To make dry willow flexible again, you need to soak it in water.
Making willow flexible is typically achieved through a process called soaking. This restores moisture to the dried wood, allowing it to bend without breaking. According to the provided reference regarding preparing willow for basket making, soaking willow can make it nearly as flexible as when it was freshly cut.
The general rule for soaking willow to regain flexibility is based on its length:
- Soak Time: One day per foot or thirty centimeters of willow length.
So, if you have a piece of willow that is 3 feet long, it would need to soak for approximately three days. Similarly, a piece 90 centimeters long would need about three days of soaking (since 90 cm is roughly three times 30 cm).
Why Soaking Works
Dried willow has lost much of its natural moisture. This makes the wood brittle and prone to snapping when bent. Submerging the willow in water allows the wood fibers to reabsorb moisture, swelling slightly and becoming pliable. This rehydration process mimics the state of fresh willow, which is naturally flexible due to its high water content.
Practical Steps for Soaking Willow
- Choose a Container: Find a trough, tank, or large container long enough to fully submerge the willow rods.
- Submerge the Willow: Place the willow rods entirely underwater.
- Calculate Soaking Time: Determine the longest piece of willow you are soaking and apply the rule: one day per foot (or 30 cm). All the willow in that batch should soak for this maximum duration.
- Check Flexibility: After the calculated soaking time, remove a piece and test its flexibility. It should bend easily without cracking or breaking.
- Use the Willow: Once flexible, the willow is ready to be used for weaving or other crafting purposes. It's best to use the willow relatively soon after soaking, as it will start to dry out and lose flexibility again over time.
Understanding the correct soaking time is crucial. Soaking for too short a period will not make the willow flexible enough, while soaking for too long can potentially damage the fibers or encourage mold growth. Following the guideline of one day per foot or 30 centimeters, as suggested by experts in the field, ensures the willow reaches optimal flexibility for crafting.
