replacing the old one).
