Materials needed for this
beginner's wheat weaving project:
- 10 matched straws with seed heads attached.
- 3 matched straws with or without heads (to make a braided top loop hanger, not shown in pictures).
- Waxed string for making the ties (dental floss works).
- A 12" by 12" piece of cardboard or styrofoam for a "pinning board" for shaping and drying the project.
Preparation:
- Select 13 similar straws (diameter and seedhead appearance).
- Trim straws just above the first joint (node) and slip off the leaves.
- Soak these straws in hot tapwater for about an hour until they feel "bouncy and flexible" (weigh them down to keep them from floating during soaking).
- If straws crack when you try to bend them, let them soak longer.
- To take a short break once you start the project, keep straws wet by wrapping them in a damp towel.
Steps:
- Tie together 10 straws about one-quarter inch below the heads.
- Separate so that you have 3 straws on the left, 3 on the right and 4 in the middle.
- Tie the 4 straws in the center at a point 3" from the first tie (away from the heads).
- Braid (just like braiding hair) each set of 3 straws for at least 6" and tie off (make both the same length).
- Form a heart by bringing the ends of the two braids to the 4 center straws at the tie made in step #3.
- Make sure there are no twists in the braids.
- Tie the 2 braids to the 4 central straws at the tie made in step #3.
- Using 3 more straws with or without heads make another 6" braid (not shown).
- Form a loop with the braid you just made and tie it at the step #3 tie location (not shown).
- Wet the figure and pin it to a piece of cardboard so it can dry to its final shape (not shown).
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