Preparing the flax strips for your square basket
Details
This design requires 2 sets of an even number (4, 6, 8 etc.) to create the square base and parallel sides. These 2 sets will be woven together at right angles or perpendicular to one another.
The larger the number of strips the bigger the floor area of the basket will be and the shorter the walls can be. Using more strips increases the difficulty and time involved in fabrication.
Making a very small basket (2 sets of 4) is fiddly so start with 2 lots of 6 as demonstrated here.
Split the flax leaves into strips of a uniform width between 15 and 25mm. The wider the strips the more they will shrink as they dry resulting in a basket with more gaps. Smaller strips can be woven tighter and produce a smaller but tidier and stronger basket.
The larger the number of strips the bigger the floor area of the basket will be and the shorter the walls can be. Using more strips increases the difficulty and time involved in fabrication.
Making a very small basket (2 sets of 4) is fiddly so start with 2 lots of 6 as demonstrated here.
Split the flax leaves into strips of a uniform width between 15 and 25mm. The wider the strips the more they will shrink as they dry resulting in a basket with more gaps. Smaller strips can be woven tighter and produce a smaller but tidier and stronger basket.
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How to weave a simple flax basket
Flax is an easy to grow New Zealand native with heaps of uses around the garden as well as the flowers being a food source for bellbirds during late spring and early summer.
Follow basic step by step instructions and guidance to learn what you need and how to create your own woven flax basket.
Follow basic step by step instructions and guidance to learn what you need and how to create your own woven flax basket.
Related
Practical uses for flax
New Zealand Flax, the native Phormium tenax, is an excellent plant to include in the forest garden. Not only does it grow in almost all conditions from wet to dry and full sun to shade, flax has some great practical applications.
The plant produces tall flower stalks that feed native bell birds. These stalks can be over 2 meters long and can be used for poles in the garden. While not as long lasting as bamboo, the flax poles decay after a season or 2, they are extremely light and easy to work with.
The flax leaves contain extremely tough fibres making them ideal fro tying and weaving. From simple rope to intricate baskets, woven mats and dental floss, the flax leaves and fibres are very versatile and durable.
I use flax constantly for tying and training plants. Being biodegradable is an added bonus as it breaks down into the soil and trees tied with flax will not strangle.
The plant produces tall flower stalks that feed native bell birds. These stalks can be over 2 meters long and can be used for poles in the garden. While not as long lasting as bamboo, the flax poles decay after a season or 2, they are extremely light and easy to work with.
The flax leaves contain extremely tough fibres making them ideal fro tying and weaving. From simple rope to intricate baskets, woven mats and dental floss, the flax leaves and fibres are very versatile and durable.
I use flax constantly for tying and training plants. Being biodegradable is an added bonus as it breaks down into the soil and trees tied with flax will not strangle.