Arts and Crafts

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia

Latvia has a long and rich tradition of designs that have been knitted into mittens; woven into bookmarkers, tablecloths, curtains, different articles of the national costume (the sash, skirt, headdress) and others; colored upon eggs; carved onto wooden spoons, letter knives, candle holders, jewelry boxes, furniture and others; glazed upon vases, bowls and cups. Among the designs used are the symbols for God and heaven, the sun, the moon, the morning star or Auseklis, the cross and many others. Using the pattern shown, you can weave a paper place mat for the table, and put this morning star (Auseklis) symbol on it.

Morning star placemat

Materials needed:

Construction paper in two colors
Yellow, orange, or red construction paper squares, 2" across
Scissors
Pencil
Glue

Fold a piece of construction paper in half cross wise. Starting at the fold, cut slits into the paper, stopping one inch from the edge. The slits should be about an inch apart. This will form the base for weaving. Unfold the paper.

Cut a different color paper into cross wise strips, 1" thick. Weave these strips into the base. Glue the ends down to hold them in place. Each strip should be woven opposite of the one before it. Over under over, then under over under, etc.

Now take two squares of paper to form the morning star. (They should be the same color.) Cut a square diagonally. Now put the two triangles on top of one another, and cut the triangles in half to form smaller triangles. Repeat this process with a second square.

Take the eight triangles and arrange them in the pattern shown. Glue on to the place mat, and you have a Latvian morning star!