Star Weaving Photo courtesy of Maryann Talia Pau
Learn to Weave an 8 Pointed Star
If you would like to join One Million Stars Texas star weaving community and weave stars for future star installations, you can use any of the following materials you may have at home to weave stars: ribbon, paper, magazines, newspaper, gift wrapping paper, old maps or grasses that have a wide flat leaf. As long as the lengths and widths of your 4 strands are the same, you can weave a star! In the star weaving PDF tutorial and video (see below) the ribbon stands are approximately 21 inches length x 1-inch width. If your strands are shorter, you can tape them in the middle to get the desired length. It may also be helpful to have 4 different colored strands to weave with as you get started. If you are in Austin, a couple of great places to purchase art and craft supplies is Austin Creative Reuse and USE2 Neighborhood Reuse Center - they have a variety of materials to weave stars with at low cost. If you don’t have any supplies available, please reach out to request a star weaving kit.
Already star weaving? Message us to make arrangements for pick up or delivery of your woven stars to be included in upcoming star installations.
Watch this star weaving video tutorial to learn how to weave an 8 pointed star. Video by Maryann Talia Pau, Founder of One Billion Stars, formerly One Million Stare to End Violence Project. The star weave takes about 5 – 10 minutes and is a medium level weaving skill level. After weaving 3 -5 stars, the weave becomes easier. Many star weavers have found that when you start teaching others, it becomes embedded in your muscle memory.
Weaving stars helps us to remember that we need regular and sustained conversations to address violence in our local communities.
If you would like to weave a star without cutting the ends off, learn 3 ways to finish your woven star here
Credit: One Billion Stars, Photo courtesy of Maryann Talia Pau.
3 Reasons to Star Weave:
Participating in the arts can boost mental wellbeing. There’s lots of science out there but here’s something you should know: ‘Cultural activities encourage gentle movement, reduce social isolation, and lower inflammation and stress hormones such as cortisol,’ Dr Daisy Fancourt. University College London’s MARCH mental health network. ‘The arts are linked with dopamine release, which encourages cognitive flexibility, and they reduce our risk of dementia.’
Star weaving brings people together. Despite the impact and restrictions of Covid-19, we have connected with communities in Texas, parts of the USA, Mexico and Canada. Together we are learning, growing, sharing through the technique of star weaving. We can work together to build empowered, connected communities. Star weaving is an intergenerational activity.
Star weaving can help educate and raise awareness. We are weaving stars as symbols of light, solidarity and courage to end all forms of violence. Weaving stars is a gentle way to start difficult and uncomfortable conversations by focussing on building safe and respectful relationships. One star at a time.