Ok this is my tutorial for making a bird feeder or small basket, this project is quite simple and loads of fun, especially for kids.
All you will need is 5 willow rods, mine are about 5ft long, straight and around the same thickness.
a sharp set of snips and a frame, mine is a scrap piece of wood around 4inch by 4inch, the frame can be any size you like it just means you may need to add more rods to the weave if its loads bigger.
the frame has a hole in each corner and a 5th next to the bottom right corner, i have marked this so people can see the order clearly.
I use a sharpened bit of hazel to make a small hole about 1inch deep in the ground through the frame in number 1 hole, put the fat end of a willow rod through the frame into the hole and fold it over to the 'inside' of number 2. (inside meaning if you made an imaginary square with the holes in the frame the rods always fold to the inside of the holes .. hope this makes sence if not look at the pix up close!)
Now do the same with hole 2 but bend it over rod 1.
Rod 3 & 4
Now rod 5 goes over rod 2.
This pattern goes on and on till you either get to the end or need to add more rods.
When you come to a point instead of folding the next rod over like you have been, this time tuck it under and pull it all the way through the last layer you made,
Time to remove your creation from the frame, carefully pull the frame away from the ground, and pull it away from the willow, now you will see that rod 1 is loose and if left alone would undo your feeder, tuck it under the opposite side and push it through till its tight,
Snip of all the ends flush and hopefully you be left with a thin bit of willow long enough to tie to each side creating a handle.
fill with nuts and watch a great big smile grow
If any of this does not make sense or you need help just shout,
best of luck
Marten
All you will need is 5 willow rods, mine are about 5ft long, straight and around the same thickness.
a sharp set of snips and a frame, mine is a scrap piece of wood around 4inch by 4inch, the frame can be any size you like it just means you may need to add more rods to the weave if its loads bigger.
the frame has a hole in each corner and a 5th next to the bottom right corner, i have marked this so people can see the order clearly.
I use a sharpened bit of hazel to make a small hole about 1inch deep in the ground through the frame in number 1 hole, put the fat end of a willow rod through the frame into the hole and fold it over to the 'inside' of number 2. (inside meaning if you made an imaginary square with the holes in the frame the rods always fold to the inside of the holes .. hope this makes sence if not look at the pix up close!)
Now do the same with hole 2 but bend it over rod 1.
Rod 3 & 4
Now rod 5 goes over rod 2.
This pattern goes on and on till you either get to the end or need to add more rods.
When you come to a point instead of folding the next rod over like you have been, this time tuck it under and pull it all the way through the last layer you made,
Time to remove your creation from the frame, carefully pull the frame away from the ground, and pull it away from the willow, now you will see that rod 1 is loose and if left alone would undo your feeder, tuck it under the opposite side and push it through till its tight,
Snip of all the ends flush and hopefully you be left with a thin bit of willow long enough to tie to each side creating a handle.
fill with nuts and watch a great big smile grow
If any of this does not make sense or you need help just shout,
best of luck
Marten
