What To Weave With When You Don't Have Harakeke

BE RESOURCEFUL

Imagine migrating from a tropical island and arriving in Aotearoa to a completely different climate, landscape, flora and fauna.Adapting to this challenge would have taken resourcefulness! Just as our tupuna did back then - don't be afraid to experiment with what you have at hand. Here are some ideas that came from our Recycle Challenge in 2016 that should help to get the creative juices flowing . . .

Kono and konae woven using alternative materials by Chris Walsh, Hawaii - a student with the Hetet School

Pictured: Kono woven using Hetet School weaver, Chris Walsh, using ribbon woven doubly to "add a little stiffness" and BISMARKIA PALM which Chris says is "rough, tough and very inflexible" Photo credit: Chris Walsh, Hawaii

Recycled Fertiliser Bags woven by Annette van Steenwijk

RECYCLED PAPER

Kono woven from recycled fertiliser bags by Annette van Steewijk - student with the Hetet School

Kono and Konae woven from paper strips

Kono woven from paper by Polly-Alida-Farrington student with Veranoa Hetet at Hetet School of Māori Art

Above: Kono woven by Polly-Alida-Farrington

Raranga technique with Riboon woven by Chris Walsh, student with Veranoa Hetet at Hetet School of Māori Art

WOVEN RIBBON

Woven by Chris Walsh.Chris says "This is the kind of thing you do when you don't have harakeke to hand, but DO have access to a whole bunch of ribbon... Thoroughly enjoyed the process!

"Ribbon is VERY fussy and fiddly."

PLASTIC STRAPPING Woven by Keri Thompson

Raranga woven with plastic strapping by Keri Thomspon student with Veranoa Hetet at Hetet School of Māori Art

RECOMMENDED FOR EASY WEAVING

In this post in the Hetet School Weavers Community from our International Kaimanaaki, Rebecca Small recommended the following

Harakeke Alternatives

Now it's your turn to have fun! See what you can find to weave with Think stiffened fabric, painted canvas, old calendars, cereal boxes . . . .