Winter is the perfect time to make a stick wand to add a bit of magic to your winter walks! Plenty of new growth can be found on trees and shrubs at this time of year which is ideal to take cuttings from as the new growth is usually quite flexible and can be bent into a heart-shape.

What you will need:

• 2 long, bendy sticks for each heart wand - willow, hazel and dogwood work well

• Coloured yarn/thread

• Yarn needle if your thread is lightweight

• Secateurs

• Scissors

What you need to do:

First you will need to go on a walk or for a wander in your garden to cut your sticks. They need to be quite long - at least 50cm - and very bendable. Willow, hazel and dogwood will all work well but at this time of year, you might find that other new growth stems also work - you can test the flexibility of the stem before you cut it to make sure it won’t snap.

Use your secateurs to make a clean cut where the stem meets a main branch when removing your chosen stick.

Once you have all your supplies, take your yarn and tie a loop at one end and slip this over one of your sticks. Take another stick and hold the two sticks together with the tips lined up, then gently bend the tips down to create a heart shape.

Where you are holding the tips against the length of the sticks is where you will tie the sticks together, so let go of the tips and carefully slip your loop along the stick to this point and then wrap the thread tightly around both sticks about 6 times.

Bend the tips down again to form your heart and then secure in place with your thread.

Carry on wrapping the thread around the sticks until you reach the top of your heart. Wrap the thread tightly around this point several times to secure the heart shape.

Pull the thread across one side of the heart and wrap around the edge of the heart twice, making sure there isn’t any slack. Pull the yarn across to the middle and wrap around twice, then pull to the other side and wrap again. Carry on pulling the thread across the heart and wrapping around the stick.

If your thread is lightweight, you might find that it is easier to use a yarn needle to thread through the gaps as they get smaller rather than using your fingers.

Once you are happy with your heart, bring the thread down to the base of the heart and tie a knot.

Trim the ends of your sticks to the length you would like your wand to be and then secure the ends together by wrapping some thread around them.

Alternatively, instead of wrapping your thread across the heart, you can carry on wrapping the thread around the stick and all the way around the heart.

Now your wand is ready to take on adventures! Wave it around, cast spells, stir potions and turn grown-ups into frogs!

Author: Denise Hope, home educating mum of two boys

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