Branch Weaving

Branch weaving is sort of a combination of yarn bombing (which I would love to do someday on a massive scale) and a dream catcher. It is different and fun to be able to bring an item from nature into the home as an art piece.

I first saw branch weaving on the blog Natural Suburbia when I was searching for a fun craft to do with my son. He is a nature lover and very much a little artist so I knew this would be a perfect project for him. We went out and searched for the 'perfect' small branch for him to weave on. He already knew how to weave so this was a natural progression for him.

When he was weaving his branch and I saw how much he enjoyed it I really wanted to try it myself on a larger scale. I added a few patterns in my version on the weaving to give the piece extra character.

One could really go all out with branch weaving with detailed patterns. What's even greater is no piece will ever be the same just because of the branch arms and shapes!

All of the patterns used in this weaving project are very basic and easy. They are good for a beginner, even a child with some prior weaving experience.

Step 1: Item List and Inspiration

You will need the following items to complete this project:

branch
yarn
scissors
large plastic needle
crochet hook

Step 2: Prune a Tree or Go Foraging

If you don't have a tree to prune of your own you could go foraging in the woods for the perfect branch or you could watch around your neighborhood. Chances are in the fall someone will be pruning a tree. Especially oak trees. Ask if you can have a couple of branches. My guess is they would not mind at all!

I happen to have a massive oak tree in my front yard that needed pruning so I sent my husband up on the ladder to get it done and save some good branches in the process! You will want a sturdy branch with a 'V' shape in it. If the branch is flimsy it will get increasingly smaller when you try and wind it with yarn so make sure it's strong.

Choose the branch you want and trim off excess twigs that you don't need or want using pruning sheers or a small hand saw. Use caution when using any trimming tool. They are very sharp and don't care what they cut.....including fingers. If you are doing this project with a child an adult should do the trimming.

Clean branch accordingly if you notice any bird or animal poo. That is not welcome in the finished piece!!

Step 3: Wind Branch

Once you have chosen a branch you can wind it with yarn, string or thread. What ever you choose is fine. I chose to use yarn for my entire piece.

Tie the end of the yarn on the closed end of 'V' of the bottom branch. Stretch it up to the top branch and wrap it around once before stretching it to the opposite (top) branch making sure to keep the yarn taunt. 

Continue all the way along the branches until you reach the end or where you want to stop.

Tie off the yarn in a knot and trim the extra length with scissors.

Step 4: Weaving Pattern

The branch I chose is approximately -
20 inches (from the start of the yarn to the end of the yarn on the bottom branch) 
21 inches (from the start of the yarn to the end of the yarn on the top branch)

Pattern for this branch weaving is as follows:
x = over
o = under

navy blue - repeat sequence 4 times (10 total rows)                           
x o x o x o x o x o 
o x o x o x o x o x

olive green - repeat sequence 4 times (8 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o 
o o x x o o x x o o x x

orange - repeat sequence 10 times (20 total rows) spreading rows out as to be able to see through the rows. You can also fill these in with yarn so there is no space but I wanted to be able to see through some of it - dream catcher-ish.
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

medium blue - repeat sequence 10 times (20 total rows) spreading rows out the same as the orange.
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

white - repeat sequence 5 times (10 total rows) I think I actually had 11 rows of white but it's doesn't need to be exact in any way!
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

navy blue - repeat sequence 2 times (4 total rows)
x o x o x o x o x o
o x o x o x o x o x

yellow - repeat sequence 3-4 times (about 24-32 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
x x o o x x o o x x o o 
o x x o o x x o o x x o
o x x o o x x o o x x o
o o x x o o x x o o x x 
o o x x o o x x o o x x
x o o x x o o x x o o x
x o o x x o o x x o o x

dark green - repeat sequence 6 times (12 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

olive green - repeat sequence 3-4 times (12-16 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o 
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x
o o x x o o x x o o x x

white - repeat sequence 4 times (8 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

dark blue - repeat sequence 9 times (18 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

light blue - repeat sequence 8 times (32 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
x o o x x o o x x o o x
o o x x o o x x o o x x
o x x o o x x o o x x o

orange - repeat sequence 14 times (28 total rows)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x

yellow - repeat sequence 9 times (36 total rows or until finished with branch)
x x o o x x o o x x o o
x x o o x x o o x x o o
o o x x o o x x o o x x
o o x x o o x x o o x x

***You can use a fork to tighten your weave at any time if you can't get it tight enough with your fingers.
***When you run out of thread and start a new piece don't worry about knotting them. You will weave those strays into the back of the weave at the very end. The rows will be tight enough that the yarn won't come out.

Step 5: Finishing

Using a crochet hook catch the ends of the threads on the underneath side of the weaving project so they don't hang out. Trim any long pieces.

Hang on the wall and admire your art!

Comments

[wold630]

This is a picture of my son with his branch weaving that inspired me to do one on a larger scale! Great project for kids.

[joym63]

I am beginning weaving tomorrow and will post when I have images/thoughts to share. Excited!

[PaulaW4]

Okay I ahev never done any weaving so daft question alert once you have set it up done the weaving how do you get the material made off the loom?

[wold630]

You actually don't take it off the branch. It becomes part of the artwork.

[PaulaW4]

Oh I see now I get it your making a piece of art with it. Brilliant idea I could do that and have the colours of a team or something similar thank you for your quick reply

[KzooK1]

Very nice way to remember a large tree or branch that came down during a storm.

Thanks for sharing.

[Binkismama]

This will be a perfect project my grandaughters and I can do together . Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[lisa.camarata.9]

I"ve been looking for a little project ! thankyou !'''

[chriswangmu]

beautiful! i'm gonna make one with my son soon!

[lynne941]

Try using a bit of sandpaper to smooth the roughness of the branch. Not so much that you remove bark. Then rub the branch with a bit of oil. Gives the wood a warm, finished look.

[ladymda]

Wow, this is so cool! I am definitely going to make one to decorate my room! Thanks for sharing :D

[LoriH1]

I am so putting this on the list of crafts for the next school holidays!!! :D We might start small, though - I have a 6yo & an 8yo who would love this!

[dsmith234]

this is nice

[wold630]

Thank you.

[MommaIsLearning]

Wow! Gorgeous!! I can't wait to try this :)

[wold630]

Thanks. Please share pictures if you make one!

[sauwen]

Ooo~ The finished product looks beautiful!

[wold630]

Thank you!

[anke-art]

How pretty! I can't wait for my son to be old enough for this craft ;)

[wold630]

Definitely put it on your list of crafts for him when he is old enough. My son started weaving when he was three. He is five now and still loves to weave and has become much better at it!