Yarn Stick Weaving: Ojos De Dios

For most of human history, people have made everything we need from the plants, animals, and minerals we’ve found around where we live. Connecting to this tradition, in this project we’re going to use sticks and leftover yarn to make “Ojos De Dios” (God’s Eyes), a traditional weaving that has roots in ancestral cultures of what are now southwestern United States and Western Mexico.

What Are Ojos De Dios?

God’s Eyes are made by weaving a design from different colors of yarn on a cross made of wooden sticks. They are traditionally common some Pueblo communities of New Mexico and among the Wixárika (Huichol) and Tepehuan cultures of Western Mexico.

What Are They Used For?

Traditionally, among both the Wixárika and Pueblo peoples, Ojos de Dios are little objects that embody the whole universe. The Wixárika people make these weavings as little offerings or gifts to the earth that they carry to special places.

They also make them when a child is born. The first color of yarn is wrapped around the sticks when the child turns one, and a new color of yarn is added each year until the child turns five.

You can make yours as gifts for people we love or decorate a special place or special celebration.

What Do Each Color Mean?

The yarns are traditionally dyed with leaves, berries, and minerals. Each color stands for a different element like water, or a direction such as East.

How to Make a God’s Eye

Materials:

• 2 Willow sticks, 5-6”

• Yarn scraps or naturally dyed yarn, cut into 18” lengths

• Scissors

Watch the video below to for a demonstration of how to attach the 2 willow sticks in a cross and the weaving technique, wrapping the yarn around each spoke as you move in a clockwise direction. If it feels good, hum or sing a song as you work or share a story.

Once you’re finished, let us know how you plan to share your God’s Eye in the comments. Will you hang it somewhere special or give it to someone close to you? We’d love to hear from you!