By Sam | Sam & Herc Journey
There is something special about taking a few pieces of wood and turning them into something meaningful.
Recently, I decided to challenge myself by making a woven wooden cross. I had never made one before, but I liked the design and wanted to see if I could figure out how the pieces fit together.
What started as one woodworking project quickly turned into three crosses, each teaching me something different.
And that’s what I enjoy about woodworking. I’m not in a hurry. I enjoy the process, the challenges, and the satisfaction of figuring things out with my own hands.
Cross #1: Figuring It Out
My first woven cross was all about understanding the design.
Unlike a traditional wooden cross, this one uses four interlocking pieces that create a woven appearance. The challenge is cutting the joints so everything fits together correctly.
I quickly learned that measuring and cutting were only part of the process. Getting those pieces to interlock was another story!
Some joints were too tight, and getting everything assembled required patience and adjustments.
But when I finally saw the cross come together, I felt a real sense of accomplishment.
It wasn’t perfect, but I had made my first woven cross.
That was enough motivation to try another.
Watch My First Woven Cross on YouTube
Cross #2: Learning the Half-Lap Joints
For my second cross, I wanted to improve the joinery.
I used a hand chisel to clean out and shape the half-lap joints. This gave me a better understanding of how much wood needed to be removed for the pieces to fit.
I learned that a joint doesn’t have to be forced together to be a good joint. In fact, forcing the pieces can damage the wood.
The goal was to get the pieces to fit snugly without putting unnecessary pressure on them.
There was something especially satisfying about using a hand chisel. It took more patience, but I enjoyed having direct control over the cuts.
Every adjustment taught me something.
Cross #3: Getting More Comfortable With the Process
By the time I started my third cross, I felt more confident.
This one was made from pine, a wood I enjoy working with.
I continued refining the half-lap joints and discovered that slightly easing the sharp edges with my chisel helped the pieces slide together more easily.
It was a small adjustment, but it made a difference.
I also began paying more attention to the alignment of the pieces and the overall appearance of the finished cross.
The third cross wasn’t about rushing to finish another project. It was about applying what I had learned from the first two.
Three Crosses, Three Lessons
Looking at all three crosses side by side, I can see how my woodworking skills are developing.
The first cross taught me how the design works.
The second taught me patience and the importance of fitting half-lap joints.
The third helped me become more comfortable using my tools and making small adjustments to improve the finished product.
What I enjoy most is that these weren’t made by simply pushing a button on a machine. There was measuring, cutting, chiseling, sanding, problem-solving, and plenty of learning along the way.
And that’s the part of woodworking I enjoy.
What’s Next?
I’m already thinking about how to make the next cross even better.
Eventually, I’d like to develop templates or jigs that will help me make consistent cuts while still enjoying the hands-on craftsmanship.
I may also experiment with different woods, finishes, and designs.
But I’m not interested in turning something I enjoy into something stressful.
For me, woodworking is about peaceful progress, learning something new, and enjoying the satisfaction of making something with my own hands.
Three crosses down, and plenty more to learn.
Thanks for following along on my journey.
Sam
Sam & Herc Journey
https://samandhercjourney.com
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