Twig Weaving Tutorial • Off-Loom

Yesterday, I shared with you the wall hanging I created using a cardboard loom and twigs that littered my yard following Hurricane Sandy. Today, I want to share with you additional photographs and a step-by-step tutorial. I have made many different types of off-loom weaving projects over the years but this is my first with twigs.

I worked on this by the light of a window during the days we had no power following the hurricane.

And now it is hanging in the hall outside our bedroom.

Twig Off-Loom Weaving Tutorial

Supplies Needed:

• Twigs: I selected those that were from the tips of branches so each had one snapped end and one end with buds.
• Large piece of carboard: Size depends on size of final weaving. Mine was about 2.5 x 2.5 feet square. Mine was 3 layers of corrugated cardbaord. Other types work as well.
• ruler
• marker
• Xacto knife or single edge razor blade
• yarn or string for warp
• 5 minute epoxy
• Scissors
• Saw
• Branch clippers- small
• toothpicks

The Process:

• Gather a supply of twigs and small branches.

• On both the top and bottom edge of your cardboard, use a ruler and make marks every 1/4". For my weaving I made the markers to cover a space 8" wide.

•  Use a sharp tool and slice down into the cardboard about 1/2" at each marking.
• Notice the ridges of the cardboard run vertically. This is important.

• Take the weaving yarn or string and stretch from top to bottom of the cardboard loom securing it in the slices just cut.
• Wrap the warp around the back, down to the bottom, through a slot and up to the top into the next slot.
• Again, wrap around the back. to the bottom, through a slot, up to the top......

• Continue wrapping until all slots are filled.

• Take a twig and starting at the bottom weave it through the strands of yarn using a classic over one - under one - over one weave pattern.

• Once it is through all of the warp strings, cut it leaving 1-2" extending from both ends.
• Take a second twig and weave it through alternating the under over pattern. If you went under a string on the last pass, go over it with this twig.
• When it is through all the warp strings, cut the end and press it down as close as possible to the first twig.

• Continue weaving twigs through the warp. 
• Create interesting designs by alternating the curve of a branch occasionally.
• If you have branches with interesting seed pods or twists work those in as well. Because I was using oak branches I had twigs with partially developed acorns on them and I worked carefully in placing those. They were definitely harder to weave through the threads but worth it.

• Continue weaving twigs until you have reached the desired size, or until there is no more room on the loom.
• Flip the weaving over and cut the warp strings on the backside right at the middle of the loom.
• The weaving will be very lose so don't move it around. Let it separate from the loom and lay flat on a work surface. You will have to pry the strings out from the slots on the loom but do so gently so as to not distort the weaving.

• Mix up a batch of 5 minute epoxy according to package instruction.
• With the back side of the weaving facing up, and using a tooth pick, carefully apply a dab of epoxy between each warp string and the bottom most and top most branches.  
• I repeated this step with the second branch on each end as well.
• I also repeated it on the side ends of several of the larger branches in the middle of the weaving.
• Leave it to dry.
• This step keeps the weaving from coming apart. Twigs make a relatively loose weave and you don't want your handy work to come undone.

• Using branches in 3-4 different diameters, cut little disks of wood. Mine were about 3/4, 1 and 1 1/2" in diameter.
• This is for embellishing the bottom fringe. The warp strings hang better if they have some weight attached to them and there are many options - beads, stones, buttons. I chose to make wood disk buttons.

• Drill two small holes on each opposite side in each wooden disk. It needs to be large enough to thread two warp strings through.

• Using a dental floss threader, thread the bottom strings through the wood slice holes. I put two threads through each hole. 
• I threaded in one and out the other on each wood slice. The two holes allowed the beads to hang straight. 
• My holes were tight enough that I didn't need to knot the string. You might need to if your warp yarn isn't textured.

• Adjust the wood slices to different heights. Some might have two disks.

• Use an Y branch joint to craft a branch hook for hanging the wall hanging.
• Knot the top warp strings together to fit over the hook.

And find a perfect place to hang it!

Previous posts of interest: I have done a lot with branches!

• Branches • Odds 'n ends
• Branches in Fiber Arts
• Branches • A Coat Tree • Literally
• Branch Motif in Doors
• Branch Like -Shelving
• Branch Lighting
• Branches • Reshaped! 
• Branches • In Bed!
• Branches • Stacks of Sticks
• Branch Whimsy
• Branches • Birch Centerpiece
• Branches • Sliced
• Branches is the Round • Wreathes, Etc.
• Branches Framed
• Putting Branches to Use • Shelf Supports
• Putting Branches to Use • Branch Hooks
• Red Dancing Sticks • DIY for the Winter Garden
• White Winter Branches
• Start With a Branch
• Collecting Branches and Twigs
• Winter Branches • A Source of Inspiration

And the overview I assembled for easy future reference.....

• Branch Inspirations • Series Overview

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

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Hope to see you there as well!

• A Bowl Full of Lemons
• Not Just a House Wife
• Take It On Tuesday @ Romance On A Dime
• Tuesday Treasures @My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
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• Show and Tell Saturdays

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• Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog
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