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2 Thread a needle with plastic string to

prepare for stitching. Start coiling the

bundle into a flat circle around the knot,

stitching through the centre of the coil to

keep the grass in place. This is the trickiest

bit, so don’t be discouraged if at first it

seems a bit difficult.

3 Continue to coil a circle, stitching the

plastic string through the core material

in the previous row. The stitches should

be about 5mm apart. Once the first couple

of rows are completed, it becomes easier

as you have more material to grip. See

picture 2 (previous page). Try to maintain

an even tension all round for a neatly

rounded coaster. If the circle becomes

a bit a wonky, gently manipulate it back

into a circle (grasses are quite easy to

manipulate, particularly early on, so it’s

important to keep an eye on the first few

rows of coiling).

4 When the bundle of core material thins

out, incorporate new strands into the

bundle to keep the diameter consistent.

See picture 3 (previous page).

5 When you’re left with only a short length

of stitching material, thread the end into

the previous row. To introduce a new

length of string, thread it a couple of wraps

back (you may have to hold it in place

while you make the next couple of stitches

to ensure it stays secure). See picture 4.

6 Stitch your coaster until it measures

roughly 9cm in diameter, or until you

have 6-8 concentric rows. Finish by

threading the string into the previous row

several times, then cross stitch it to the

previous row to secure.

7 Trim any excess materials, and your

coaster is done! Repeat to make a set, using

different colours of string if you like.

Taken from Baskets by Tabara N’Diaye

(Quadrille). Photography: Penny Wincer.

Illustration: Aurelia Lange

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