Palm crosses are made by folding a palm frond into a center square, then shaping the two arms and tucking the remaining strip to secure the cross. A simple version can be done in a few minutes with one fresh palm frond or even paper.

Quick Scoop

  1. Start with the palm frond.
    If it’s a real palm, remove any stringy bits and split it if needed so you have a long, flexible strip.

  2. Make the center.
    Fold the frond near the middle to form a right angle, then wrap one end over and around to create a small square or knot in the center.

  3. Form the arms.
    Fold each side out from the center so the cross has two horizontal arms of equal length.

  4. Lock it in place.
    Take the remaining tail and weave or tuck it through the back of the center to hold the shape together.

  5. Adjust the shape.
    Tighten the folds gently and flatten the arms so the cross sits neatly.
    If you want a simpler craft version, you can also make one from a strip of paper by folding and tucking the ends through a slit.

Easy Palm Frond Method

  • Hold the frond vertically.
  • Bend the top section to one side at a right angle.
  • Fold it back around to make the center square.
  • Bring each side out to create the cross arms.
  • Tuck the leftover strip through the back to secure it.

Tips

  • Use a fresh palm frond if possible; it bends more easily than a dry one.
  • Keep the folds tight so the cross doesn’t unravel.
  • If you’re making several, cut all fronds to similar length first so the crosses look uniform.

If you want, I can also give you a very short 5-step version or a paper palm cross version.