Palm Crosses
With palms together,
cut to length. (Longer lengths make larger crosses.)
Split the palms apart
lengthwise. For each cross, you will need two pieces of
identical length & width. (If the green edge of
the palm is wide and thick, cut if off. If one piece is
wider than the other, cut to the same width.)
Form an L with the two
palms.
Fold the vertical palm
over and all the way down. Then fold the horizontal palm
all the way to the left by going behind the vertical
piece.
Turn the palms so that
the horizontal piece is on the top and extends to the
right.
Pull the horizontal
piece thru under the vertical piece. Pull it all the way,
so that the horizontal piece now points to the left.
Turn the palm pieces
over (L shape), and pull the other piece all the way
through. (You should be able to release your hold now
and the pieces should stay together.)
To form the vertical
leg of the cross, feed one end of either palm piece into
the "knot." (This forms a loop on top.)
Gently feed the end of
the other piece through the "knot." This forms
a loop on one side.
Feed the loose end of
horizontal piece into the "knot" to form a loop
on the other side. (Form a figure-eight with this
palm piece. Adjust the lengths to suit your tastes.)
The technique for
making Palm Crosses was a tradition brought to this
country by a Sicilian grandfather who taught his
grandchildren. Today his family still makes the crosses
and shares them with dinner guests on Palm Sunday and
Easter Sunday.
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