Soaking is essential: Dried willow is rigid and will snap if you try to bend it. You need to soak your willow rods in cold water for 3–4 days before you start weaving. This rehydrates the fibres and makes them flexible enough to work with.

Use cold water only: Hot water can cause the bark to discolour and the willow to become slimy. Cold water keeps the rods clean and the bark intact.

Where to soak: A bathtub, large storage box, or even a garden pond works well. The rods need to be fully submerged — weigh them down if they float. Change the water if it starts to look murky.

Mellowing matters: After soaking, wrap your rods in a damp towel and leave them for 12–24 hours. This lets the moisture distribute evenly through the fibres, making them more pliable and less likely to crack while you work.

Don't over-soak: Leaving willow in water for more than 5–6 days can make it waterlogged, mushy, and prone to mould. Stick to 3–4 days.

If rods still feel stiff, soak for another 12–24 hours and mellow again. Some thicker rods may need a little extra time.

You can pause mid-project: Wrap your work-in-progress in a damp towel or pop it back into your unsealed soaking bag. It'll stay workable for a day or two. If it dries out, lightly mist it with water.

Tools are included. Each kit comes with basketweaver's snips, floristry wire, twine, and a stabilising base — everything you need alongside the willow.