How to Weave Coconut Palm Fronds

Weave palm fronds into decorations.

Woven coconut palm fronds were probably among the first pliable building mediums, according to the Pacific Worlds website. Ancient peoples made hats, containers and even buildings from dried palm fronds. Though this art still exists today, the need for palm frond products has decreased greatly. Instead, people make decorative items from these leaves, weaving them into everything from decorative baskets to animals to religious symbols. Some of these projects are very simple while others are more complicated. The cross and the fish make perfect projects for beginners.

Things You'll Need

• Palm fronds
• Scissors

Instructions

Cross

1. Grip a palm frond about 6 inches from its base. Fold the frond down toward you so the point points down toward the floor.

2. Fold the frond up at a 45-degree angle about 2 inches from your first fold. The point should be sticking out to the right. Grip the frond about 2 inches from the center fold and fold it around to the front, creating the right arm of the cross. The point should be sticking out to the left. Grip the frond 2 inches from the center fold and fold it to the back, creating the second arm of your cross.

3. Wrap the rest of the frond around the center of the cross where all the arms meet, forming an X pattern. Slip the point of the frond through the wrapped X pattern and tug tightly to secure.

Fish

1. Fold two palm fronds in half, setting one on your left and one on your right. The flaps on the left frond are A and B from top to bottom. The flaps of the right frond are C and D from top to bottom. Open both fronds slightly and slip flap B between flaps C and D. Flap A should lay on top of flap C, C should be on top of B and B should be on top of flap D. Pull the fronds gently so they form a right angle with the corner to your left.

2. Bend flap C so it curls under itself and forms a loop. Bring flap B up and slip it through the loop created by flap C.

3. Slip the end of flap C under flap A and pull it toward you. Fold flap C back up over flap A and under the loop created by flap C. Tug the ends of all the fronds tight to create a woven gold fish shape. Snip all of the fronds at a 45-degree angle to look like fins.

References

• Pacific Worlds: Guam: Inarajan
• Origami Resource Center: Palm Weaving