Threads 49: Instant flowers
Here is a fun way to use up your old coloured reed. You don't need much to make the flowers. Just a heavier material, such as #3 or 4 for the stakes, and any fine material for the weavers. The stalk is a piece of willow or a similar material which is quite long and strong.
It is a good summer project, and can be done by anybody who has had a bit of experience with pairing weave and making a scalloped border.
You need#3 reed, 5 stakes 36"1 willow rod 36 "#2 reed for weavers
Original Basketry Express article (1999) on Instant Flowers
Make the flower centre by placing three stakes over three stakes and include the willow rod. Use a long weaver fold almost in half, and pair around the centre for a few rounds. See Figure 1.
Divide each groups into 2 sections and continue weaving. See Figure 2.
Now divide into individual stakes. See Figure 3.
Continue weaving for a few rounds. Tuck in the ends. Leave a space, change colours continue pairing for a few more rounds an tuck in the ends. See Figure 4.
Now make the scalloped border: Ensure all the stakes are equal length. Take a stake and bend it over carefully across two stakes and take it down beside the third. Take each stake one by one and repeat to the end. See Figure 5.
If the flower is too top-heavy, add an extra stake for support.
Happy gardening
