Using Lavender - How to Weave a Lavender Wand

1. Welcome to Labyrinth Hill: Welcome Delivered Hill, a backyard lavender farm in the Pacific northwest of the U. S. I'm Susan Harrington, CEO and that's chief education officer. I've been growing in using lavender for crafts and cuisine since 2000 and two, more than 850 students in 15 countries have learned how to grow and market lavender from my online course, lavender from soil to sachet and my presentation. Lavender is more than a color has been a popular workshop for many visitors to area lavender festivals. Today, I'm sharing one of the most intriguing crafts that come out of the lavender field. With a few simple materials, you'll learn how to weave a magical lavender wand that will make a fragrant addition to any gift. When you enrol, you'll have access to a downloadable file that answers the top 10 questions about growing lavender as well as a list of the best varieties to grow for making lavender ones. Be sure to click on the Blue Enroll button to join me as I help you. We've 11 to wand and share my hints and tips for creating this fragrant craft 2. Materials and Tools: Hello. Welcome to the class. Thank you for enrolling. Let's chat about a few simple tools and materials. You'll need a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon two yards of quarter inch double face satin ribbon, a pair of lightweight pruners, toe harvest and trim the lavender. And, of course, the star of the show. Ah, small bundle of straight fresh lavender stands. There are a couple of other items that I'd like you to have with you. That is a bit of patience and about 30 to 45 minutes to weave the wand. Let's get started. 3. Stem Selection: Hello and welcome back. Be sure to check the project files for answers to the top 10 questions about growing lavender. I've also included a list of recommended varieties for weaving lavender ones. The variety I'm using here it's Lavon doula X Intermedia Grosso. Now you don't have to know the technical name for the lavender. Just know that you need long stems, probably at least 10 to 12 inches. Interestingly enough, thes two bundles that I have here are from the same plant. I've simply harvested the straight ones from the top of the plant and the curved ones from the site of the plant. Be sure you pick your straightest ends because you'll have the most success with long, straight stents. The curve stems that we harvest usually will bundle the month, hang them to dry and then process them for the fragrant, dried lavender buds. 4. Cleaning the Stems: Welcome back. Now it's time to clean the stems. The first thing I'm going to have you do is remove any leaves that are along the stem. They get in the way of the ribbon and can cause a little problem. Then you'll find on some stems they'll be side branching. Take those off carefully just to make sure you don't break this stand and finally remove any of the buds that are located below the main flower head. You'll notice them because of the gap between the extra buds and the flower head above. You now have an odd number of stems cleaned and ready to gather up with your ribbon. 5. Trim and Tie the Stems: Now you have your stems cleaned of the leaves, the side branches and any extra flower buds below the flower head. I always recommend that my students trim the stems to about 12 to 13 inches. This makes it much easier for weaving, especially for your first time. Begin by taking your ribbon and tying a simple not below the flower head gently pushed the ribbon up against the flowers, so you have a nice, snug little bouquet ready to begin your weaving. 6. Make a Cage: Welcome back. We're getting ready to bend the stems, But first use the blunt side of your pruners, too. Lightly dent the stents just below the ribbon. This helps prevent breakage on the stems. Turn your bundle upside down and begin bending the stems one at a time down over the flower head. As you been them. Be sure to space the stems evenly to form a cage around the flowers. Now we're ready to finally begin weaving. We'll see you in the next video. 7. Weaving the Stems: Welcome back. I bet you thought you'd never get to the point of the weaving. The most important part right now is having that extra tool patients. This first row will be a little frustrating just as you develop the pattern of over under weaving. But after you're done with the first row, the odd number of stems will automatically send you in a slow spiral as you enclose the flower heads, so simply proceed over and under over and under. When you're done with that first row, the 2nd 1 will be a lot easier, and as you proceed, each row will get easier and easier. I promise. I've done a lot of these Levinger ones, and it does take a little practice sometimes along the way, especially here. In the beginning, when you're just starting weaving, you'll find that some of the buds peek out from under the ribbon. You can choose to either leave them in place and remove them when you finish the weeding, or just simply pull them off as you proceed. I have a couple of hints for you as you begin this weaving with three or four rows in place , you may want to pause and adjust the stem so that they're evenly spaced. The other hint I have is that I used my thumb to lift the ribbon so that as I pick up the stem that I'm weaving under the ribbon is out of the way, and then I pull the ribbon off my thumb off the nail and snug up against the previous row. So I want you to continue waving until you've completely covered the flower heads and will wrap it up in the next video. 8. Finish Weaving and Wrap It Up: way are at the end, the flowers have disappeared. We've completely enclosed them in the satin ribbon. Now let's take the rest of the ribbon, wrap the stems and then tie a temporary bow. Wait two or three days for the stems to dry. They'll be nice and straight and ready to add anything else you want. 9. Final Fragrant Thoughts: your assignment for this class is to use what you've learned to weave a fragrant wand of your own. Please share your inspiration for finishing it off in your own special style at a photo of your progress to the project section below, so we can all share in your success. If you have any questions or want to provide feedback or comments, be sure to use the discussion section. Thank you for taking this class. I can't wait to share more ways to use lavender, the ancient herb of love and devotion. So don't wait. Start your project below, keep calm and we've on.