Weaving Happiness

IF YOU’RE CRAFTY AND HAVE THE GARDEN SPACE, IT CAN BE IMMENSELY SATISFYING TO GROW PLANTS YOU CAN MAKE INTO BASKETS, PLACEMATS, HATS AND MORE

- Claire Bickle

Natural handcrafts are back in vogue with more people wanting to reduce their carbon footprint, avoid plastics, reject consumerism and return to some of the old ways of living.

Weaving is a great example — and a way to utilise a wide range of plant species. Sourcing natural materials for crafts such as weaving can sometimes be a bit tricky and even dictated by the seasons. So why not grow your own?

Whether you live in a temperate or tropical climate, there are many plant species that can be easily grown, harvested, dried and prepared for use in weaving creations. You could be making beautiful and practical items, from simple ropes to complex wall hangings, mats, baskets, wreaths and artworks.

If you have an abundance of something in your yard that looks like it might lend itself to craft, then why not have a go? Test it. If a plant twists flexibly around your finger when fresh, it may very well be pliable when it is dry.

Test plants in different seasons to give you a true overall assessment of their potential for weaving. Some plant species are best woven when fresh and others when dried and dampened at the time of weaving. Some of our choices here are not suitable for backyards, but the fallen foliage of wild plants, such as pandanus, can often be easily collected.

BASKET WILLOW TREES, SALIX SPP.

There are many willows that are adored by weavers around the world: weeping willow, pussy willow, almond willow and more. Most willows will happily grow in a variety of conditions and soil types, but they do prefer moist soil and ample water.

In Australia, all willows are listed as invasive weed species except weeping willows (Salix babylonica) and two sterile forms of pussy willow (Salix reichardtii and Salix x calodendron).