If you are looking for a craft that kids love and is great for groups, look no further. God’s Eyes are made with just a few supplies, and even small children get wonderful results.
God's Eyes originate from the Huichol Indians of Mexico's Sierra Madre. The Huichol bring flowers, arrows, feathers, prayer bowls, god's eye (tsikuri), and other symbolic gifts to deities in sacred caves in the hope of the return of favor and protection. The Huichol not only make wonderfully colorful God’s Eyes from yarn, they also make yarn paintings by gluing yarn to wooden boards in nature-inspired shapes.
This project is great for family, classroom or group craft time. It requires no patterns and uses simple materials. With a little preparation by the adult or teen leader, this project is easy and fun for children.
If you are using twigs, they will need a little preparation. Use small twigs that are about ¼" in diameter. Remove any loose bark from the twigs and make sure they have no weak spots that might break. Cut the twigs to 6"-8" lengths.
Depending upon how much time is available for the craft, you might also want to do the gluing step ahead of time.
Glue two sticks or twigs together in a cross. Use a strong white glue like Elmer's. Let glue dry. This may take several minutes.
While the glue is drying, sort through the yarn and select three or four colors for your God's Eye. Pick colors that go well together, and try to include some light colors and dark colors.
Take one color of yarn and wrap it over and around one stick, then on a diagonal to the next stick and over and around it, on the diagonal to the next stick and over and around it, and so on. Continue for four or more turns around the cross, until the eye is as large as you want. Catch the tail of the yarn as you wrap, so it is held in place.
Tie a length of another color of yarn onto the first one with a tight knot. Wrap the yarn around the arms of the cross as before. Make as many turns around the cross as you like to form a narrow or wide band of this color. Repeat for each additional color until finished.
Tip: It's also fun to make God's Eyes with variegated yarn. For younger children, you can just use a single variegated yarn and avoid the need to tie on other colors.
Glue the final yarn end to the back of the cross to hold it in place. Make a hanger for the God’s Eye with a length of yarn glued or tied to the sticks.
You might also add some decorations—tie on some feathers, add a tassel made from yarn, or attach a string of beads. Use your imagination!
That's it! Your God's eye is
done!
Tip: A quick and easy way to make a God's Eye is with variegated yarn. There's no need to change yarns as you wind.
Tip: Embellish the God's Eye with tassels, feathers, or a string of beads.
Tip: Make two or more God's Eyes from the same yarn colors wound in a different order. They are sure to look fantastic when hung together.
