Straw Plaiting

Veronica Main's guide looks at straw plaiting, a traditional technique that has been used for centuries to make hats, baskets, handbags, trimmings and household items in many countries. At its height the craft provided work for tens of thousands of people in Britain alone, but it has declined so far that Heritage Crafts now lists it as Critically Endangered on its Red List.

The book aims to reverse that decline by presenting more than fifty patterns and techniques from around the world, many never published before. Each pattern is shown with step-by-step diagrams and written instructions, together with an account of how it was developed. Readers also learn about suitable materials, tools and how to prepare the straw. The guide is aimed at anyone interested in working with straw.

Once comfortable with the basic plaiting methods, which can be worked in straw or other materials, makers can begin to design their own pieces. The book suggests blending in recycled materials, a growing trend that can yield distinctive, one-of-a-kind work.