Chamomile Chain

a gift for a new baby

A Chain for Rui, 2018

The best baby gift I ever received was from my sister. It was early June, ten years ago, just after Diogo was born. She arrived with a long chain of chamomile flowers, each one pierced through its fat yellow center with a needle and thread. It was about three feet long, with the ends tied in soft silk ribbons, powdered shades of peach and green. Delicate and fragrant, we hung it gently over his bouncy hammock, where he would nap beneath it. You guys… it was very romantic. And most of us know how unromantic those early days of parenting can be, so I clung to this thing. I still have it. Every year since, I’ve made another. Some are for other summer babies in our lives, some are just for us.

The original chain, 10 years old

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When I get into something like this, I always imagine the reason it feels so symbolic and important is because it probably is. And often, I’m right (hehe). Chamomile has long been valued for its calming and protective qualities. In European folk traditions, it was used to bring peace to the home, temper arguments, and promote restful sleep. Dried chamomile was sometimes hung above doors or windows to ward off negativity. In German folklore, it was even called the “plant’s physician” because it could revive sickly plants. I grew it this year in my garden bed with the cabbages, and I have to tell you, these cabbages are the biggest, plumpest, and cleanest of bug holes I’ve ever grown. So there must be something to it.

If you think about it, the tempering of emotion, the calming of sleep, the warding off of negative energy, the healthy growth… these are all the things we want for a new baby. Whether or not this chain actually does any of these things, the intention is good, and the activity itself is v calming. Sometimes a small, fiddly hand project is just the thing to keep busy while you, or someone you love, waits on a new life. And it will definitely occupy your hands enough to keep you from texting, “Are you in labor yet??” Don’t do that.

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How to Make a Chamomile Flower Chain

You’ll need:

• Fresh chamomile flowers (i grow mine now, but i used to find them at our local farmers market starting in June)

• Needle with a large enough eye for your thread

• Strong thread or thin string (linen or cotton works well)

• Scissors

• Optional: silk ribbon for the ends

Steps:

1. Harvest or gather your flowers.
   Pick fresh chamomile flowers with their centers still firm. Pop heads off stem gently with your fingers

2. Prepare your thread.
   Cut a piece of strong thread about 4–4½ feet long so you have extra length for tying. Thread your needle and knot the end.

3. Pierce the flowers.
   Hold a flower firmly and push the needle straight through the fat yellow center, from the back through the little stem hole to the front. Gently slide it down the thread until it rests near the knot.

4. Repeat and space.
   Continue piercing each flower through its center, sliding them one by one down the thread. You can nestle them closely together for a full chain, or leave a small gap between each for a lighter look.

5. Secure the ends.
   When you reach your desired length, knot the end of the thread tightly so the flowers don’t slip off.

6. Add ribbon (optional).
   Tie a length of silk ribbon to each end of the chain for a soft, finished touch. This also makes it easier to hang.

7. Hang or gift immediately.
   Fresh chamomile will dry nicely in place, holding its shape and scent. Hang it gently above a crib, over a window, or in any spot where you want a little calm.

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