Pine needles can be used in creative art projects.
Pine needles are the only green growth on pine trees, since pine trees do not have leaves. Pine trees are common in forests all across the United States. Before the fragrant pine needles fall from the branches, they are flexible and can be bent into various shapes. You can make a sweet smelling sachet or a decorative basket with pine needles from the trees in your yard.
Instructions
Pine Needle Basket
1. Place all your pine needles in a pan with a pint of boiling water. Allow the needles to soak for about 10 minutes until they are soft and tender.
2. Remove the needles from the water with tongs and place them on a plate covered with a paper towel. Let the needles dry.
3. Remove the caps from the needles by pulling it off with your fingers. Scrape any residue off of the needles with your thumbnail.
4. Cut 10 lengths of raffia. Thread the thick end of raffia through the tapestry needle and weave the raffia around a bunch of needles.
5. Curl the wrapped end into a spiraled loop. Continue wrapping the raffia around the pine needles in loop stitches about 1 inch apart, ensuring that the stitches cover the new row on the basket and attaches to the adjacent row).
6. Add pine needles by stuffing new ones into the ones already woven. When you run out of raffia, add another length to the needle and continue sewing.
7. After you've completed about eight rows, move your next row on top of the previous row to create the sides. Reduce the amount of pine needles used after completing four side rows to create a thin top.
8. Do a cross-stitch across the last row, and poke the tapestry needle into the inside of the basket where the raffia won't be seen. Cut the piece of raffia to finish your basket.
Pine Sachet
9. Gather a bunch of pine needles and remove the caps. Crush or cut the needles.
10. Place the needles in an old nylon. Tie the nylon with a ribbon.
11. Place the sachet in a sock or underwear drawer or in an open room and let the fragrance permeate the room.
