Weavers say a karakia (prayer) before cutting the first blade of harakeke. They always cut on the diagonal, away from the plant’s heart and from top to bottom. This helps rainwater drain away and prevents the heart from being flooded and dying. Harvesting is not permitted at night or in rain.
How do you cut flax for weaving?
The outer leaves are cut in a downward motion as close to the base of the leaf as possible. (This will keep the flax plant healthy and it will keep growing, so that it can be harvested again.) Flax is not cut at night or in the rain or snow and only enough flax is cut to complete the weaving project.
How do you gather flax?
Grab a handful of stems at ground level, then pull the plants up by the roots and shake to remove excess soil. Gather the stems into a bundle and secure them with string or rubber bands. Then hang the bundle in a warm, well-ventilated room for three to five weeks, or when the stems are completely dry.
When can you cut harakeke?
Harakeke should be harvested during the day when the blades are dry, not at night or in the rain or frost – as a safety measure but also as doing so will affect the quality of the harakeke making it very brittle.
Can you cut harakeke at night?
The outer leaves are cut close to their base. Harakeke should not be harvested at night, in the rain, frost, wind or when it’s in flower as this also weakens the plant.
When can you cut flax?
In general, the best time for pruning New Zealand flax occurs in fall. Growers can prepare for winter by removing any flower stalks from the plant, and by removing any brown leaves which have been damaged by the sun.
How do you harvest flax for linen?
Harvest by pulling up handfuls of linen stalks by the roots. They come up easily if the ground is not compacted. Once the plants are pulled up, they are bundled into shooks that are the breadth of a hand and tied securely. The stalks themselves can be used to tie the bundle.
How do you process flax into linen?
Turning flax into linen is a complicated and lengthy process. Traditionally, the plant is pulled up by the roots and then dried. The seeds are then removed (a process known as rippling). The dry flax straw is then retted to separate the fibers from the woody parts of the plant stalk.
How is linen harvested?
To generate the longest possible fibers, flax is either hand-harvested by pulling up the entire plant or stalks are cut very close to the root. After harvesting, the plants are dried, and then the seeds are removed through a mechanized process called “rippling” (threshing) and winnowing.
How do you cut harakeke for weaving?
Weavers say a karakia (prayer) before cutting the first blade of harakeke. They always cut on the diagonal, away from the plant’s heart and from top to bottom. This helps rainwater drain away and prevents the heart from being flooded and dying. Harvesting is not permitted at night or in rain.
How do you split harakeke?
Use a fork and slowly work your way around the flax (or grass). Stick the fork in the ground and then lean on the handle, slowly lifting the plant. Take a step sideways and repeat. At the end you may need something longer to help pry it up if it is a big flax like a large pry-bar.
Why is flax important to Māori?
Flax was the most important fibre plant to Māori in New Zealand. … Clothing, mats, plates, baskets, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets were all made from flax leaves. Floats or rafts were made out of bundles of dried flower stalks.
Can you eat harakeke?
The seeds are highly edible. When white or green they are sweet and meaty. When black and shiny they are bitter. The sweet ones are nice on their own or sprinkled on a salad.