Thanks Weaving Hat

15 October 2014
click to send Christine a smile
and more

This is the basic pattern used to weave a hat. For my design I made the weave loose to show off the autumn leaf garland I used. (See the Tutorial below for instructions on how to make the garland)

You can also weave the hat from grass or raffia and close the weave tightly for a more practical hat.

It is actually very easy to weave. If you get the first strand (or garland) right it is just basic weaving until the hat is the size you need. See the Tutorial below for more information about basic weaving patterns

Lay the first pieces on a flat working surface

You will need 8 short garlands (to make it easier to follow I refer to them as strands) and one long one ( to make it easier to follow I refer to this as the garland) to weave with. Work on a flat surface to get the weave started. We start at the ball of the hat. Work in pairs and lay the first two pieces on your working surface.

Cross the next two garlands over the first two

Cross the next two strands over the first two

Weave in two more pairs of strands. The second pair was over the first but under the pair below. The pair next to the first goes under and the pair below over.

Wiggle the strands to close the weave

This is the only bit that is slightly tricky:

Start weaving in the long garland. Place the garland parallel to the four horizontal stands. The end of the garland should be as long as the horizontal strands on the left side so that it becomes a fifth horizontal strand on that side.

Bend the long side of the garland down to start the weave

Weave in a spiral. First weave the long garland through the middle garlands in couples.

Weave the garland over the first two and under the next two strands

Continue the weaving pattern around the strands. Include the new strand that was created with the garland. Move the rose hip and leaf pieces to show nicely as you go along

Weave another spiral

Be careful not to twist the garland and to keep the rose hips and leaves from damaging

Bend all the strands open to radiate out

Space out the strands to all the sides

Bend the strands up

Start weaving the garland to create the bowl of the hat

Weave the garland over or under every strand following the basic weaving pattern.

Be very careful not to damage the leaves nor the rose hips

Weave around and around creating the bowl of the hat

When you have a neat bowl, bend the strands down and straight out to create the brim

Move all the way around spacing out the strands to radiate

Flip the design around so that the brim is flat and resting on your working surface

Continue the weaving pattern moving around the brim

Slowly spiral the garland out.

Manipulate the leaves and rose hips to face up so that it looks pretty

Do not weave more than a centimeter from the end of the strand

Fold the strand over the garland and secure with wire

Be careful not to damage the rose hips or leaves

Decorate the hat. I added a few rose stems as a green accent.

Fall leaf hat

The wire helps the hat keep its shape

... even when turned upside down

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Tutorials

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