Straw stars
I posted these on instagram the other day and folks lost their everloving minds.
I’ve tracked down the stuff you need to make them, and linked it all up here under the Straw Stars tab.
You should know a couple of things before you fall too much in love with them. And I’m going to be quite firm about this. First, Shipping Is Expensive. Most of this stuff seems to be shipped from Germany, and that’s expensive and slow (this is my polite way of saying if you send me a note or leave a comment saying ‘shipping is expensive’ I’m going to first roll my eyes and then say ‘yes, yes it is’). Second The Books Are In German. This is a German craft (or at least that’s where I learned about it…it seems to also be done in Denmark and Sweden and maybe Poland and very likely other places too), that’s where all the supplies I found come from, and that’s the language the books are written in. You’re mostly interested in the pictures, but you should totally know ahead of time that the text is in German (this is also my polite way of saying if you send me a note saying ‘the book is in German’ I’m going to first sigh then roll my eyes and then say ‘yes, yes it is’). And finally, I’m totally not teaching you how to do these. I’ll show some pictures of how I make mine. But this is my hobby, and explaining things is my job, I’m absolutely positively not making my hobby feel like my job. Now, with all that out of the way…
The stars are made of straw which you split into pieces (2 or 3 or 4 or 6 of them depending on what size you want, mine are all split into 6), arrange on a little form, and tie off with thread.
That’s the thing I use to split mine, you just shove the end of the straw over that asterisk looking bit and it splits them in pieces.
Then you arrange the pieces in an orderly way on the form. You make different patterns by using different numbers of pieces and by placing them in different positions and in different orders on the form (this is the bit the book will show you how to do…and I will not show you how to do, because I’m mean and lazy and heartless and want this to stay a hobby and not a job…but I’ll tell you what to google at the end if you want to find videos of it).
Once they’re in position, you put the top part of the form over them to hold everything still while you tie it all off.
I use crochet cotton to tie it off (you need something thin, strong, and not at all stretchy…think thread, not yarn). It gets much more tidy and orderly as you tie it off.
Now you trim it. Trimming takes an age, it will absolutely wreck your scissors, and it sends little bits of straw flying everywhere.
It also makes the whole thing take shape…so you have to do it anyway.
You can vacuum when you’re done.
And get your scissors sharpened.
When you’re all done, trim and tie the ends of your string and use it to hang your ornament (on the tree…in the window…whatever makes you happy).
If you want to do it yourself, this is what I could find on amazon from sellers that will ship to the US (that’s totally an affiliate link…I spent a day of winter break taking photos and tracking down links and writing the post, I’m absolutely using affiliate links in it). You’ll need the straw and the form for sure. And if you can track down a splitter, you’ll save your thumbnail (you can do it by hand, but I don’t really like splinters under my fingernails, so I don’t do it that way).
If I wanted to start doing this, I’d order the kit that comes with the giant form, a splitter, a book, and a little bit of straw. If you just know you’re going to adore doing this and want to make zillions and zillions, you can get the giant bundle of straw and the smaller forms. And yes, yes the shipping is expensive. I know because I order the straw every year…it’s cheaper than a plane ticket.
If you’re comfortable using amazon.de, you may be able to get them to send a lot of this to you for way way less (they won’t generally ship the straw to the US, but they will ship the tools). You may well be able to find things on etsy too (I know for sure the finished stars are available on there) or elsewhere online.
If you want to go on a google adventure, try looking for “strohsterne” (that’s straw stars) or “strohhalme” (that’s the straw). A company that makes the forms is KnorrPrandell and the name for them is “legeform” (I’m pretty sure that literally means laying form, as in the form you lay the pieces on), and the splitter is “strohspalter” (that’s straw splitter). So searching for “legeform für strohsterne” will find you lots of goodies (and also plenty of videos of people making them if you want to watch someone who is not me show you how to do it).
And you’ve got plenty of time to make a whole tree full for next year if you’re feeling ambitious!
gorgeous!
and thank you for the detailed info; i have no interest in making them, but enjoyed reading. also, imho, it seems you have offered more than enough teaching as one would need to get started…
i’m a teacher, and recognize another, even when he says he’s mean and absolutely won’t teach! you’re a funny one!
Love the stars and will be laughing for days over the blog post!!!!
Thank you so much for using a day of your winter break to share these with all of us!!! They are beautiful and I have time to Plot and Plan!!!!
I started searching for kits/books after seeing your post, I have totally wanted to make these after seeing them on a Christmas tree that was Scandinavian-themed a few years ago but couldn’t find any resources on how to make them. This weekend, I found a place online that sells strohsterne kits and includes an English translation of the book- The Straw Shop. I ordered it and it included USPS tracking and says that it was shipped from Sacramento. Everything on Amazon was in German and was going to be shipped internationally. I can’t wait to try making these!! Thank you for introducing me to a new craft- I’m sure my husband appreciates it too 😂
You’re awesome and hilarious! Thanks for sharing your intriguing and beautiful hobby.
Thank you — this is the first time I might not be frantically crafting gifts all December, if I order the book and materials now. 🙂
Awesome thank you Hunter. I ordered the beginner kit from the straw shop Tks to Alisha for the tip.
Unfortunately I have found out that if you live in the UK you can not get delivery!
Such a shame would love to have a go at making these .
Hmmm…if I type strohsterne into amazon.co.uk it brings up pretty much all the stuff you’d need…
Thanks for the info and your honesty! Good luck in this venture-what you’ve made is beautiful!!
Love your stars! This brought to mind a similar craft, that of wheat weaving. There are many, many examples on Google images. I first learned of this when I lived in Kansas. I think it was an early American import from the European traditions that include the straw stars. Also, the supplies are much less expensive, including the shipping!
So this holiday season I decided that what I really like to make is ornaments – metal, wool, woven, knitted, paper, cross stitch, beads – I love it all. This is perfectly in keeping with that decision and I am ON IT! Ordered everything and will have a tree full next year! THANK-YOU for the post.
Omg! Shipping is so expensive! Did you know the books are in German?! 😂
Your post is hilarious! I’m definitely interested in this craft now!
Snort. Yes…yes I did!
I found a US source for some of the supplies : https://thestrawshop.com/shop-now/
I haven’t ordered from them yet but will try when I need new supplies.
German Corner LLC (www.germanplaza.com) has kits with English instructions or translations! Bought the beginner kit last night—so excited to try this out!
And I love your attitude! You absolutely should use affiliate links after taking all that time. Your work is beautiful, and I can tell I don’t have the coordination now that could make them, but I certainly admire yours. I think the wreath-looking one is my favorite. Hey, I heard a rumor the shipping is really expensive! LOL Thanks for showing this beautiful craft I never saw before, in spite of German heritage.