My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Hanging Willow Nest

Bend a long willow stem to loop

For more information on how to manipulate stems without breaking it see the tutorial below

Bend another stem to loop inside the first

Wrap a thin willow stem around the looped stems ends (be sure to let the longer, thicker side of the stem extend while you use the tip to wrap)...

... and slip the stem end through to secure

This is the basic nest shape

Secure a thin willow stem where the looped stems cross

Bend the top stem over and tuck it into the stem you used to connect the loops at the looped end. This creates a fifth stem for you to weave with.

Now the nest shape is ready to start weaving

Press a thin stem into the top where the willow stems are connected

Wrap the stem to make sure it is firmly secure and that the stems are all in place

Press a thin stem in the bottom looped side of the stems...

Start weaving the stem in and out around the stems

I used the basic in and out weaving pattern. For more information on weaving, see the Tutorial below

Weave the stem in and out spiralling out around the stems

When you reach the end of a stem simply press in a new stem and continue weaving

Shape the base of the nest as you spiral out

Continue weaving

Create the opening by looping back the stem at the last willow twig and weaving it back

Do the same on the other side.

Continue weaving up adding stems as you go along

Do the same at the top weaving around the stems down to the wider looped side

Continue to weave all the way around working your way down to the bottom weaved bit

Space the stems out to create a opening

For the loop at the top:

Loop a willow stem twice

And wrap the loop with a thin willow stem

Continue wrapping to cover the entire loop

Press the looped stems into the willow nest

And knot the stems to secure

Add another long stem by pressing it into the wrapped part

And wrap the entire top part tightly to secure

The willow nest is ready to design with

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