Random Weave
This has to be my favourite method of weaving.
The simplicity of using a single plant fibre woven until it holds its own shape, without resorting to any other fixings is immensely satisfying. Whether a vine, a leaf a strand of seaweed, each has its own tactile quality and each will arrive at a point of tension when the structure is firm.
The simplicity of using a single plant fibre woven until it holds its own shape, without resorting to any other fixings is immensely satisfying. Whether a vine, a leaf a strand of seaweed, each has its own tactile quality and each will arrive at a point of tension when the structure is firm.
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Dodder LaurelDodder laurel is a parasitic vine found hanging from Eucalypts and comonly known as Australian mistletoe. Sometimes it becomes so dense and tangled it can kill it's host tree. However it is a native vine and in the wider scheme of things has its ecological benefits, as mentioned in this article by Angair
It is fabulous to use for random weaving. To collect it I rely on local gardeners clearing it from time to time and providing me with this resource. 
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Seagrass
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The seagreass I find washed up, often tangled up with kelp, is incredibly long stemmed for a seagrass. It's the stems I use to weave with. The term seagrass actually covers about 60 different species, this one is only found in southern waters and is favoured by weedy seadragons to hide in. It was in fact an ideal material to use to make a seadragon, with the leafy parts being so similar to the fins of a seadragon.
after a bit of research the correct name for this one is 'Sea Nymph' - amphibolis antarctica |
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All sorts vines really lend themselves to being used for random weaving. Passionfruit, wisteria, jasmine and grapevine are some good ones to try. The thicker the vine the larger in scale your random weave needs to be.
Other things I've experimented with for random weave include Twisted willow, Silver birch, Willow, Muelenbeckia, Lomandra and even some very springy guitar strings!
Other things I've experimented with for random weave include Twisted willow, Silver birch, Willow, Muelenbeckia, Lomandra and even some very springy guitar strings!
Lomandra used for a random weave dandelion
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Other Materials
Twisted Willow
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Grapevine
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Willow
Silver Birch Roll top method
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Other MethodsThere's more than one method to create a random weave. The willow and silver birch examples are known as roll top baskets, which are a variation on making a wreath. The versions made with muehlenbeckia have stab stitched linings added to make them more nest like.
Guitar strings
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Muehlenbeckia with stitched hay lining
Muehlenbeckia with a stitched stringy bark lining
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