Reed weaving is one of the most ancient crafts. Pottery art began with him. Did you know that the first bowls, vases and pots were woven from reeds and smeared with clay? This simple and affordable type of needlework is very popular today.
Weaving from reeds is an easy way to take hands or create something very attractive for home. Attracted by the cheapness of a hobby and the availability of material for manufacture. It is worth noting that the reed is a very convenient plant for weaving, because you can find it anywhere - near ponds and swamps. It is easy to prepare, it is very malleable.
And it is surprising that this is such a simple and affordable material, and baskets, furniture, mats and reed roofs made from reeds are one of the most expensive pleasures. We are pleased to share with you the skills of harvesting and weaving from such an interesting material. It will be easy for you to learn reed weaving skills for beginners. We have prepared enough information about the procurement of material and a successful master class.
What does the reed look like?
This type of plant is one of the most successful for crafts. There are two types of reeds: lake and forest, and the first is of great value.
This is a perennial plant with a thick rhizome. Its stems reach a length of up to 2 meters, in diameter - about 2.5 cm. This species grows most often in water, on or near the shore. Places of growth are lakes, swamps and marshy meadows. It is found almost everywhere in the European part of Russia, it also grows in the Caucasus, in Western and Eastern Siberia.
Pay attention to what the reeds look like, from which we will weave various products (photo - below).
Northern and southern reeds
It is equally important to know what kind of reed is needed for weaving, because a plant from the southern part of our country is significantly different from its northern counterpart.
The one that comes from the northern places is unsuitable for weaving, since its stems are covered with air chambers, rough, bumpy. Because of this, the reed is inelastic, inflexible, and easily breaks when pressed lightly.
But the southern reeds are elastic and flexible, it does not allow moisture to pass through. Its trunk is filled with pulp, due to which the stem becomes elastic and does not break when pressed strongly. This is a very dense material from which you can get chic items.
The surface of a quality, suitable for weaving reeds is smooth, shiny, has a yellowish tint.
A peddig is produced from the southern reeds - thin twigs 10 mm wide, 2 m long, not more than 1 mm in thickness. These thread-like twigs are very strong, elastic, have a pleasant sunny color. They make beautiful baskets, furniture, upholstery.
But how to prepare material for weaving from reeds?
Harvesting reeds
Harvesting not only reeds, but also all other bog plants takes place in June-July. Or in the middle of September. Speaking of reeds, we note that it is harvested in small bunches. It is cut off, washed and processed, removing excess dirt. Before you send the reeds to be stored, it must be laid out under a canopy or spread in the attic so that sunlight does not fall on it. Only when all excess moisture is gone can it be bundled and allowed to dry.
If the rays of the sun fall on the reeds during drying, the material will burn out and become brittle.
Mat
If you are a beginner in this craft, for starters you should try to weave a mat from reeds. This product does not require anything special, including a lot of practice in weaving. You will need twine, reeds and a drop of patience. In return, you will get an interesting, original thing, master the skills of weaving.
The amount of harvested reeds depends on the size of the mat. For a meter meter you need to use a skein of skein, 4 rails and screws.
We will prepare a place for work.
Workplace. Creating a simple loom
For weaving from reeds you need a suitable place. Since weaving and weaving are time-consuming activities, a place under a canopy is necessary so that the product is not damaged in the event of rain.
A loom is also needed. To do this, make a frame from the rails the width of the future mat. Mark parallel rails corresponding to the width of the desired product, mark a centimeter along the entire length. Drive a nail or a checkerboard screw into each marking. Pull the twine into every second centimeter. There should be an even number of segments.
Preparation of material for work
You are almost ready to weave a mat from reeds, but you must prepare the material. To do this, dried reed leaves need to be soaked for several minutes in a trough or bath. They must be moistened so that they do not break. After 5-7 minutes, remove the reeds from the water and wrap in gauze or cloth so that excess moisture quickly disappears. Leave the material for several hours. Just do not overexposure the reeds in the water, otherwise after the product is ready, the reeds will dry out and shrink.
After 2-3 hours, you can start weaving.
Mat weaving
Reed weaving is very simple, let's get acquainted with it. Take one leaf and skip it under each even thread. Start weaving from the bottom of the frame. Skip the next sheet under each odd. The next one is under the even. Thus, you will get a fabric with weaving in a checkerboard pattern or a brick. Weave so the canvas of the desired length.
When you reach the desired size, cut off the extra pieces of stems at a distance of 4-5 centimeters from the thread.
Almost finished product can only fix. To do this, take one stalk and sew it from the wrong side with large stitches. Do it on each side.
Cut the threads in pairs from the screws and tie, tightly pressing to the product. Cut off excess pieces of thread. Your mat is ready. It can be used in different ways: as a rug, as a yoga mat or a cover for the beach. So, the mat is an interesting hot stand or a whole tablecloth to the cottage.
Weaving from reeds can be various things. See which products you can create yourself. What attractive reed roofs, what interesting reed fences.
Very convenient for storing various little things or as decoration in the kitchen are baskets made of reeds. And what a cute wicker beach hat.
Weaving from reeds also involves weaving bast shoes. A very interesting product that can be worn and used as a decoration.