Make An Ojo de Dios
Make an Ojo de Dios by weaving colorful yarn around crossed sticks to explore patterns, symmetry, and creative design while practicing fine motor skills.
About this activity
Make an Ojo de Dios by weaving colorful yarn around crossed sticks to explore patterns, symmetry, and creative design while practicing fine motor skills.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all your materials and find a comfy workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Place the two sticks on top of each other in a plus sign so they cross in the middle.
- 3
Step 3
Wrap a small piece of tape around the crossing point to hold the sticks together.
- 4
Step 4
Cut a length of your first yarn color about as long as your arm.
- 5
Step 5
Tie one end of that yarn tightly around the center where the sticks cross.
- 6
Step 6
Wrap the yarn once around the nearest stick arm and pull the yarn snug.
- 7
Step 7
Turn the sticks a quarter turn away from you so the next arm faces you.
- 8
Step 8
Wrap the yarn once around this new arm and pull the yarn snug.
- 9
Step 9
Repeat Step 7 and Step 8 until your woven square grows a few layers or looks ready for a color change.
- 10
Step 10
Cut a length of the next yarn color about as long as your arm.
- 11
Step 11
Tie the new yarn to the working yarn end with a secure knot.
- 12
Step 12
Continue repeating Step 7 and Step 8 to add the new color and grow the Ojo de Dios toward the stick tips.
- 13
Step 13
Tie the yarn end securely when your design is the size you like.
- 14
Step 14
Trim any extra yarn tails neatly with scissors.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished Ojo de Dios on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make an Ojo de Dios?
To make an Ojo de Dios, cross two sticks into a plus sign and tie them firmly at the center. Anchor your yarn by looping it around one stick, then wrap diagonally over and under each stick while turning the frame a quarter turn after each wrap. Change colors by tying a new yarn end and continue building layers until the center reaches desired size. Tie off, trim ends, and add a loop for hanging. Supervise scissors and small pieces.
What materials do I need to make an Ojo de Dios?
You’ll need two straight sticks or dowels (popsicle sticks or small branches), several colors of yarn, scissors, and tape or a hot-glue dot to secure starts and ends. Optional items: beads, feathers, ribbon for decoration, and a ruler or marker to measure center. For very young children use thick yarn and blunt scissors; for outdoor materials, collect smooth, dry twigs. Replace scissors with safety scissors and keep small decorations supervised.
What ages is making an Ojo de Dios suitable for?
This craft suits preschoolers through teens with age-appropriate support. Children aged 3–5 enjoy simple wrapping with an adult to tie knots and cut yarn; use thicker yarn and larger sticks. Ages 6–12 can work independently, trying color patterns and symmetry. Teens and adults can make complex, large designs. Always supervise scissors and small decorations, and adjust materials to match each child’s fine-motor skills for a safe, rewarding experience.
What are the benefits of making an Ojo de Dios?
Making an Ojo de Dios builds fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and pattern recognition while encouraging patience and concentration. It supports color theory learning and symmetry awareness, and fosters creativity and self-expression. Crafting together promotes parent-child bonding and language as children describe patterns. Mention the Ojo de Dios’s cultural roots with respect—teach that it's a traditional spiritual craft from indigenous Mexican cultures. Use the activity to discuss cul
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I don’t have wooden sticks, tape, or yarn — what can I substitute so I can still follow the steps?
Use two chopsticks, bamboo skewers, or craft sticks for the sticks, secure the crossing in Step 3 with a small rubber band or a drop of school glue instead of tape, and swap yarn for embroidery floss, thin ribbon, or baker's twine for Steps 4–12.
My weaving looks loose or lopsided — what should I check and how can I fix it?
Make sure the center knot in Step 4 is tight, pull each wrap snug in Steps 7–8 with consistent tension, add a bit more tape at the crossing (Step 3) if the sticks move, and retie or tighten the working yarn if the shape becomes uneven.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages so it's safe and engaging?
For preschoolers pre-cut arm-length yarn and pre-tape the sticks (Steps 3–4) and let them do a few wraps in Steps 7–9 with adult supervision for tying and cutting, while older kids can handle thinner yarn, more color changes (Step 10), and growing the design all the way to the stick tips (Step 10).
What are simple ways to extend or personalize my Ojo de Dios after finishing the basic version?
Add beads to the yarn as you wrap in Steps 7–9, create tassels by trimming extra yarn neatly in Step 12, combine several finished Ojos into a garland, or embellish with glitter glue before sharing a photo on DIY.org in Step 13.