DLTK's Bible Activities
Beaded Cross Hanging

Thank-you to Louise for sharing this idea!

Note:  When you're making this you'll find it "hangs funny" and you'll worry that it isn't going to work, but once you hang it up against a wall or refrigerator, it will hang like the one in the photo above  (it just needs a solid surface and a bit of gravity to straighten it out).

Using regular pony beads, it's about as long as a pencil when it's complete.
 

Materials:

• straw
• string, wool or ribbon
• pony beads -- any colors will do.  I used: 
  • 94 yellow
  • 22 purple
  • 4 mauve
• scissors
   

Instructions:

• print out the template (it includes most of the directions on this page along with the pattern for how to make this project)
   
• Cut 4 strings 1.5 to 2 feet long
   
• Make a slip knot in the center of each string
   
• Slip the knot over the straw
   
• Put 15 yellow beads on the first strand of string.  Tie the last bead tightly onto the string.
    
  • string 2 and 3:  5 yellow, 2 purple, 8 yellow.  Tie the last bead tightly
  • string 4 and 5:  3 yellow, 2 purple, 2 mauve, 5 purple, 3 yellow. Tie the last bead tightly.
  • string 6 and 7:  5 yellow, 2 purple, 8 yellow.  Tie the last bead tightly.
  • string 8:  15 yellow.  Tie the last bead tightly.
     
• Optional:  thread the pipecleaner through all the bottom beads.  I find this helps keep the project hanging nicely.
   
• Thread a string through the straw and tie in a loop to hang.
   
• Trim the leftover strings
   

Templates:

• Close the template window after printing to return to this screen.
   
  
• Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).
   

Template     (color)     (B&W)

Printable version of these instructions