Unlocking traditional skills: A comprehensive review of willow weaving techniques. How many of these classic techniques do you know?

The most basic and most commonly used is the "warp and weft weaving method". First, several willow branches are arranged in parallel as "warps" and fixed on the weaving frame, and then another willow branch is interspersed between the warps in an "up and down" manner to form a grid structure similar to weaving. This method is simple to operate and is the "base" process for willow woven objects. It is often used for the basic shaping of the bottom and body of the basket. When a novice is getting started, use this method to weave a small storage basket. You only need to master the technique of even interlacing force, and it can be completed in two hours.

The "edge wrapping method" is the key to improving the refinement of objects. After the main body is woven, use a thicker willow branch to wrap around the edge of the object, and press the end of the willow branch under the adjacent warp for each circle. This method can make the edge of the object smooth and not prickly, and can also enhance the overall firmness. In traditional willow woven dustpans, the edge wrapping can even withstand repeated bumps without loosening, which is a combination of practicality and aesthetics.

The "twisting method" is full of ingenuity. It forms a spiral pattern by twisting two willow branches together. It is often used for handles or decorative patterns. When weaving, the strength of the two willow branches must be consistent and the twisting angle must be uniform. The woven pattern is both non-slip and layered. Nowadays, many cultural and creative willow products use the twisting method to make handles, which adds a sense of design to traditional objects.

There is also the "bottom-collecting method" that determines the load-bearing capacity of the object. After bending the warp upwards, short willow branches are used to cross-wrap and fix at the bottom to form a radial and stable structure. The high-quality bottom-collecting process allows the willow basket to withstand a weight of more than 5 kilograms, and it is not easy to deform even if it is filled with vegetables and fruits.

These classic techniques seem simple, but they require the cooperation of hands, eyes, and heart. Today, willow weaving artists have integrated modern designs on the basis of traditional techniques to give new life to old craftsmanship. Whether it is the simplicity of the interweaving of warp and weft, or the agility of the twisted patterns, each technique is a vivid carrier of wicker culture - knowing them is the most vivid language to understand this craft.