My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Twisted Lily Grass sun hat

This is the basic pattern used to weave a 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.

I also made a more decorative hat out of Autumn foliage and rose hips. See the Tutorial below

Measure the wires to fit the size of the ball of the hat

Measure the wires to fit the size of the ball of the hat

Place the wires on a flat working surface

You will need 8 short wires and one long garland of lily grass to weave with. Make the garland by gluing blades of grass into a continues length.

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.

Start weaving the wires

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.

It is a bit difficult to see with the thin wires. For more detailed pictures on this step you can also look at the Autumn Hat Tutorial

This is the only bit that is slightly tricky:

Start weaving in the grass

Start weaving in the long grass garland. Place the garland parallel to the four horizontal wires. The end of the garland should be as long as the horizontal wire 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

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

Weave the garland over the first two and under the next two strands. Give it a twist.

Continue the weaving pattern around the strands. Include the new strand that was created with the garland

Continue the weaving pattern around the strands. Include the new strand that was created with the garland

Weave another spiral

Weave another spiral, twisting the grass as you make a turn in the spiral

The wires are now held in place with the grass

The wires are now held in place with the grass

Bend all the wires open to radiate out

Bend all the Wires open to radiate out

 Space out the strands to all the sides

Space out the strands to all the sides

Weave the garland of grass over or under every wire following the basic weaving pattern

Weave the garland of grass over or under every wire following the basic weaving pattern

Continue weaving the garland grass to create the bowl of the hat

Continue weaving the garland grass to create the bowl of the hat

Bend the wires up

Bend the wires up

Weave the sides of the bowl

Weave the sides of the bowl, giving the grass a twist at every turn

Weave around and around creating the bowl of the hat

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

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

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

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

Continue the weaving pattern moving around the brim

Continue the weaving pattern moving around the brim, twisting the grass at every wire.

Continue the weaving pattern moving around the brim

Bend the wires over with pliers

Bend the wires over with pliers

Weave another strand around the brim of the hat to secure and hide the wire ends

Weave another strand around the brim of the hat to secure and hide the wire ends

Clean up the glue spills

Clean up any glue spills. See the Tutorial below for more detailed instructions on how to clean up floral glue spills

The hat is now ready to design with

The hat is now ready to design with

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

Tutorials

15 October 2014 Thanks Weaving Hat

This is the basic pattern used to weave a hat

8 June 2011 Foliage Weaving

For this tutorial I focus on a simple weave pattern that does not require you to soften or prepare the leaves to be more durable or flexible. This is the starting point in...

28 August 2013 Barely there Mad Hatter's Top Hat

Glue sisal fibers to create a floral top hat

30 August 2011 Removing Oasis Floral Adhesive glue spills

The finish of every design should be flawless. Make sure there are no bits of glue visible in your design by carefully removing all traces of spills.

Related Designs

20 July 2016 A Shade of Summer

Twist and weave a lily grass summer hat

5 April 2017 Easter Bonnet

Weave a delicate Pillbox hat

26 July 2017 Beat the summer heat

Tangle some wire to set flowers in water

9 August 2017 Hat tip

Tip a mortarboard inspired top at an angle for a glass design

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...

29 May 2019 Creative Competition

This week I am so excited to share my article and design that was published in the recent issue of the Floral Art Society of New Zealand's Academy Magazine for NZ qualified...

18 March 2020 Aerial Odyssey

A closer look at my design at Canada Blooms and The Toronto Flower Show last week. The show was cancelled right after we staged the designs due to COVID-19 concerns.

22 April 2020 Yes… but what would she put in it?

Some floral fashion inspiration: weave a pretty clutch purse

22 July 2020 Step It Up

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

9 September 2020 Daffodillily

Weave around the stamens of a lily to create a daffodil like inside.

19 October 2022 Point Witch (or Wizard) Way

A wire framed witch or wizard hat that can be reshaped.

20 March 2024 the arc of Success

Coil a straw basket for an Easter display

1 May 2024 Favourite Take-Away

Basket weave container for some Spring floral treasures.

15 October 2014 Thanks-Weaving

Weaving a hat with an autumn leaf and rose hip garland