Brigid's Cross is a cross with even length arms. The arms are joined off center to the left and often (though not in this picture) taper down to points at the ends. It looks like figure 1.
Brigid's Cross can be physically made in a variety of ways. You can draw, paint, or carve it in the above pattern, of course. Four (or groups of four) people can create it in ritual by joining hand as in figure 2.
Common in Ireland was the form of Her cross made in woven wheat. Since we tend not to have wheat available in our culture, you can create Brigid's Cross in rope. The weave works in string, but without the width, you won't be able to see the pattern. Take a piece of rope about 5 feet long and ¼ of an inch in diameter. Tie the ends together to make a loop. Lay it out like figure 3 (put the part with the loop knot at the end of any of arms).
Now fold the bottom arm over the arm to the left of it. Don't fold it from the center, leave a little space. Then fold (now from the center) the left arm over what was the bottom arm and over the top arm. Next fold the top over the ex-left arm and over the right arm. Finally, fold the right arm over the ex-top arm and tuck it through the loop formed by the extra space at the top of the ex-bottom loop. Basically, move each arm as in figure 4.
The picture is a bit tricky, but when you try it, it is pretty simple. Remember, the last arm goes under the first. Now, gently tug it tight by pulling on the arms. OK, this looks like Brigid's Cross, but you are not done. Take each of the arms and fold them over again, the same way you did the first time. That will make your knot much more stable and will make it into Brigid's Cross when looked at from either side.
You are done. You can untie your original loop knot and tape the ends together to make a "perfect" cross, or you can leave it as a loop and use it as the spot for a pin to hang the cross on a wall. For real traditionalists, this is the pattern you use when making Brigid for Brigid's Bed rituals. Make the arm with the loop knot longer than the others and untie it at the end to make legs. Make the arm opposite the legs shorter to make the head. The other arms just stay arms.
Brigid's Cross is Her sign. Put it on your altars or use it in your rituals dedicated to Her. When I was travelling around Ireland, I was amazed at how many of Brigid's Crosses I found. She (in Her saint form) is the female patron saint of Ireland and it shows. Especially moving was seeing Her cross emblazoned over Her holy well near Kildare. It is enough like the Christian cross to keep the Christians happy, but it is different enough to show Her pagan origins. Knots and knotwork are an Irish/Celtic tradition. It is only natural that the rituals and worship of this most Irish goddess use them.
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