Straw Plaiting – Rustic Plait (Tyrolean Plait)

Straw Plaiting or Weaving is a method of manufacturing textiles by braiding straw. Today I want to show you a simple technique you can use for pretty edgings. It’s called “Rustic Plait” or “Tyrolean Plait”.

Let your straw soak in warm water for a little while before you begin with the plaiting. That way it will be bendable and doesn’t break so easily.

Tutorial:

1. Begin with two straight straws. Bend one straw around the other like it’s shown in the picture. I numbered every end for better orientation.

2. Bend straw number 1 to the right over straw number 2. It should be placed parallel to straw number 3 now.

3. Bend straw number 4 around and behind straw number 3 and up to the top. Weave over straw number 1. It should now be placed parallel to straw number 2.

4. Bend straw number 2 horizontally to the right side over straws 4 and 1 and under straw number 3.

5. Bend straw number 2 around straw number 3 to the front and under straw number 1 to the top. It should be placed parallel to straw number 4.

6. Bend straw number 3 horizontally to the left side over straws 1 and 2 and under straw number 4.

7. Bend straw number 3 around straw number 4 to the front and under straw number 2 to the top. It should be placed parallel to straw number 1.

 

Repeat steps 4 – 7 until your plait has reached the desired length. You can always extend the straws by sliding a new straw over or inside the shorter straw.

I made a video demonstration of the plaiting:

I used this beautiful straw edging in my tutorial for this Straw Pentagram Star. Check it out if you want. 🙂