The secrets of weaving baskets from the vine. Weaving from a vine for beginners: the best do-it-yourself furniture. Harvesting vines for basket weaving

Weaving from a vine requires careful preparation. The material used willow twigs, which are pre-treated. Proper preparation for weaving from a vine is a guarantee of obtaining high-quality and beautiful handicrafts. From this material, you can make different things, ranging from an ordinary basket to furniture.

Preparation of material for weaving from wicker

The vine is a natural material that does not break when bent and remains straight in its normal state. Due to these properties, it is suitable for weaving various products. What exactly are they weaved from? As a vine, it is customary to use a willow rod, completely covered with bark. It is considered to be the most flexible.

On a note! It takes approximately 200 rods per basket, given that many break.

It is advisable to look for material near the water. In such places, the rods are long and flexible. If you choose them without leaves, after cleaning they will be smooth. Before cutting the material, it is advisable to test it for flexibility. This is easy to do by winding the vine around your finger. The cut is carried out with one stroke of the knife. If leaves are present, they can be removed immediately at the place of collection. To do this, you need to run your fingers along the willow rods, starting from the thick end.

Preparing the vine for weaving

After collecting the branches, the willows are not yet ready for work. They need to be prepared. First they are dried, and then laid out in the sun in a thin layer. This ensures that the wood that is under the bark will leave its color unchanged. After drying, the material should be “revitalized” by lowering it with one end (thick) into the water. It should be at room temperature. Thanks to this, the movement of juice will resume, and the bark will be easily removed.

Soak the vine for about two weeks, periodically adding water as it decreases. If after this period the bark departs well, you can remove it. Otherwise, you will have to continue soaking. If the bark cannot be removed as a result, it is better not to try to do it, but to leave it. Such material is suitable for weaving a rough basket.

If the bark leaves, the peeled branches are dried and sent to storage under a canopy. Before starting work, the vine is again lowered into the water, only this time in its entirety.

Stages step by step: how to weave from willow twigs

On a note! For the 1st lesson, weaving a simple product is suitable. Do not immediately take, for example, for the manufacture of baskets. After gaining experience, you can proceed to more complex things, such as furniture.

How to create a decorative wreath with your own hands? For beginners, a master class is presented step by step:

Photo and video of the weaving process from the vine

You can watch the video below. The Kovalenko brothers teach chair weaving lessons.

Most often, all kinds of baskets are made from such material. They can be large, which are used to carry various vegetables, fruits and other products, or decorative.

If you have patience, the basket is woven quite simply. The following parts are created one by one:

1. Wall frame.
2. The walls themselves.
3. Wall fixing.
4. Fold.
5. Pen.

Here are some diagrams as an example.

The easiest way is to weave a handle. When the main part of the product is ready, its implementation will seem like a trifle.

Handles should be made from the most flexible branches.

The principle is to wind the vine around a branch that is previously attached to the base.

It is desirable that the turns of the rods pass at approximately the same distance from each other.

On a note! There are several types of this craft, which differ in technology. For beginners, the simplest one is suitable, which uses one rod that wraps around the racks on each side in turn. There are also such methods: a rope in two or three rods, layered.

Video: bottom weaving lessons from Lilia Ulanova.

Photo of finished wickerwork from a vine

From willow it is possible to create almost anything. It can be a boat, furniture, sled or just decor items. Products look unusual and are valued for manual labor, attractive appearance.

Safety is of the utmost importance. Such things are made exclusively from natural material, without the use of synthetic substances.

Many people have a wicker basket or other useful things from a vine, but in most cases they are bought in a store ready-made. But if the products are made by hand, it is doubly pleasant. To master the technology, you can watch video tutorials. Weaving from a vine requires patience and perseverance, but the result is worth it.

Basket weaving is growing in popularity. Now it has become fashionable to put furniture and other handmade items in a house or apartment. It is especially nice when they are made with your own hands, and not purchased ready-made in stores. You should not start with complex products, it is better to choose something simple. For example, weave a basket.

Basket weaving material options

For basket weaving, you can use different materials, up to newspaper tubes and plastic bottles. But most often, willow twigs are used. They are pre-harvested and soaked in water or saline, which gives them elasticity. Willow rods are used to create various products: lampshades, furniture and more.

Wheat or barley straw can also be used. It is quite flexible, so it is convenient to work with it. Products made from such material are airy, have a beautiful golden color.

Birch bark is also suitable for weaving baskets. This material is suitable for children's creativity. Thanks to the unique birch bark pattern, the products are unique.

But it is from the vine that the most durable baskets are obtained, which can be used for various purposes.

The secrets of the master and tools for weaving baskets

Before you start weaving from a vine, you need to prepare the following tools:

• knives - it is recommended to use a tool of medium length and width with a moderate sharpness of the blade;
  

  Advice! The knife should be of such sharpness that it freely cuts a thin and medium rod at an angle, but does not damage the wood when peeling from the bark.

• pliers - it is impossible to work with wire without this tool, although it is rarely used;
• Phillips screwdriver - self-tapping screws are used to attach the handle to the hoop;
• marking pencil - some elements in the weaving process require preliminary marking;
  

  On a note! It is not necessary to use special marking pencils that are designed for construction work; you can purchase ordinary stationery.

• ropes - necessary for tying bunches of vines and fixing some elements;
• base board - the whole process of work takes place on it;
  

  Advice! It is desirable that the board was made of solid wood.

• tape measure - required for marking the hoop;
  

  On a note! It is allowed to use a construction tape measure or an ordinary soft centimeter. You can even use a simple rope for these purposes, which is wrapped around the hoop, and then measured with a ruler.

• sandpaper - designed for processing parts in order to roughen them;
• brushes and varnish - it is desirable to varnish the finished product;
• wire - used to temporarily secure certain elements;
  

  Advice! It is desirable to prepare a soft wire made of aluminum or copper having a diameter of about 2 mm.

• self-tapping screws - are intended for fastening of the handle.
  

  On a note! If a fabric handle is provided, there is no need for self-tapping screws.

The diagram below shows the main ways of weaving

Step by step weave a basket of vines

A master class for beginners on weaving an openwork basket from a vine is presented below. The following actions are performed step by step:

The wicker basket is ready.

Video with lessons on weaving an openwork basket

The Kovalenko brothers became famous in this craft. With their participation, many videos have been created. Below are some of them.

Video: how to weave the bottom of a basket.

Video: how to weave a basket handle.

The lessons of basket weaving are detailed in the book by N. V. Sidorenko, which is called “Basket Weaving”. The author offers a practical guide with a step-by-step description. Here are the basics for a novice master: preparation, collection of material, weaving process, visual diagrams.

The book can be downloaded electronically.

Photo of baskets made of vines, made by hand

Wicker baskets look attractive and are valued for being handmade.

Ribbons can be used as decoration.

Such baskets, as in the photo, are suitable for laundry.

And these are suitable for storing or transporting onions or garlic.

A variety of options allows you to use baskets for different purposes.

Weaving is an interesting activity. It is possible to weave various products, up to packaging containers, lampshades or furniture. It is worth noting that they are not the lowest cost. Weaving from a vine requires patience and time, which should be appreciated.

For thousands of years, people have woven baskets from natural materials such as wicker and reeds. Basket weaving is now a useful practical skill as well as a serious art form. If you follow the step-by-step instructions below for weaving a willow basket, the result is a functional basket that can be used at home, while also being beautiful enough to be displayed in public. To get started, proceed to read step 1.

Steps

Part 1

Rod preparation

Take an armful of willow twigs. Baskets can be woven from any flexible cane, grass, vine, or twigs, but willow is the most popular choice because it makes strong baskets when dry. You can make your own willow twigs, or you can buy them at a craft store.

• You will need large bundles of thick, medium and thin rods for weaving the various parts of the basket. Make sure you have enough long thin rods, the longer the better so you don't have to fly out new rods very often.
• If you will be making your own wicker, you will need to dry it before using it. Willow twigs shrink when dry for the first time. Let them dry for a few weeks before using.

1. Soak willow twigs. To use twigs in basket weaving, you will need to soak them to make them flexible. Soak the rods in water for a few days until they bend easily and stop breaking.

   Cut the rods for the base. Choose some thick rods to serve as the base of the basket. Take a pruner to cut 8 willow rods of the same length. The size of the wicker for the base will determine the diameter of the bottom of the basket.

   Make a slot in the center of the four rods. Place 1 rod in front of you on your work surface. With a very sharp knife, make a five-centimeter vertical cut in the middle of the rod. Repeat the procedure with the three remaining rods so that you have 4 rods with slots in the middle.

   Assemble the base. It will be used to weave the bottom of the basket. Lay 4 slotted rods side by side. Pass the 4 remaining rods through the slots of the four rods so that they lie flat and perpendicular to the slotted rods. You should end up with a cross shape created by four slotted rods and four simple rods passed through them. This is the base of the bottom. Each of the 4 groups of rods of the bottom is called a beam.

   Part 2

   Bottom weaving

   1. Insert 2 working rods. It's time to start weaving the basket. Find two long thin rods of approximately the same length. Insert their ends on the left into the base slot so that the rods stick out next to the base beams. These two thin rods will be called workers, they will be braided around the base beams and create a basket shape.

      Double weave to strengthen the base. Pair weaving is a type of weaving that uses two working rods to create a secure base for your basket. Separate the working rods and bend them to the right side to the nearest beam. Place 1 rod above the beam and the other below it. Then reconnect the working rods together to the right of the beam. Now bring the bottom rod up to the next beam, and bring the top one down. Turn the bottom and continue weaving, alternating the location of the two working rods. Continue paired weaving around the four rays until you have weaved 2 rows.

      • Make sure you twist the strands in one direction as you weave.
      • The weave should be tight so that the rows fit snugly together.

   2. Divide the rays of the base. On the third row of weaving, it's time to separate the rods of the rays to form a round shape of the bottom of the basket. Now, instead of braiding groups of rods, separate them and work in pairs around each individual base rod in the same way.

      Add new working rods as needed. When you run out of an old working rod, choose a new rod as close as possible to it. Use a knife to sharpen the tip of the new rod. Insert it between the weaves of the last two rows and bend it towards the continuation of the weaving. Before cutting the old twig with pruning shears, make sure it is held securely in place. Continue weaving the basket with a new working rod.

      • Do not replace more than one rod at a time. Replacing two or more rods in one place can create a weak spot in the basket.

   Part 3

   Weaving walls

   1. Install the side racks of the basket. Choose 8 long rods of medium thickness for the racks of the basket. These will be vertically arranged rods that will form the structure of the walls of the basket. Sharpen the ends of the rods for the racks with a knife. Insert each rack rod to the basket base rod, pushing them as deep as possible towards the middle. Fold up the racks. Trim the base rods with pruning shears so that they end at the bottom edge of the basket, and then tie the ends of the basket rack rods together so they don't fall apart.

   2. Weave two rows with a rope in three rods. For this weaving, 3 working rods are required, with which the racks are braided for fixing. Pick up three long thin rods. Sharpen the ends. Stick them into the bottom on the left side of the three consecutive racks. Now weave in the following order:

      • Continue weaving in this way, always starting with the leftmost working rod, until you have woven 2 rows of rope into three rods.
      • Untie the ends of the racks.

   3. Add working rods for weaving the walls of the basket. Find 8 long thin rods. Sharpen the ends with a knife. Insert 1 working rod behind the rack. Bend it to the left in front of the next post, go behind the next post on the left and bring it forward again. Now insert the second work rod behind the post on the right side of the starting point and do the same: bend it to the left in front of the adjacent post, go behind the next post on the left and bring it forward again. Continue to weave the working rods until each rack has a working rod.

      • When weaving the last two working rods, you will need to slightly raise the first woven rods to make room for slipping the last ones. To do this, use an awl and a long nail.
      • This type of weaving is called the French edge. This fairly common weave creates the upright sides of the basket.

   4. Weave the walls of the basket. Take a working rod, run it in front of the next post on the left, go behind the next post on the left and bring it forward again. Take the next working rod to the right of the first and pass it in front of the next post on the left, go behind the next post on the left and bring it forward again. Continue to weave the whole basket in this way, always taking the next working rod of the right.

      • When you get to the starting point, you will see that the two working rods are behind the last two racks. Both rods must be braided around the racks. First weave the bottom, and then the top. On the last rack, first weave the bottom, and then the top rod.
      • Continue weaving until you have braided the sides of sufficient height, then cut off the tips of the working rods.

   5. Fix the weaving next to the rope of three rods. Pick up three long thin rods. Sharpen the ends. Stick them on the left side of three consecutive racks. Now weave one row of rope as follows:

      • Bend the leftmost rod in front of the two uprights. Get him behind the third post and bring him forward again.
      • Take the next leftmost rod and bend it to the right in front of the two posts. Get him behind the third post and bring him forward again.
      • Continue weaving in this way, always starting with the leftmost working rod, until you have woven a row of rope into three rods.

One of the most ancient crafts is wicker weaving. Imagine, it appeared before pottery! At first, the vine was used as a building material. Over time, people, having appreciated its versatility, found another use for this natural material.

And as a result, wicker products made of wicker have become an integral part of their everyday life. But in our time, this skill has not been lost. Wicker fences and furniture made from this flexible material are especially popular.

Is it difficult?

The execution technique is simple and does not require any special talents even from beginners. With a desire, you can independently learn how to make simple products at home.

You can start with a simple one, for example, with weaving plates and baskets, which are sure to be used in any household. Also, your crafts can be an original gift for your relatives and friends.

If you have any difficulties with self-study, I recommend attending courses for beginners in basket weaving. Who knows, maybe in time you will be able to enjoy the warm summer sun sitting in the garden in your own woven chair?

Vine Harvesting

If you are just a beginner in the art of wicker weaving, then let's not rush things and consider each step in turn. The first thing you should pay attention to is the quality of the material with which you have to work.

Having the opportunity to independently prepare a vine for weaving, consider the following:

• the most favorable time for cutting twigs is winter;
• give preference only to mature wood, this can be determined by the formed top of the plant;
• it is very important to check the material for brittleness. To do this, simply bend the rod 180 degrees. If it remains intact, know that such a blank is quite suitable for highly artistic weaving.

It will not be difficult to buy a vine in the nearest flower shop. Before buying, it will not be superfluous to independently verify the quality of the goods, no one is insured against marriage.

We figured out the preparation. Now is the time to move on to action. In order for your creative impulse not to fade after the first job, start simple. Try to weave a basket. It is always useful in the household, and the technique of its execution is simple.

Weaving technique

The shape of your product depends on the laying of the rods. And there are many such techniques.

I want to talk about the most used of them:

• Simple weaving is when a branch alternately bypasses all the racks. Alternating inside and outside. A very common way of weaving among beginners;
• Double weave. We start as with a single one, then we press each subsequent twig with the previous one and bring it up a little. A kind of wave is formed;
• Three rods. This method will not cause difficulties if you have braided a pigtail at least once in your life. The essence is the same. The first row is a single weave, and then gradually add along the twig. We bring to the amount we need and we braid the pigtail;
• Edge. As a rule, it is formed from the remaining unused racks. We take each of them and alternately wrap it inside the product. You need to act as carefully as possible so that the rods remain intact. For the manufacture of edges, you can also use the "hoop" technique, which is most used in the design of wicker furniture. Take a vine with a diameter of 12-15 mm, stepping back a little from the edge, make a shallow incision and begin to gradually shape it into a circle. To fix the two ends, wire or a strong rope is most suitable. In the process of processing, you can easily decorate them;
• The handle is the most delicate part, as a rule, it is she who becomes unusable first. Therefore, a thick rod is always taken as the basis, without signs of pre-existing knots on it. The length of the handle is equal to half the perimeter of the product. For braiding the handle, use the longest branches, so it will look neat. The lock is the part that connects the handle to your product. We begin to braid the branches that are as close as possible to the handle, first from right to left and vice versa. The end result is a pattern that vaguely resembles a star. The strength of the handle fastening, and hence its service life, depends on the number of such turns.

At each stage of weaving, be sure to remember. Before using the plant material, it must first be soaked in warm water. Thus, you will give him flexibility. That will greatly facilitate subsequent work with him.

Weave a basket of vines

Before starting work, you must decide for yourself what kind of product your product will have. I am now talking about the shape of the bottom, which can be round or oval, and the size. The basket is large or medium in size. This is necessary in order to approximately calculate the required number of twigs to complete the work.

In our time, the fashion for folk crafts is returning, and in particular, for wicker products. It can be original furniture, various baskets, caskets and more. Fans of exclusives pay good money for author's works. Weaving from a vine for beginners can bring a decent income, if you approach the matter seriously and responsibly. In this article, we will take a closer look at weaving from a vine for beginners step by step.

Business registration

If you plan to work independently at home, at first this case may not be registered. But if you are interested in wicker weaving as a business, you need to formalize the enterprise.

To do this, register an individual entrepreneur or LLC. The choice of organizational and legal form largely depends on the planned scale of production. Also, be sure to get permission from the fire department as you will be working with flammable materials.

Product varieties

Vine is a malleable material that is highly flexible. From it you can weave various objects.

These can be the following products:

1. Armchairs, tables, sofas, racks, chairs;
2. Baskets, coasters, bread bins, flower pots, trays;
3. Souvenirs, figurines, Christmas decorations, vases.

Do-it-yourself wicker furniture made of wicker is the most popular. For the manufacture of such products, craftsmen use a technique somewhat reminiscent of macrame, that is, the alternation of knots and loose threads. Our ancient ancestors learned how to create various products from the vine. Modern people began to appreciate environmental materials, so the love for folk art began to revive.

Masters can use different types of weaving in their work:

• solid;
• openwork;
• Spiral;
• Simple;
• Rope weaving.

If you want to master this art on your own, find on the Internet a video of wicker weaving for beginners step by step. But it is best to take lessons from an experienced master who will help you get all the necessary skills. When you understand how to weave baskets from a vine, you can gradually move on to making more complex products.

Procurement of raw materials

The best material that is used for weaving wicker products with your own hands is willow. You should be aware that you can not mix rods from different trees. You can harvest raw materials all year round. Its quality largely depends on what time of year they were cut. In spring and summer, the material has a beautiful milky color. The bark is easily peeled from such rods, and the wood itself has a grassy structure.

In winter, the material is more elastic and durable. It can not be sanded, because the rods acquire a beautiful color of different shades. Combining them, you can make wickerwork from a vine with a pattern. After you cut the rods, they need to be sanded and split into several parts. It is advisable to do this in clear sunny weather so that the rods can dry out a little.

Diagram: vine weaving technique

Technology

As a rule, training begins with a simple wicker weaving technique. This is the main element that is used to make various products. After a simple weaving from a vine for beginners has been mastered, you can move on to openwork.

We act according to the following principle:

• The rods braid the risers;
• The horizontal row goes around the vertical one.

The location of the risers largely depends on how correctly you choose the material. During operation, the strips should be controlled so that they are at the same distance and not twisted. The easiest option is weaving using one rod.

When you figure out how to weave simple products from a vine, move on to making openwork furniture.

Business Benefits

Original do-it-yourself wicker furniture is always in great demand. You will not spend a lot of money on its manufacture. The biggest investment is your time and effort.

If you harvest rods yourself, the cost of products will be low, respectively, you will receive a high income. The most important advantage of such a business is that it does not require large investments. All invested money will be returned within 1-2 months of work.

Staff

When the business starts to develop, you can hire several craftsmen to work. Over time, their number can be increased. In this case, you can divide the production process into several stages. Some workers will deal exclusively with frames, while others will only weave. To diversify the models, invite seamstresses to work, who will be engaged in the manufacture of furniture covers, cushions and other items made of fabric or leather.

Sales channels

The first buyers of your products will be acquaintances and friends. The most profitable occupation is the weaving of furniture from a rod. It can be sold online on your own website or on social networks.

All you need to do is take a picture of your products and put them up for sale at affordable prices. You can be sure that the first buyers will appear in the shortest possible time. In addition, you can sell products in the markets or in your own store.

Financial calculations

To organize a business at home, you will have to spend a certain amount.

Basic expenses:

• taxes;
• Renting a retail outlet or promoting a website on the Internet;
• Shipping costs for finished products.

You can reduce costs if you negotiate with stores and sell your products. As a result, you will be able to save on the rental of a retail outlet and the transportation of products.

For example, in one day you make 2 tables for 6 thousand rubles. For the sale of products, you will pay the store 20% of its value, as well as 6% business tax. For a month, about 35 thousand rubles will turn out. This is your net income.

Price policy

Furniture items can be made as a set or separately. For example, chairs are always in high demand. They cost about 500 rubles. But if you make four chairs and a table, the price of such a headset is already 10 thousand rubles.

The biggest demand is for wicker bedside tables, coffee tables, hangers and more. Rocking chairs also sell well. They are bought in bulk by private sanatoriums and boarding houses.

Related videos Related videos

• Do not immediately take on the manufacture of complex items. Try to weave simple things, such as small baskets or coasters. First of all, you need to figure out how to make a frame, after which you can try to weave a vine into it;
• To give the product the desired shade, you can use special chemical compounds;

• The most common product that is in the greatest demand is rocking chairs. One person can make two such products per day.

conclusions

For start-up entrepreneurs, the idea of ​​​​wicker weaving is attractive because it does not require large financial investments. The market for wickerwork is not yet fully saturated. Basically, consumers are offered expensive imported goods. If you set affordable prices, the demand for your products will be high. And this means that the business will bring a decent profit.