If you have used a soaking bag then the water can be emptied out and the willow left to mellow in the bag. Otherwise, wrap the rods in a damp blanket or hessian and leave to mellow overnight.
Mellowing is a vital part of the process as it enables the very centre of the rod to become pliable. Always lie the rods down to mellow. Do not stand them up!
If a rod has black spots then it is no longer useable. If only a few rods have black spots, pull these out to stop the mould spreading. The rods will need to be dried.
If rods are greasy, the bark is shredding or they squash easily, it may be possible to thoroughly dry the willow out before re-soaking. Any mould (not black spots) will need to be wiped off first.
Please remember that repeated re-soaking will cause the willow to lose its colour.
The telltale signs that willow has been over-soaked are;
The amount of willow and the length of the rods will determine the most suitable options. Our weavers soak large quantities of willow, so metal troughs are our preferred method. For smaller amounts, a heavy duty soaking bag is ideal. Simply choose the size required.
Other options include a paddling pool, water butt, drainpipe (capped at the end) or an old bath. There are a few important things to remember;
Soaking and mellowing willow makes it flexible and easy to bend. If these processes are not correctly undertaken then the willow will kink or snap as it is woven with. Green (fresh cut) willow does not require soaking or mellowing as the rods contain enough moisture to make them flexible. Semi-dry willow may require some soaking and mellowing.
This will depend on the size and quantity of willow that needs to be soaked. All our soaking bags are heavy duty. The following width soaking bags are usually available;
6″ Soaking Bag
This is 2m long bag and the smallest size bag stocked. It is ideal for beginners and those who only need to soak a small handful of willow (around 250 grams). Rods up to 5ft in length can be accommodated in this bag.
10″ Soaking Bag
This bag is 2m long and can accommodate up to 2kg of 5ft willow.
10″ Large Soaking Bag
This is 2.5m long and each bag can accommodate 3 – 4kg of willow of up to 7ft in length.
12″ Medium Soaking Bag
This soaking bag is 2m in length. Each bag can accommodate up to 4kg of 5ft willow.
12″ Large Soaking Bag
The largest soaking bag stocked. This is 2.5m long and each bag can accommodate 5 – 6kg of willow of up to 7ft in length.
Soaking isn’t an exact science as there are lots of variables to take into consideration. The weather, water temperature and the length of time that the willow has been stored will all play a part.
Ideally, willow should be soaked in cold water. If you are in a hurry, warm or hot water will shorten the soaking time (as will soaking willow on a hot day). Mellowing is important. Mellowing is allowing the willow to ‘rest’ after soaking by wrapping it in hessian or a blanket overnight. (If the willow has been soaked in one of our soaking bags, carefully tip out the water and leave the willow in the bag to mellow.)
Do not soak your willow for too long or it may become greasy and/or split. This could render it un-useable. Soaking times for many varieties of willow are detailed on this site.
