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Woven willow obelisk - Step by step
This rustic-style obelisk makes an excellent frame for climbing plants. It is easy to make and, best of all, it costs nothing!
At quiet times of the year you can use it to mark a focus in the border; where it will remind you where any precious plants are hiding; and deter cats from digging up bare patches too.
All you need is about eight long poles, lots of thinner stems and some twine.
Once you have collected some suitable branches, it is best to use them as fresh as possible; but they can be soaked in water for a few days to keep them pliable.
Step 1
Choose eight strong, straight, poles and cut the bottom ends to a point to position the obelisk securely while you work. Fan these poles out, into the diameter of your finished obelisk, and tie them together firmly at the top.
Step 2
Start about a third of the way up your obelisk. Take a long pliable stem and bend it gently into a curve. Weave it around the poles by winding the stem ‘over’ one support pole and ‘under’ the next – you can tie this first circle in if necessary.
Step 3
Repeat this ‘under and over’ weaving, until each section is completed. When weaving with a new stem, start from a different position each time, weaving ‘over’ any poles that were woven ‘under’ last time. This holds each support firmly.
Step 4
Use your smallest stems to weave the top of the obelisk and to hide the twine. Snip any long stems that are protruding from the obelisk and neaten the tops of the poles. Sharp edges can be a hazard, so don’t cut the tops to a point.
TOP TIP
Stems from cornus, willow and hazel are the most flexible for weaving.
This woven obelisk is easy to make and will prove useful in your garden
Click on images to enlarge
Step 1
Choose eight strong, straight, poles and cut the bottom ends to a point to position the obelisk securely while you work. Fan these poles out, into the diameter of your finished obelisk, and tie them together firmly at the top.
Step 2
Start about a third of the way up your obelisk. Take a long pliable stem and bend it gently into a curve. Weave it around the poles by winding the stem ‘over’ one support pole and ‘under’ the next – you can tie this first circle in if necessary.
Step 3
Repeat this ‘under and over’ weaving, until each section is completed. When weaving with a new stem, start from a different position each time, weaving ‘over’ any poles that were woven ‘under’ last time. This holds each support firmly.
Step 4
Use your smallest stems to weave the top of the obelisk and to hide the twine. Snip any long stems that are protruding from the obelisk and neaten the tops of the poles. Sharp edges can be a hazard, so don’t cut the tops to a point.
