My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Jiyek Braiding a Pussy Willow Twig Blind

A design inspired by traditional Jiyek braiding techniques

Cut four long strands of wool. Fold the wool strands in half to find the middle point.

Drill two holes into a short stick. Thread wire through the holes and twist the wire at their ends to secure it in place

Pull the wool over the twig so that the twig lies in the middle point of the wool strand

Do the same with the rest of the wool to have eight equil string pieces

Knot the pairs of string at the far end

Place the string on a flat working surface

Cut the pussy willow in sections equal in length.

Separate the string strands. The first strand goes to the back. The second to the front. The third to the back and the last strand to the front

Slip a willow twig between the strands. Be very careful not to break off any of the fragile catkins.

Fold the string open and add a twig

Swap the sides of the string...

by folding the string open again over the willow

And add another willow twig

This is your basic braiding pattern. Fold the string up, add a twig and bring the string down and the other two sections up again.

Keep braiding in pussy willow sticks

Lightly fold the string up

And knot tightly to secure the last pussy willow stick

Cut the dangling string short... or leave it to hang like a tassel

Add a few verical sticks for visual interest...

The pussy willow blind- armature is ready to design with

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