Cross pattern
1 Take a palm frond about one inch wide and 13 inches long. Hold it horizontally.
2 Bend the right end straight up from the center to form a right angle.
3 Fold this same top strip, from the center, back and down, up and over again, to form a square at the back. It will still be a right angle at this point.
4 Bring the left strip forward and fold over the center toward the right. Fold away from you and thread through the square at the back, all the way.
5 Bend the top strip forward and thread the end through the center square to make a shaft of desired length.
6 Fold left strip backward and thread through the back square. This makes the left crossbar and should be in proportion to the shaft.
7 Fold the right strip back to form the right crossbar and thread through the back square to secure. Cut a `V` into the base of the shaft for a dovetail effect, if desired. The finished cross should measure approximately 2 inches wide by 3 inches high.
Pinecone pattern
1 Find a palm that has four strands or gather four individual strands and staple them together at the base. Choose palms that have tapered ends to make a more natural-looking pinecone that narrows at the top.
2 Hold the connected strands in one hand. Use the other hand to bend one strand away from you (pointing north), another strand over this and to the left (pointing west), and another strand over this toward you (pointing south). The last strand should be placed over the third and under the first (pointing east). You should now have a strand going in each direction and a square platform from which to start weaving.
3 Pull the platform tight and continue to fold the strands in four directions, tucking the fourth strand under the first each time to secure your work. You will weave clockwise, then counterclockwise, beginning with any strand. Watch that your weaving stays even and the tightness of the weave consistent.
4 As you approach the end of the strands, you can pull them together to tie off or tuck them in under a previous loop. Put a straight pin in to secure the closure, removing the pin when the palm is dry. The finished pinecone will vary in size, depending on the length of the strands.
The base may be decorated with ribbon and a sprig of dried flowers.
For a wider variety of patterns, visit the following Web site: www.chem.umb.edu/Palms/
You may also contact Sr. Cecilia Schmitt directly at CHT14@juno.com or at (320) 252-1234 to order her book, a second publication containing reproducible lesson plans, or a how-to video on palm weaving.