My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Knot a delicate hammock from ripped foliage

For this design you will need ripped grass or foliage. To get you started I have linked a Tutorial below to show you how to rip foliage and grass. If you want to learn more about this technique you can find information in my book The Effortless Floral Craftsman

Cut a sturdy stem

Cut a sturdy stem. Any stem that can hold up having holes drilled (or pinned) into it would do. I used the stem ends that I cut from the lilies.

Cut the stems as long as you want the hammock to be wide.

Skewer or drill small holes through the stem to fit the ripped grass

Skewer or drill small holes through the stem to fit the ripped grass.

Move down the twig and skewer and thread six strands of ripped grass

Move down the twig and skewer and thread six strands of ripped grass.

Gather the grass ends and knot it at the top end

Gather the grass ends and knot it at the top end.

Knot in extra ripped grass to create long strands

Knot in extra ripped grass to create long strands.

The quickest... and by far the easiest way to knot the hammock is to simply pin the strands onto foam. If you struggle to knot strands so delicate a basic double knot will do.

Book readers turn to page 55 for a few more knot alternatives, this time making a fishing net. It's a great way to level up on your knot making skills especially if you want to make a larger, more functional hammock or net.

Also if you want to learn how to twist your own rope from ripped grass turn to page 46 where I show you basic cordage.

Pin the knot to the foam

Pin the knot to the foam.

This week in our email I tell you a bit more about measuring and pinning the strands to the foam- for my design I wanted a dreamlike delicate hammock that is as fragile as I possible could make it and when you are crafting something that is whisper delicate it is best to get it right from the first knot so that you can avoid getting frustrated. Make sure you are signed up to receive the weekly notification email with the exclusive tip where I discuss something I found interesting making the design in a bit more detail. The sign up is below this post.

Skip the first strands and knot the next two strands

Skip the first strands and knot the next two strands. Knot the next two strands and skip the last strand.

Split the knotted strands and knot the one leg to the dangling last strand

Split the knotted strands and knot the one leg to the dangling last strand.

Do the same with the first dangling strand

Do the same with the first dangling strand, split the knot next to it open and knot one leg to that first strand.

Split the middle knot and knot the leftover strands

Split the middle knot and knot the leftover strands. This is the basic knotting pattern. Start pinning the position to make it easier for you to knot the strands.

Simply place a pin where the next knot should be

Simply place a pin where the next knot should be...

And carefully knot the strands around the pin

And carefully knot the strands around the pin.

Knot and pin the strands to craft the hammock

Knot and pin the strands to craft the hammock.

When you have a net as long as required for the design skewer holes into another stem and thread the strands through

When you have a net as long as required for the design skewer holes into another stem and thread the strands through

Knot the strands together

Knot the strands together.

Add the tinniest drop of wood glue on all the knots just to make extra sure it is secure

Add the tinniest drop of wood glue on all the knots just to make extra sure it is secure

Design tip: the wood glue also adds to the shape of the hammock once hanged in the design so do not skip this step. Once the glue dries it is clear but it adds a stiffness to the delicate strands that makes it look like a full size hammock.

Once dry remove the pins

Once dry remove the pins. Be careful- the hammock is quite delicate.

Again see this week's email.

To hang the hammock place lily stems into bud vases

To hang the hammock place lily stems into bud vases.

Plait or braid two a strands as ropes to hang the hammock

Plait or braid two a strands as ropes to hang the hammock up into the design.

Knot the braid to the top knot of the hammock

Knot the braid to the top knot of the hammock.

And string it up in the design

And string it up in the design. Do the same on the other side.

To finish off the hammock curl all the knotted strand ends and add in a few dew drop crystals.

To finish off the hammock curl all the knotted strand ends and add in a few dew drop crystals.

To get you started I have links to Tutorials for both the dew drop crystals and how to curl the strands... with an alternative technique in my book.

And if possible curl the leftover braids to dangle down one side of the hammock

And if possible curl the leftover braids to dangle down one side of the hammock.

Make sure the design is secure on a display surface

Make sure the design is secure on a display surface.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

14 January 2011 Ripping Flax

Flax can be ripped into fibres creating long and versatile strips

29 August 2018 Coil slip on sandals

Braid ripped flax and coil it into shaped slip on sandals.

22 July 2020 Adding flowers to those pretty hand coiled flip flops I made for my book

Step up the flip-flop design by decorating it with some long lasting succulent flowers. It might look delicate... but these flowers are robust and long lasting.

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

25 April 2012 A plait, a braid or a French knot grass collar

"Plaid" and "braid" are synonyms, and where you are from will most likely dictate whether you use plait (British) or braid (American or Celtic). Some people also refer to...

23 August 2017 Twirl a ripped Phormium pumpkin pod

Rip the New Zealand flax to create a delicate fiber armature

6 November 2012 Ripped Grass Frame

Create a sheltered or veiled design by framing the outer edge of your armature (in this case thick cardboard) with long strands of grass

27 March 2013 Bird's Nest Lattice

Cherry stems and ripped flax makes a perfect natural lattice to suspend floral material from

30 April 2014 Scattered grass armature

An grass armature that looks scattered but is actually very secure

4 June 2014 Weaving a ring basket

Create a wire frame and weave ripped foliage around it

25 May 2016 Sliced Grassy Cabbage

Slicing a cabbage to create an armature for a vegetable design.

8 August 2018 Wrap around grass loop and knot armature

Connect strips of ripped grass to create a knotted armature for short stemmed flowers

7 November 2018 Ripped Flax Mittens

Knot delicate floral mittens from flax.

31 December 2012 Knot a Cordyline Catcher

Create a rigid grid to place over a glass vase to keep flower material in place

28 May 2013 Curling Rattan

Curl and twill rattan tendrils

15 April 2015 Stretching leaves and foliage into a ringlet curl

Most leaves and foliage can be slightly manipulated to curve or curl.

Favourite Flowers

Lilium

Lily

Related Designs

21 July 2021 High-Strung

String up a tiny hammock for a dreamy summer vacation design

15 June 2022 Take a swing at it

A cooling design for early summer days with swinging ripped grass and more than enough water for thirsty hydrangeas.

13 July 2022 Blue…

The tiniest flower adds some much needed coolness to a summer floral design.

12 April 2023 The word we are looking for is… fun

A leaning twig armature with both the first signs of Spring and the last signs of winter.

31 July 2024 Have a floral adventure, really

Creating a larger sustainable floral design by clustering the floral details into bunches.

29 August 2018 It’s not that it is inexpensive… it’s priceless!

Yes, this Coil slip on sandals design is in my book: the effortless floral craftsman, a floral crafter’s guide to crafting with nature ... it is also the first design from the...

22 July 2020 Step It Up

Dress up a pair of hand coiled flip-flops with succulents.

13 September 2017 Around again

Tape a grid at the edge of a container

19 October 2011 In an Oriental Manner

I wanted my parasol design to be thoroughly me, and thoroughly contemporary yet respectful of the guiding rules and methods shared by the different schools of Ikebana.

23 August 2017 Almost is still not quite

Weave just a hint of the Autumn to come

18 September 2012 Tying the knot and loosening those curls

Romantic rose centerpiece with just a bit of an edge featured in the DIY Wedding Magazine

10 September 2012 Tying the knot

Gypsophilla design with Celtic love knots featured in the DIY Wedding Magazine

6 November 2012 Mr. Stalk, the Seriously Terrifying Scarecrow, on his Day Off

An easy going design of ripped grass and calla lilies. But look a bit closer. See if you can find Mr. Stalk relaxing somewhere between the blades of grass.

27 March 2013 In one basket

Weave a nest for an Easter design

30 April 2014 Scattered

Scatter some dried grass to make a floral armature

4 June 2014 All white, just not quite

My article and woven ring basket design featured in the summer issue of DIY Weddings Magazine

25 May 2016 Half the Fun

Cut a cabbage to create a design platform

8 August 2018 On the net

Knot a net to rest short stem orchids on.

7 November 2018 Grab your party mittens, flower buds… it’s Book Launch Day!

Celebrating my book launch by knotting floral mittens using the design Tutorial from my book and the template from the free gift template booklet.

31 December 2012 A Pocket full of Starlight

Knot a grid to place over a glass bubble vase to keep plant material in place