Twig Heart Tutorial

On a surprise warm winter day I took time to collect supplies for this project. Most of it came from the stark New England roadside. Then, on a much colder day, I stayed inside and made these Valentine hearts for my entry ladder.

As promised, here is the tutorial:

Supplies need for EACH heart

• 6 green twigs- I used the new growth branches clipped from roadside bushes. They need to be 3 feet long with no side branches and very bendable. Test them because some branches snap when bent.
• Assortment of curly vines - mine were bittersweet which is also quite flexible and also harvested along the roadside.
• Several sprigs of red berries. I used dried bittersweet berries but other red berries will work (even faux berries)
• Twine
• Hot Glue
• Clippers
• Scissors

The Process:

• Collect the supplies.

• Test your branches for bendability. You want them to be able to bend like this....

• If they snap find a different variety.
• Take six in one hand. Arrange them so their tips are all within 3" of each other. You don't want them lined up but you also don't want them too staggered.
• Be sure the tips can bend down to form the heart shape. If they can't, rearrange the sticks.  

• About 14" down from the top you will make the top knot. This one will be right beneath the split in the heart. (Here is a link to a video showing the specifics of making a whipping knot - thanks to reader Lynne Carothers for sharing the proper name!)

• To start this knot take a length of twine about 24" long and make loop running along the twigs as shown above.

• Take the long end of the loop and starting at the bottom of the knot, wrap the twine tightly around the stems and both ends of twine forming the loop.
• Work your way up toward the loop with tight, closely place wraps of twine.
• Make 6-8 wraps around the twigs.
• After 6-8 wraps take the end of the twine and thread it through the loop you placed there and pull it tight.

• Grab the other end of the twine, the end that is still hanging out below all of the wraps and pull it down.  It should pull the loop down tightly on the top trapping the end behind the twine rounds. If you don't feel like it has pulled securely into the inside of the wraps then add a dot of hot glue to the ends to hold them in place. 
• When dry cut the twine ends.
• You should have a snuggly wrapped knot holding the twigs together.
• Bend three twigs down on each side of the center to form the heart shape.
• While holding them in place make a second knot at the base. It is the same type you made above.

• After the knot is complete, take the clippers and clip off the long fat ends of the twigs at an angle. Leave the tips.
• I left about 4-5" and cut at random lengths.

• Take short pieces of curly vine, especially lengths with character, and wrap them around the sides of the heart.

• The vines with their curly ends add a funkiness to the heart. I added 3-4 sections of vine to each heart.
• Slide short sections of red berries into the knots. Use a touch of hot glue to hold them in place if you aren't able to get them firmly wrapped in the vine.

• Then make some more.... to add to a ladder, hang in your windows, or share with special friends.

Previous Posts of Interest:

• Valentine Ideas • Incire
• Valentine Paper Trees
• Scandinavian Hearts
• Ideas for Valentine Cards
• Home is Where the Heart is • A Valentine Door (with Duck Tape!)
• Valentine Wreaths
• Valentine Centerpiece 2012
• Simple Valentine Centerpiece 2011

©2013AshbeeDesign, Marji Roy

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