How to Make a Straw Goat

Make straw goats from long pieces of loose straw.

Straw goats are display goats made from straw and a wood frame. The goats are used for decorations indoors or outdoors. Many professional straw-makers handcraft their straw goats. However, you can make your own straw goat using similar materials and techniques. Always wear thick work gloves to protect your hands when working with straw, as the wet straw can cut into your hands if you do not wear gloves.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Scrap plywood or sticks
• Nails
• Hammer
• Straw
• Large tub
• Velcro ribbons
• Gardening shears
• String

Instructions

1. Make a body frame for the goat from sticks or wood pieces. You can make the goat as small or large as you want, simply adjust the size of the frame accordingly. You will need a back piece, head piece and four leg pieces. Use nails to hold the frame together.

2. Soak the straw in a tub of lukewarm water for about 10 minutes.

3. Take out the straw an armful at a time. Wrap the straw around the frame of the goat. Hold the straw in place with Velcro ribbons. Start with the body, then the neck, then the legs and finally the head. Cut the straw to the appropriate length with gardening shears after wrapping the frame pieces.

4. Tie string tightly around the goat to hold the straw in place. Each section should have two bunches of string at either end of the frame piece.

5. Tie a long bundle of string over the neck piece to make the goat's head. Divide the back of the straw into two sections. Braid each section into a long braid and tie the end with string. Cut the front of the straw to make a head shape and tie the end with string.

6. Roll each braid up near the goat's head to make horns. Hold the horns in place with string. Tie a smaller braid from straw and tie it to the back of the goat for a tail.

References

• Halmbocken: The Making of a Straw Goat