Event report - Willow Weaving for Beginners

Saturday 20th March 2010 - Chambers Farm Wood

“A most enjoyable course especially as it was a really awful rainy day - it was nice to be inside with a gorgeous new wood burning stove roaring away”.

Our tutor for the day was a very interesting and informative lady called Susi Mulligan from Louth. Our task was to make an obelisk to take home to grow our sweet peas or runner beans against. The course also included tea and biscuits as welcome refreshments throughout the day!

We used buff willow, a lovely red/brown colour which is grown in Somerset, and green willow grown by Susi locally at Louth. I chose the buff but it needed to be kept moist as it does dry out very quickly. For the spiral effect I chose a mixture of buff and green which was very effective.

We were all given a cardboard box into which Susi had cut eight holes in a circle. We were given 8 long thick pieces of willow which we placed upright into the box in the shape of a wigwam tied at the top. Susi then demonstrated the technique of weaving using 3 pieces of willow which were woven in turn around the uprights. Once these had been used 3 more pieces were inserted (see pictures).

All the way through Susi kept us informed as to our progress, with helpful hints and tips such as using thinner willow than the uprights as they are easier to weave. We also learnt how to preserve willow: cover it in a mixture of pure turpentine and linseed oil each year if you want to leave it out otherwise bring it in over the winter to protect against the cold.

Having already worked with willow I did find it most enjoyable as did the rest of the participants, even the ones who had never worked with willow before. It was amazing how many different styles emerged. Linda, who I worked next to, made the most beautiful obelisk which I will aspire to, as they say - practice makes perfect!!     

Kay Neath