Review how to do the surgeons knot and clove hitch knot under “important knots to know”.
1 – Soak your straws for 15 minutes in water. Select 7 straws. Place a #22 floral wire down the center of one of the straws, all the way to the head. Tie the 7 straws together using the clove hitch and surgeon’s friction knots just below the heads. Tie snuggly and do not cut the straws. Trim the thread near the knot.
Hold the straws so that the heads are hanging down. Arrange the straws so that the wired straw is in the center and 3 straws are stacked off to the right and 3 straws are stacked off to the left at 90 degrees to the center straw. Hold the bundle near the knot.
2 – Take the BOTTOM RIGHT straw and bring it diagonally across the FRONT of the center straw (to the left to where the center straw and left straws meet). Roll it around the center straw and back to the top of the right stack (360°).
3 – Now take the BOTTOM LEFT straw diagonally BEHIND the center straw. Roll it around the center straw and back to the top of the left stack (360°).
The RIGHT side always starts by going across the FRONT of the center wired straw and around (360°). The LEFT side always starts by going BEHIND the center wired straw and around (360°). Continue repeating this sequence until you have made 5-6 inches of plait.
4 – Next, gather all of the straws straight up and tie closely to the plait using the clove hitch and surgeon’s knots. Roll the plait on a table (like you do when you make a clay snake). This will help make your plait smoother. Trim the thread and trim the ends of the straw in a pleasing shape about ¾ inches past the knot. DO NOT trim the wheat heads.
5 – Bend the end of the plait into a candy cane shape. Then tie a ribbon bow to cover the knot above the heads.
6 – You may also want to tie a loop with fishing line to the top of the candy cane as a way to hang it.
The significance of the Candy Cane:
Did you ever wonder why candy canes are used to decorate the Christmas tree?
A candy cane looks like a shepherd’s crook. We remember how the shepherds came to the manger to see little Jesus that first Christmas night. The shepherds brought their sheep along too and they used their crooks because they loved their sheep and didn’t want them to run away. The small candy canes we hand on our Christmas tree remind us of the shepherds. The colors red and white are special. White helps us remember that Jesus had no sin. Red makes us think about Jesus dying on the cross for us because He loves us. The smell of peppermint reminds us of the spices which the Wise Men brought to Baby Jesus.