How willow basket weaving

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

Wicker products complement any interior very harmoniously. To create spectacular scenery, you need to have experience. The article will consider one of the ways how willow basket weaving is performed.

To work, you will need to prepare material in advance. Cut rods need to be processed. At the first stage, free from the husk (bark). If the willow branches were cut in the spring, there will be no problems. Otherwise, soak them in cold water, placing a loose bundle in it to a depth of 15 cm. It is advisable to perform the procedure in a warm room or in summer on the banks of a river or lake. When the bark begins to be removed, the material is ready. You can prepare the rods in another way: completely immerse them in a metal cauldron with water and boil. Or using a special machine. Do-it-yourself willow weaving is a fascinating procedure. Let's take a closer look:

1. To create an oval bottom, take a long rod and, bending it over the knee, twist it and form a circle.

2. With the help of the second branch, the created part is strengthened by wrapping it around. It is necessary to monitor the uniformity of thickness.

3. Using the next twig, create a curled diameter of the circle, pulling it together so as to form an oval of the desired size. After fixing, you need to check the symmetry with a ruler.

4. To properly weave a willow basket, you need to take two groups of 4 twigs and put one under the curled diameter (perpendicular to it) to the right of the center of the bottom, and the other above it to the left side, leaving equal gaps.

5. Then, the twigs are alternately inserted parallel to the twisted diameter and denser to it: first, under the right group of tubes, over the bundle on the left, and then the twig is inserted under the bottom edge. In the same way, insert the remaining rods, alternating direction.

6. Approaching the edges, you need to cut the branches from the group of tubules so that they do not interfere with the formation of the bottom.

7. Raise the risers and create supports: for future handles - 4 twigs on each side, on the rest - 2. There should be 18 supports in total.

8. Cut the twigs (if necessary) that form the wall struts, tie them from above.

9. Inserting new willow branches, we begin to braid the wall using the preferred pattern (weaving through one rack, layered, etc.). They are built up by applying the cut one end to the other, overlapping 3-4 racks. Willow basket weaving works best with contrasting colors of wicker, such as light yellow and brown.

10. When the desired height is reached, we form the base of the handle. To do this, take a thick reedstick, sharpen its ends and smear them with wax. Then thread into the recesses next to the racks, placing in the center.

11. Next, a bend is formed without touching the four rods on both sides for the handle. To do this, one branch should be drawn inside the basket, and two outside, creating a curl.

12. Trim the ends inside the basket.

13. Using the four rods left on the sides, wrap the base for the handle on each side.

14. Bring the tips under the created bend and carefully trim them.

When the weaving of the willow basket is completed, the product can be dyed with both artificial and natural dyes: onion peel, potassium permanganate and some plants. To improve the aesthetic appearance and safety, the work is covered with a good varnish. According to a similar algorithm, weaving baskets from a vine.