Making a Straw Star Garland

This project is fun, inexpensive and very easy to do! You may also incorporate geometry by discussing symmetry, angles, shapes. This picture shows our garland through the window from the outside of our home.

1. Find or purchase straw. The straw should be not too dry and not too green. We ended up purchasing ours for $1.25/bundle at Steiner College Bookstore (Call them to order). We had 3 bundles it was more than enough.

2. Soak for a couple of hours in water.

3. Cut each straw in half (knife, exacto blade or scissors...might need parent or older child to help, like Ricky here!).

4. Iron as flat as possible.

5. Position your straw pieces and weave matching thread around the center. Trim the ends of the straws (straight, angle, V).

6. Leave the ends long and knot at the top so that you have a hanger.

7. Crochet chain, braid, lucet, or spoolknit a long piece of yarn. Joey crocheted a chain using a size P hook and some white yarn with bits of gold glitter.

8. Hang your stars on the yarn and attach the yarn to a window, doorway or other place in your home.

Notes: These also make lovely ornaments! Try to layer another smaller star on top of one and then weave them together. Consider using a contrasting color of thread to feature your weaving skills.

A wonderful place to get more information on straw stars is in the book The Children's Year.