Reed grows around the lakes in many localities - a material that was previously used in construction, house decoration and in everyday life everywhere. Later, they did not remember much about him.

And by today's standards, reeds and products made from it have a high "status", primarily due to their naturalness, environmental friendliness, ability to repel moisture and retain heat. Rodents and various insects do not settle in them - the bark of the reed contains a lot of calcium.

Construction markets and firms sell reed mats dearly. But many are interested in this material as practically free: after all, you can prepare it yourself. But here's how to tie the reeds into the mats correctly?

Reed mats at home can be knitted different ways... An elementary machine will help a lot, which everyone can do. More details:

1. A frame is constructed from the bars

2. The pegs must be driven in rows inside the frame. The distance between the rows is about 8 cm - according to the thickness of the future mats. The thickness of the mats can be decreased or increased, depending on what they are intended for. So, the distance between the pegs can be made between 5-6 cm (for thin mats) and 10-12 cm (for thick mats).

3. Place a metal tying wire (galvanized) between the pegs.

4. Knitting of mats: we put reed bundles between the stakes (we try to keep them the same) and wrap them with wire. The same principle is used in knitting ordinary brooms.

There is an even easier way.

1. A layer of reeds is laid on a galvanized wire.

2. The same wire is placed on top of the reed.

3. The upper and lower wires are fastened together with metal staples.

It is not necessary to tighten the bunches of reeds strongly - in this case, the mats will turn out to be cold. But mats of too weak tightening come out loose, the wind blows them. Moreover, they are short-lived - they fall apart. When making reed mats, it is enough to tie bundles of 1 m long with wire in 4 places.

Reed mats, which have already been treated with means that protect the material from burning, are on sale. If you make mats with your own hands, before starting work, the dried raw materials (actually, reeds) must be treated with a fire retardant to protect the wood from burning.

Where to use reed mats

First of all, mats made from reeds are used to insulate buildings (walls and roofs).

From such mats, you can build outbuildings on the site, a garden house and even a full-fledged house. Construction proceeds quickly: the mats are fixed in a frame (usually wooden), after which they are plastered on the outside and inside.

Also, original gazebos, awnings, shelters, windproof walls, etc. are obtained from this material.

Novice needlewomen and craftsmen are faced with the problem of the material. At first, it is difficult to decide what kind of crafts and character you want to build. Then the question arises about what material to use and how to work with it correctly. Therefore, you should study in advance the topic of future crafts and make your choice. For weaving from reeds, you need to know some subtleties about preparing reeds for a product for beginners. Having studied the details of this case, you will know how to weave a fence, a mat, and any things from reeds and cattails.

There is nothing difficult when choosing any weaving technique. It is important to know the basics of some knots, diagrams, or the basics of constructing structures, in order to simply start working with a craft in one or another do-it-yourself weaving technique.

Choosing reeds as a basis for crafts, you can easily build not only baskets and hats, but even slippers. The world of crafts made from this material is very diverse, so do not even think about them, but start doing it. Numerous master classes and schemes for performing work are not uncommon for modern needlewomen and craftsmen.

Looking at the beautiful wicker baskets, hats and accessories, we admire the craftsmanship of their creators. Humanity has reached unprecedented heights in weaving from cattails and reeds in more than one day - the art of weaving is more than 8.5 thousand years old.

Our ancestors began to weave containers and baskets much earlier than making ceramic and fabric items. Boxes, containers and vases made of plastic, metal or paper, which we use to this day, in everyday life for storing and transporting various household items, in those days, reeds and cattail leaves were made.

The first wicker baskets appeared in the Middle East and Africa eight and a half thousand years ago. Later, judging by the finds in the excavations of old civilizations - in Egypt, they are more than 5 thousand years old. It should be noted interesting fact: the way of weaving baskets has not undergone fundamental changes for thousands of years. The baskets that are still woven in Egypt are not much different from the finds of archaeologists.

On European territory, wicker baskets appeared much later: in the area of ​​the town of Glastonberry, in Great Britain, a rare basket was found, which, according to experts, is about two thousand years old.

In those ancient times, human life was inconceivable without wickerwork from the moment of birth to death. The mother rocked the newborn baby in a cradle made of grass, the human bed was nothing more than a mat - a wicker rug, and was escorted into another world in a coffin woven from willow rods.

This master class was created in order to teach you how to use simple little things for the construction of crafts. Here you will find photos, diagrams and videos for making items from reeds. You will learn a lot of new and useful information.

We learn step by step weaving from reeds for beginner craftsmen

To make a basket for small things from reeds, you need:

• Dry reeds
• Accessories
• Stationery knife.

With the correct execution of the sequential actions, you can master perfectly the technique of making products from reeds and cattails.

1. Weave the bottom of the reed basket in a circle.
2. When the bottom is complete, proceed to the sides of the basket.
3. Weave the walls. Cut off the excess particles with a knife.
4. When the product is brought to the final stage, decorate with accessories if you wish to refine it and give it a zest.

Your small basket is ready. Use it for joy!

Reed weaving will not seem boring for beginners. And when you see the result of your labor, you will absolutely love this business. Do not be lazy, try to master this technology for making crafts.

Recently, DIY crafts are appreciated more and more. In our age of robots and conveyor production, to build a beautiful thing that will be solid and pleasing to the eye. appearance, maybe not everyone. And only a craftsman with golden hands and a faithful eye can breathe life into a thin twig of a reed leaf, create a real masterpiece from it.

Many are afraid to make crafts with their own hands, in view of the fear of building something wrong. Naturally, if you do something for the first time, chances are that the thing will not work the first time. Therefore, it is worth treating with special awe and attention to your work. Sometimes, these simple criteria are enough for the craft to turn out to be a masterpiece.

In search of the very thing that you really would like to buy, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort, and then also a large amount of money to buy it. Try to make products yourself. You will definitely succeed!

Related videos

Harvested during the flowering period. During this time, the leaves gain sufficient strength, but still retain their flexibility. You should go to the collection not earlier than the middle of summer. The reed is cut with a large knife or sickle.

When properly dried under a canopy, the leaves retain their natural olive green color. Under the sun better material do not dry, as it loses its strength and acquires a golden-fawn hue. Unless you plan to start weaving right away, keep the leaves tied in bunches. If necessary, the leaves can be dyed and bleached with synthetic dyes. Leaves 1 cm wide are suitable for weaving, if the leaf is too large, it is cut in half.

Using the weaving method, you can create unique and useful things: trays, baskets and decorative vases. To weave a tray, pick 15 leaves and make "racks" out of them. Take 6 reed leaves, which will be equal in length to the diameter of the bottom, 6 more leaves should be the same in width and length. Add new leaves as you weave the bottom.

When the diameter of the bottom reaches the required size, weave the "string" into two sheets and lay on the bottom, continue to weave the walls of the future tray. Once you have reached the required height, complete the braiding with a double rope. Using an awl, straighten the rows of weaving.

Reed curtain

If weaving is difficult for you and you are used to getting results quickly, make a curtain from reeds. For the curtain, you need a stalk of reeds, it is cut into its component parts with a sharp knife, carefully scrolling.

Each link is pierced with a knitting needle and the fishing line is pulled. You can decorate the curtain using multi-colored beads and plastic rings. The length of the curtain should be equal to the height of the doorway. After completing the assembly work, tie the resulting threads to a bar with drilled holes.

Reed paper

This paper is perfect for decorating a notebook. For cooking, cut the reeds into pieces, discarding the joints. Place the stems and lye in a suitable container. Caustic soda can be used as alkali. After the stems are soft, rinse them under running water.

Add flax seeds to the resulting milled mass. Thanks to this, the liquid will become more liquid and viscous, convenient for casting. Prepare the fabric stretched over wooden base, and through a sieve pour the mass to form a sheet. Smooth with a knife and press with a cloth. Once dry, the sheets can be used.

Thanks to the development of small business in Russia, new types of services, jobs and new goods appear. So, if you have long had an idea to start your own business, the following information should guide you in some way.

One of the demanded types of services is custom-made products from reeds.

Since recently there has been a shift away from plastic and other similar artificial materials in favor of a natural product.

Reed products as a business

Why can reed products be in demand?

Designers more often use interior items, jewelry made from natural material... V in this case- reeds. Bars, beauty salons, private cottages and so on can be decorated with such products. In addition, there is an option when whole roofs, gazebos, slabs are made from reeds. Of course, these are not products for interior decoration, but quite a popular direction for private business. In this case, you need to purchase special equipment. The idea of ​​a "reed" business involves more than one direction. One has only to include imagination and adequately assess their own capabilities.

Any undertaking requires investment. If there are restrictions on funds, then you will have to take out a loan. Now banks are more willing to ease the conditions for granting loans to small businesses. It remains to choose the bank that will provide a loan on the most acceptable terms.

The next question is the rent of the premises, where the raw materials will be stored and where the production takes place, as well as the storage of finished products. In Moscow, for example, commercial lease of premises will require a significant financial investment. The farther from the megacities, the cheaper and more affordable rent for those who wish to have their own business.

The first concern will be finding reed suppliers. After all, not every reed is suitable for production. You can, accordingly, get reeds on your own. If by hand, then only manual tools are needed, if on a large scale, then a special harvester or a mower boat should be purchased, this will cost about 400 thousand rubles.

Registering your own business as an individual entrepreneur will take you about a week of time and about 2 thousand rubles.

Further, it is required to master the basic principles of manufacturing goods that are competitive in the market. Then, traditionally, advertising. Creation of your own image, the face of the company. As well as the issue of selling products, one of the options can be your own specialized store, or you can sell through an already existing network of retail outlets, supermarkets, an online store.

An important issue is also accounting. Either you go to an accounting firm, or you hire an accountant. Another option is mastering accounting on your own.

There are many ideas for starting your own business... Currently, products made from natural materials are in high demand. You just need to fill this niche in the market in time.

If you think carefully, how many interesting and unusual things can be made from reeds! This is such a grateful material that even in small things pleases the eye. You just have to cut off a short golden piece with internodes and you immediately understand that there is no desire to let go of it.

For a long time, passing by thickets of reeds, I did not perceive it in any way - well, grass and grass, only of high "growth". Then she began to look more closely. And, finally, I simply cut a whole bunch of it and assigned it "to my place of residence" under a canopy.

And again there is a big temporary pause. However, the reaction in my head has already started. And so. The pier glass was born. Of course, it is partially reed. The reed here acts more as a decoration. Because this is not bamboo, to carry any serious load in the form of a hair dryer, various creams, periodically - some rather heavy instrument, etc. In general, due to a complete lack of experience, I decided not to risk it.

Yes, this very pier was my first reed product. To begin with, I tried to find as much information as possible on the Internet. But alas! To my great disappointment, the omniscient internet didn't give me ANYTHING! Drills, frames for photos and "wind chime" I do not count. I had to use my imagination and think about every step myself.

To begin with, I picked up the tool. Here is the one that turned out to be the most suitable for me and at that time did not require special material costs:

1.drawing tools: pencil, protractor, ruler, eraser,

2.scissors,

3.glue gun,

4.scissors,

5.knife with notches (had to be expropriated from kitchen utensils),

6. superglue and glue "Moment",

8. masking tape.

First of all, I asked my husband to transform an ordinary bedside table. The standard depth seemed completely superfluous to me. The depth has been halved, and the boxes, respectively. It was necessary to decide how she would stand. We decided that it was completely unnecessary to put it completely on the floor, but to make it seem to hang above the floor. To do this, they attached two small legs in front - stands and hung them on the wall, screwing screws into the wall, and to the nightstand with back side attaching the hinges. And the walls of the side of the bedside table were rounded, covering the sections with thin strips of reed, which I will talk about below. Wonderful!

To get my hands on and understand from which side to approach the reed, I began to work with the lining of the drawers.

Of course, first I wiped the dust off the reeds. Then, choosing according to the thickness, she cut with a knife (one might say, sawed off) reed stubs with a length equal to the height of the box. Then, splitting them into equal halves, she began to glue from the edge with a gun.

Advice: if the surface is varnished, it is advisable to clean it with sandpaper, otherwise the reeds will come off.

The top and bottom of the reeds are different, so you need to watch so as not to get a slope that will ruin all the beauty. For this I drew vertical stripes in a hot order. purely to navigate from time to time. Now you're done!

Now we carefully measure the length and width of the box and, adding half a centimeter to them from all sides, select plump reeds and cut them at an angle of 90 degrees. Now we split it in half and try it on the sidewall, making sure that the sections coincide as much as possible. Happened? We put on glue. This will be the glue gun again. We pour more on the corners, because the corners need strength. We are waiting for it to freeze.

The same operation is performed on each box, not forgetting to monitor the symmetry of the execution. I, for the lack of experience, simply slipped here and there. Now we estimate, put a mark where we have handles, glue a piece of scotch tape on this place so that the reeds do not split and carefully drill holes. I had them in the drawers, all that was left was to make holes in the reeds.

Advice: when purchasing handles, keep in mind that the thickness of the front wall of the drawer has increased, which means that the screws for the handles are needed longer.

Let's take a look at the countertop. I wanted to make it like this.

As you can see, the lack of experience affects: one could only dream about the evenness of the pattern. But ... hunting is worse than bondage.

We cut the reeds, removing the joints, then we split them into strips of such a width that the bend is minimal, therefore, the stripes are flatter. We draw vertical stripes on the countertop as it is in the photo or whatever suits you best. We cut the stripes into short ones at an angle of 45 degrees on both sides. While waiting to withstand the tilt, I had to, besides vertical stripes, draw a bunch of obliques from left to right and right to left. Now you can glue it.

Advice: don't forget to clean the slices and anything that snaps off.

It was more convenient for me to glue the svehi down. Then you can see how your pattern lays down ... Done! We make the edging, as well as on the drawers. As you can see, I had to put two canes side by side to cover my home surface and to complete it. And be sure to have more glue on the corners to increase the strength.

I decided to simply lay out the side walls of the bedside table with a simple pattern of the same narrow stripes.

It's time to move on to the mirror. I had a task: to make beautifully around the mirror, tying it to the bedside table and not forgetting to "beat" the socket with the switch. To begin with, I made a "frame" of foam around the mirror. There is already someone who has something.

The reed fits well on polystyrene, and on wood, and on chipboard. With foam it is easier: lightweight, well cut and glued.

I wanted to see the result as soon as possible.

The idea was of a more complex form, but again impatience ... In general, she did not rack her brains and did it like this. Well, and again, just like on the boxes: measure, cut, clean, glue and, of course, do not forget to carefully make the edging. To achieve a rounding of the shape, we cut the reeds at a certain angle. There will already, of course, be "Saber Dance". But, nevertheless, you will need to close both the outer edge and the inner one, around the mirror. Do not forget about the socket with the switch. They will also need to be carefully pasted over, closing the sections of the trot.

I had to suffer at the corners, urging on. It was necessary to trim, clean and glue partially overlapping one end. Having reached the top, we measure out the middle. I accidentally "turned up" reeds that differ in color. And I decided to insert them symmetrically to each other. The husband did the wiring, so I will not explain. I asked him to make the "mustache" stiff. I wrapped them at first just with wire, and then covered with colored varnish. The result is nice light and dark stripes. In three places I rolled them up, planting them on glue. Moment with bent strips of reed (I wrote how to bend them in my article about a reed chandelier). At the ends, I decided to make something like flowers. But again I had to contact my husband about the choice of light bulbs. The most suitable were HRS51 220V 35W GU5.3 halogen reflector lamps. Just in case, I write their name in detail. Such lamps are so good that they are easy to change, yes, in principle, and the lighting is suitable. But this is already a matter of taste.

The husband secured their base, and work began again. I wove each petal of the flower separately from aluminum wire covered with golden varnish(I got this in my bins), then fixed it at the base of the base and pasted it over for beauty with the same long-suffering stripes. Only now she did not bend it, but cut it into short ones and glued it upright. Then I covered up the cuts and - voila! The fixtures are ready!

Strictly speaking, ready and dressing table. We check if everything is done as it should, we clean off the glue that has come out, and also if somewhere we forgot to clean up the sections, we do it. Perhaps, somewhere, something has not grabbed, we glue it now. Everything? Now the time has come - we cover our dressing table with varnish.

I believe that the most suitable colorless varnish. I have a semi-gloss acrylic varnish. The result is just wonderful!

And then, when the varnish dries, the surface of the reed will give out all its beauty. Believe me, those who saw my dressing table "live" could not believe that it was not bought, but made by hand.