Grape Vine Wreath Tutorial
Grape vines can be a nuisance, especially when they’re smothering your favorite landscape plants. However, they are the perfect material for weaving wreaths. If you’d rather get creative with your bothersome vines instead of tossing them in your compost bin, then read on.
Step One: Gather
When choosing vines for your wreath, look for ones that are still green instead of brown and dried. Dried vines will be brittle, and you’ll have a hard time manipulating them into the wreath shape. You can find green vines between September and November, depending on where you are in the state. Try to gather a mix of thin and thick vines. Thicker vines are ideal for creating the structure of the wreath while thinner vines fill in the gaps. The number of vines that you’ll need depends on their length and thickness but aim to collect at least five vines that are about seven to eight feet long. We recommend wearing gloves while you work to protect your hands from sharp twigs and bark.
Step Two: Trim
Once you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to snip unwanted leaves and stems. You’ll want to remove all stems and leaves and most of the tendrils. Leaving a few tastefully placed tendrils can elevate your wreath.
Step Three: Weave
Begin by forming your thickest vine into a circle. Be intentional with the diameter of the circle since it determines the final size of your wreath. Continue to weave the vine around itself and then tuck the end of the vine into a gap in the weave. The thicker vines may be prone to splitting a bit as you bend them. Don’t worry if this happens; you can always snip any parts of the vine that are sticking out once you’re done. Continue weaving the rest of your vines by tucking one end into the wreath, wrapping the vine around the wreath, and wedging the other end into the wreath to finish it. A good rule of thumb is to start with your thickest vine and finish with your thinnest.
Step Four: Refine
Now that your wreath has reached the desired thickness, it’s time to perfect the shape. Squeeze and bend the wreath to get it as close to a circle as you can. Go ahead and snip any twigs, loose bark, and undesired tendrils that may be sticking out as well. If any of the vine ends are noticeably protruding, trim those down too.
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Step Five: Get Creative
You may be happy with how your wreath looks as-is, but don’t be afraid to get creative too! Jazz up your wreath by adding bows, bells, or even decorations from your yard. You could add a pop of red by tucking magnolia pods loaded with seeds into the wreath or bring in some green with branches of holly or cedar (bonus points if the branches have berries).