EM3050 Activity: Weave a Wetland Reed Tray
OBJECTIVES
Learn to weave a small tray using sticks and wetland reeds.
MATERIALS
Cattail/reed leaves.
Two curved sticks and one straight stick (about 12-14 inches)
Twine
ACTIVITY
- Soak cattail leaves in warm water for 15 minutes
- Tie the two curved sticks and straight stick together like this:
- Take one of your reeds out of the water. Reed should be about ¼ inch wide. If too wide, you can split with your fingers or scissors to desired width. Tuck one end of reed in between middle and center stick.
- You will now start weaving following an OVER-UNDER-OVER-UNDER pattern.
- With one end of the reed stuck between two sticks, wrap the reed up and over the outside of the curved stick, so that it comes out at the bottom of stick.
- Then weave reed over the center stick, then under and around the other curved stick. The reed will come out at the top of the stick (Over), so you then weave UNDER the center stick.
- Now go over and around the first curved stick, with the reed coming out at the bottom again (under). Now wrap reed over center, under and around the curved stick, under the center stick, over the around the curved stick.
- When you run out of reed, pick a new one out of the water, and tuck it under end of the previous reed, overlapping, near the last outer stick weave. Then keep weaving, staying on pattern. You can trim all the loose ends when done.
- When you are done, trim all the loose ends.
Pro Tips:
- Feel free to use different kinds of reeds or grasses to vary color and texture. You can use long strips of thin bark as well. Just make sure to soak so the reed is pliable.
- Stuck close to home? You can probably find the sticks outside of where you live. Then weave with yarn or string of different colors!
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