Wheat Weaving: Getting Started Basics

Wheat weaving is an ancient art, yet just as beautiful today as it was thousands of years ago, and while the symbology of wheat weaving has diminished somewhat, the aesthetic value has not. The practice began thousands of years when farmers would worry about their crops. In hopes of ensuring a bountiful harvest, a farmer would save the last few stalks of wheat in his field and weave them into a design (usually something symbolic to the particular culture) in hopes of capturing the spirit of the good harvest. The following spring, the wheat weaving was taken apart and those were the first grains to be planted with the intent of ensuring a good crop.

Wheat weavings are also known as “corn dollies” from the fact that many European countries refer to all grains, including wheat, as “corn.” Though wheat weaving is the most common term, they can be woven from pretty much any type of grain with a stem including rye, barley, oats, timothy, or pretty much any thin-stalked weed that grows wild. I myself prefer to use rye because the stems are longer, but it’s often more difficult to weave with for a beginner. If you do choose to weave with rye, however, use stems that are not fully ripened, as slightly green rye has much more pliability. And if you still desire the blond color, just leave the weaving out in a sunny spot for a few days and it will bleach the green color right out of it.