How to Make Lavender Sticks

Lavender sticks are a traditional way of scenting your closets and drawers. Their fragrance is long-lasting, and they add a nice decorative touch when placed inside a gift box. Each stick requires 13 to 17 stems of lavender flowers.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/4-inch-wide Satin Ribbons
• Pruning Shears
• Pruning Shears
• String

Making Lavender Sticks

1. Gather about 20 fresh lavender stalks with 18- to 24-inch stems.

2. Select stems that have fully open lower blossoms and top blossoms that are just beginning to open.

3. Strip off the leaves and the lowest flowers on each stem so that you have 4 to 5 inches of blossoms on the stem.

4. Gather an uneven number of stems - 11, 13, 15 or 17 - in one hand.

5. Tie the bunch tightly with string just below the lowest flowers.

6. Bend the stems over the blossoms just below the string.

7. Start at the top of the fold, and tuck the end of 1/4-inch-wide ribbon, satin-side up, into the blossoms.

8. Weave the ribbon under and over each stem, enclosing the blossoms. The first two rows will be difficult until you have secured the stems with the ribbon.

9. Continue weaving, working your way down until the entire length of blossoms is enclosed within the ribbon and stems.

10. Wind the ribbon around the bottom portion of the stems.

11. Tie a bow at the bottom.

12. Trim the ends of the stems.

13. Place lavender sticks in drawers, hang them in closets, and use them for gift wrapping.