Weaving with Trees
- crickhowellguildwsd
- Aug 22
- 1 min read
Updated: Aug 23
One of our members Roz, has been working recently on an innovative, sculptural weaving project using twigs and branches as naturally formed, rigid frames for warping and weaving inbetween.
Roz's "Big Branch" project began with some experimentation with weaving between smaller forked twigs, before moving on to the bigger piece pictured here. We thgink you'll agree it's v beautiful.
Weaving directly onto a birch branch cut from the garden, working with loose tension is a given. Notches cut into the wood support the hemp and waxed cotton cord warps. Temporary frames with bamboo canes, and large clippets to maintain warp spacing were used to support the longer cross-cross strips of weaving.
The weft comprises a range of home spun and remnant yarns along with Christmas ribbons, garden string, feathers and sari silk. Basic plain or tabby weave is interspersed with knotting and weft wrapping, catching wooden beads and an old earring into the design. Depending on the yarn used, fingers, large beads and a hair grip were used to weave.
Inspired by an online article Roz recommends the following links, for those interested in finding out more about "branch weaving":
You can see Roz's "Big Branch" piece at our exhibition in Abbey Dore as part of the Herefordshire H Arts week during September. More details on this exhibition soon but do come in and see us, members will be demonstrating spinning and weaving and we will have lots of other lovely work on display as well as items for sale on our stand.
