Wheat Weaving

Wheat weaving is a very old practice dating back to ancient times. Originally a symbol of religious significence, it was believed to bring prosperity, luck, happiness and health. The stalks were woven into items of beauty to be hung in a place of honor until the spring seedling festival, when they were cast back to the soil, hoping the spirit that lived there would bring a good harvest. Wheat weaving almost died out due to the use of threshing machines which broke the stems. However, there has been a recent revival of interest. Each item is hand-woven.

Care for your Woven Wheat

Woven wheat items will last for decades once dried. Items have been found that date back over a hundred years. It is very easy to maintain your woven wheat items. Simply spray (mist) some water on it once or twice a year to keep the moisture content up. However, never hang it where it will get wet and stay wet. It will sprout in a few days if it remains wet. There are two ways to clean the woven wheat items:

• The dry method is to take a simple soft-bristled paint brush and just brush off the dust. Brush in the direction of the fine hairs of the wheat heads.
• The wet method is to wash it gently. Fill a sink with warm water and a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid. Swish the piece in the water and use a soft-bristled paint brush to lightly scrub off any dust. Rinse off and place on a towel to dry.

The following are examples of wheat weaving that can be found at our farm store and on our shop at Etsy:

• Standing wheat bouquet
  Go to Etsy
  
  This standing wheat bouquet is embellished with woven wheat accents and finished with a straw rose. The bouquet is mounted on a natural oak stand made from wood harvested on our farm in central New Jersey. The bouquet is approximately 15 inches tall (measured from the base to the tips of the wheat beards) and is approximately 6 inches wide. The wheat beards are the long tips on the end of the wheat kernels. Even though this woven wheat bouquet looks fragile, it's very durable and will last for years as long as it is kept dry. It can be gently brushed with a soft brush or feather duster for cleaning.

• Wheat #1
  Go to Etsy
  
  Wheat ornaments have been woven for thousands of years and were made for harvest celebrations, gifts for sweet hearts, and as house warming gifts. Wheat weaving disappeared when mechanical wheat threshers came into use for harvesting wheat. The threshers cut the tops off of the wheat and made it unsuitable for weaving. Wheat weaving was rediscovered in the 1960's and since then has grown in popularity. This wheat bouquet represents prosperity and is a perfect house warming gift.
• Wheat #2
  
  
  
• Wheat #3
  
  
  
• Wheat #4
  
  
  
• Wheat #5
  
  
  
• Wheat #6