• 5 straws, 6' of waxed string, scissors and ruler.

Preparing the wheat for weaving:

• Prepare straws by trimming bottom of the straws just above the first joint (node) and slipping off the leaves. (Note: if you purchased a kit from us the straws have already been trimed for you and this step is not required.)
• Select 5 similar straws that are a least 13" long (not counting the seed heads).
• Cut off the seed heads about 1/2" below their bases.
• Soak these five 13-inch straws in hot tap water for about an hour.
• If big end of straws crack when you try to bend them, let them soak longer.

1. After soaking the five straws, cut each straw into two 6" pieces.
2. Set aside one set of 5 straws for a second figure.
3. Line up the remaining set of 5 straws side by side, placing a tie string under them at their centers.
4. Hold the straws side-by-side on a flat surface and tighten the tie letting the straws fan out as you tighten the knot (see Figure 5-1).
5. Tie the straws together in pairs, making all 5 ties exactly 5/8" from the center (see Figures 5-2).
6. Tie the end of each straw to the end of the nearest straw in the adjacent pair (see Figure 5-3).
7. You've made a star - it should look something like the one in Figure 5-4.