Willow rod: features of weaving, preparation for creativity and reviews

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

Wicker basket weaving is fun and creative, but not easy. In order to create a product from branches, you need to do a lot of work: harvesting raw materials, debarking, painting. Willow weaving is a laborious process, but the beauty that comes out from under the skillful hands of a master is worth it.

Willow

The willow family includes a large number of plants, these are:

• sparrow,
• willow (laurel willow),
• willow (goat willow),
• almond willow,
• vine,
• willow (red flower),
• willow,
• shelyuga.

Plants have different heights and lengths of branches. In nature, there are both shrubs and huge trees 30 m high.

Preparation for work

The first stage of weaving is the harvesting of the vine. There is no way to do without it. Professionals harvest branches for the year ahead. This will take a lot of energy and time, but the resources spent are worth it. The optimal harvest time for residents of the middle lane isAug. Sept. At this time, the vine is already ripe, and the movement of juice along the rods comes to naught. If you prepare raw materials in August, there will be no problems with its removal of bark (barking) and splitting.

Categorically do not harvest in June and July. Last year's shoots are bushing at this time, and the fresh ones are not yet fully ripe. Young shoots are grassy and loose, not suitable for work.

Collecting vines

You can cut the vine while walking in the park or on the banks of a river or lake. It is advisable to devote several days to the collection. Sliced raw materials should be processed in the first few hours after cutting. It will dry up later. It needs to be cleaned and split. If for some reason you could not do this right away, then there is a way out. It is necessary to boil or steam the rods for 40 minutes.

Be careful, untreated rods should not be soaked in a snow-white bath, they will turn it brown due to the release of tannins. It will be very difficult to clean the tub.

Revival method

If you have enough time and don't want to boil the vine, you can use the "revive" method. Place the branches in water, dip the thick ends 5-10 cm. It takes about 28 days to germinate.

Vine coloring

Why should branches be dyed before weaving wicker? Sometimes, in order for the product to “fit” into the interior, it needs to be given a certain shade. Masters for changing the color of natural raw materials use:

• dyes,
• mordants,
• pigments.

In addition to changing the appearance, dyeing protects the product from aging, fading and precipitation.

When collecting raw materials for weaving, pay attention to the fragility of the vine. The main property of willow twigs is rigidity. For weaving different parts of the product, you will need raw materials of varying degrees of rigidity. For example, to weave basket racks, denser branches are needed. Flexible rods are needed to weave the transverse elements.

It is believed that the branches of annual bushes are more flexible, but less durable. It is better to cut raw material from several different trees and determine its hardness in the process.

Master class "Wicker basket from a vine"

The wicker basket is beautiful and functional. Traditionally, Easter cakes are placed in them for lighting in the church on the eve of the bright holiday of Easter. With such a stylish basket, you can go to the market or to the store. Needlewomen can store their materials in them. The younger members of the family are happy to put toys in wicker baskets. When you become a real professional in this business, you can weave a large chest for storing children's treasures for babies.

Materials for work:

• awl,
• a sharp knife,
• rods,
• secateurs.

Take four branches and make a 3 cm hole in their center. Insert four more into these holes. You will get a cross, which will be the basis for further work. Insert two more rods into the cross and begin to braid them. Now you will need to braid each branch separately. tryso that the elements lie evenly and tightly. Gradually you will have an even circle. When you braid the first two circles, then you need to take two more elements and stick them between the first branches.

Basket walls

For the manufacture of walls, a willow rod of medium thickness is needed. First, let's build the base for the walls. Along each rod that makes up the bottom, you need to place a new branch. We remove the ends of old branches. Work continues with new raw materials. We draw each new branch to the left and down, and then up. Do the same for the rest of the elements. The very last rods cannot be bent. They should be twisted around the branches that go at the beginning. Now the elements of weaving must be securely fixed, otherwise the basket will not hold its shape.

Three new branches come into play. We bend the leftmost element to the right in front of other branches that are located in close proximity. We wind them up behind the third weaving element and return it to its place. The same fate must befall the other two rods.

One branch should be added to each rack in a circle. Braid each element of the rack. Add branches until the entire wicker basket is woven. You will need to finish weaving with the help of three elements. All excess should be cut off. The branches that end the racks must be bent down and woven into the product.

Handle weaving

Such wicker crafts as a basket, as a rule,end with a handle. Consider the stages of its manufacture. For the base, you will need a thick branch of a blackberry or a willow twig (vine). Bend the element and imagine in your head what size the basket handle will be. All excess must be cut off. This is an important stage, and the rule “measure seven times, but you may not have to cut” is appropriate here. If you cut off the excess, then the basket will not come out neat. Use a knife to sharpen the ends of the rods and insert them where you would like the handles to be.

Take five thick branches and arrange them around the base of the handle. Pass the excess length over the edge of the basket. This will serve as an additional fixation of the handle to the basket. This must be done on both sides. Next, you need a thin willow rod. They will wrap the handle in several places. That's pretty much everything you need to know about wicker basket weaving. Enough information to try to create your own masterpiece.

Vine wreath

For many nations, the traditional decoration for the house during the holidays is a wreath decorated with cones, nuts, flowers, Christmas decorations, Easter souvenirs. This decor is a talisman and has a sacred meaning. In the process of weaving, you should have pure thoughts. Wish all household members he alth and good luck, and everything will come true.

To create a wreath you will need:

• twine,
• willow rod.

We will start working with pre-prepared branches. Determine the product size. Take four branches and tie them sequentially at the distance of the palm of an adult. Thus we addbranches and close the circle. The base is ready.

Now let's add branches for more thickness of the product. We weave all subsequent rods in a checkerboard pattern, as shown in the photo. In order for the wreath to look neat, all sections should look in the same direction. If you plan to hang it on the wall, then they should be on the back of the product. Fix the willow rod tightly between each other. You can connect the elements together with twine.

When the product is ready, it must be dried. This will take 3-4 days. Do not immediately take on the decor. The branches of the wreath will lose their elasticity and will not try to straighten up. If you notice protruding cuttings, then before decorating the product, they must be removed with secateurs.

Christmas vine stars in rustic style

Christmas decor in rustic style is suitable for a country house. The emphasis here is on the rough texture of natural materials. The shades of products, as a rule, are earthy, muted, but at the same time they create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. In the article, we propose to learn how to make simple New Year's toys in a rustic style - vine stars that can be hung on a Christmas tree or decorate a fireplace with them. Be careful with toys in this style, a large number of such decorative elements can create a heavy atmosphere.

To make one toy you will need:

• 2-3 rods 6 mm thick;
• thin flexible vine branches 3 mm thick;
• copperwire;
• ruler;
• secateurs.

You can make a star of any size. The optimal height is 12 cm.

Take 5 thick sticks. Wind two pairs of thick wire, leave one stick free. Spread the ends of the coiled branches on one side. Form a star out of two pairs. Tape the free stick.

Weave the star

Holding the edge with your hands, remove the wire from one corner. Take a thin willow wand and wrap it around the corner. At the end, make a few turns, securing it in this way. Do the same with the rest of the corners. You will end up with a slightly rough but stylish rustic toy.

Reviews of this craft

Vine weaving is an ancient kind of craft. Among the Slavs, it is passed down from generation to generation. This type of needlework can become an additional source of income for craftswomen. Some are so addicted to this labor-intensive but creative process that they make wickerwork their main job.

Many who start this type of needlework say they have become calmer. The lesson relieves irritability and sets in a meditative mood. Harvesting raw materials is also an excellent opportunity to spend time in nature and do physical labor. This is especially true for people who weave large items or have a large customer base.

Products of this type of raw materials are environmentally friendly and durable. Baskets and household items woven by professionals will last at least a fewdecades. A great gift for young parents - willow toys. Children can safely pull them into their mouths and lick them. Such a present will not bring harm. In the manufacture of items from wicker, harmful impurities are not used. Products do not emit toxic fumes. Baskets made from this raw material can and should be used to store food.

From wicker, stunningly beautiful furniture is obtained: whatnots, rocking chairs, baby cradles and much more. Products are pleasant to the touch, carry the energy of wildlife, have pleasant shades. They fit perfectly into almost any interior. Wicker tables and chairs will decorate your veranda. A wonderful gift for an elderly person and not only - a wicker rocking chair. This piece of furniture was also chosen by nursing mothers.