Flax Weaving for Children of all Ages – “Te Raranga Harakeke mā ngā Tamariki Katoa” is a collection of 16 weaving projects which I’ve found to be popular for using in short workshops — for children and young adults, for people with different abilities, for older people and for any weaver when there’s only a little time for weaving and find their fingers are itching to weave. Suitable for both beginning and experienced weavers of all ages and abilities this book gathers together popular traditional weaving projects, contemporary projects and new designs. Although a few of the projects are in my other books — or my website — they are included here as they are always asked for.
The projects start with the ever-popular traditional two-cornered small basket, made with wide strips and completed in 1–3 hours, depending on the weaver. 
Weaving a small basket like this is a great project for those starting out in flax weaving, and it’s good for giving away, perhaps with some added flowers, as a beginning weaver’s first project. Designs for variations on this basket, including an envelope-type version, which is perfect for keeping its contents safe, show the versatility of this basic basket style.
Along with the ever-popular baskets, instructions for two sorts of flowers and some fish are included. Angelfish are a long-time favourite for weaving in many Pacific countries and 
I’ve included a simple way to weave these which you may find easier than the usual wind-around-the-hand version. A swarm of angelfish look stunning when woven with brightly-coloured flax. Instructions for a couple of larger fish are included as well. A new design for wriggly eels — one of my favourites — is a simple, creative weaving project to celebrate this tāonga / treasure of Aotearoa. An excellent project for younger ones.
Weaving counters for board games can be a group project suitable for all levels of weavers, with all participants then being able to use their own flax counters to play games. 
Instructions for making your own games board, shown being played on here, are included. Another project included in the book are mats of various sizes, from coasters through to large outdoor mats that can be used in all sorts of practical ways.
These are straightforward to weave — the instructions are also used to weave an oblong sail for a raft made with flax flower stalks — the last project in the book. Large woven mats come in useful in all sorts of situations, and pets love them. Lily that cat made this one hers straight away!
Also part of the book’s collection are instructions for a simple but elegant star, two ways to make rope or cordage that’s useful for all sorts of things, a wristband that’s particularly popular with young adults, balls, paintbrushes, and two dragons / taniwha— which are simple enough for younger children to make, and popular with older ones too.
The final project is the flax–flower–stalk raft, a cool way of learning twining / whatu. A woven flax sail can be added to the raft if desired. This is such a fun project and you could spend hours playing with the raft bobbing about in the water. I did!
The book includes some basic te reo Māori kupu / words used in flax weaving, which can give everyone the opportunity to learn some of the terms while taking part in weaving.
New Zealand flax, a traditional weaving tāonga for Māori, is a perfect material for creative projects. It grows throughout Aotearoa / New Zealand and is free to gather, although it’s important to seek permission from local iwi, landowners or council before cutting it on public land.
With its strength, durability, flexibility while green, and its hardness when dry, it provides a lot of scope for making practical items. With its flexibility, strength and beautiful appearance — either in its natural state or dyed — it’s an excellent material for many creative endeavours. As a sustainable and biodegradable resource, it’s also a perfect weaving material for a world with too much plastic.
Flax Weaving for Children of all Ages – Te Raranga Harakeke mā ngā Tamariki Katoa, ISBN 978-0-473-72981-3, is a book of 82 pages bound between covers in a plastic-comb spine, which allows it to open out flat for easy use when following the instructions. It is written by me, and printed and published by Browncraft Ltd. It’s available direct to the public through my on-line shop.
© Ali Brown 2024