With St. Brigid’s Day just around the corner, why not celebrate by crafting your own traditional St. Brigid’s Cross? This cherished Irish symbol has long been associated with blessings and protection for the home. Here’s an easy step-by-step guide to help you create your own:

What You Need:

• 16-20 rushes, straw, or long blades of grass (fresh, flexible materials work best).

• Scissors.

• Twine, string, or small elastic bands.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare Your Rushes:

   • Trim the rushes or straw to ensure they’re even in length (around 25-30cm long).

2. Start the Cross:

   • Take one rush and hold it vertically. This is the base of your cross.

   • Fold a second rush in half and wrap it around the middle of the first rush, so its ends point out horizontally.

3. Build the Arms:

   • Rotate the two rushes 90 degrees clockwise.

   • Fold a new rush in half and loop it around the horizontal rush to create the next arm.

   • Repeat: Rotate the entire cross 90 degrees, fold a new rush in half, and loop it around the rush that is now horizontal.

   • Continue this process until each arm has an equal number of rushes (usually 4-5 per arm).

4. Secure the Ends:

   • When your cross is the desired size, bind the ends of each arm tightly with twine, string, or elastic bands to hold everything in place.

5. Trim and Finish:

   • Trim any uneven ends to tidy up the cross.

   • Your St. Brigid’s Cross is now complete!

Tip: Hang your cross near the entrance of your home for protection and blessings throughout the year.