Among the different types of needlework there are very simple, but at the same time pretty. For instance, ganutel, from which recently many craftswomen make flowers and jewelry. Basically, these are drop-shaped earrings of different colors, but in fact the possibilities of this technique are endless. You can make bracelets, necklaces, tiaras, hairpins and much more. It all depends on your imagination, and the right materials can easily be found even in your home.
What it is?
It is believed that the history of the Ganutel technique is associated with Brazil, where the earliest products of this kind are found. Initially, local residents used plant roots and wound seaweed on them, in the manner of Native American dream catchers. The manufacturing technique of these products really has a lot in common. However, unlike catchers, where the branches are dried, algae and roots were taken raw, and finished products were dried.
Later, the ganutel migrated with Christian pilgrims to Malta.
Here, the technique has changed significantly, thanks to which a new exclusive Maltese needlework has appeared.
Local nuns decorated the church with ganutel flowers and other items and the area around them.. Gradually, their skills became so famous that students began to come to them, and the ganutel spread throughout the world.
Needlework became so dear to the Maltese and Roman Catholics of Italy that even the name of the technique was ultimately taken Italian. "Ganutel" is translated as "twisted thread", which accurately reflects the main element of technology.
With the extinction of monasticism, the Maltese school also began to fade, however, on the initiative of the Government of Malta, budget schools and courses have recently begun to be created where you can learn this technique.
In Russia, the ganutel became popular not so long ago, but it confidently won admirers due to the simplicity and versatility of technology. Now it is not only everyday accessories and interior bouquets, but also evening or wedding decorations.
Materials and Tools
The main materials for the ganutel technique are wire and fishing line or threads of different colors. For a beginner, the best fit copper wire and floss, since these materials are relatively cheap and affordable at any sewing store. For the sake of special harmony of the product, you can pick up the wire and threads of the same color. Mouline thread comes in silk or metallic shimmer in different shades, so this will not be a problem. A more expensive option is silk thread.
Copper wire It is also chosen because it is much easier to work with it than with steel. It is quite flexible and pliable, and also holds its shape well. Be sure to check the purchased skein for the quality of the color coating and elasticity. Poor quality paint can peel off the wire during operation or already on the finished product, which will inevitably ruin its appearance. And the excessive elasticity of the wire, which is easily springy and bends poorly, suggests that this is not a copper wire, but alloy of copper and steel - it is much more difficult to work with such a material.
If you are making flowers, you may need green satin ribbons. They are also sold in almost every sewing store.
Ribbons are needed at the final stage of work, when the flower is already twisted and you need to give the stem an aesthetic look. For these purposes, you can use the floss, however, then you have to wind them for a long time on the wire. With ribbons, this work is faster, and such a stalk looks very beautiful.
In addition to the basic materials, you can use a lot of others. Some craftswomen even combine a ganutel with other techniques. For example, with beadwork - such a tandem of needlework is very popular in floral design. And stamens using beads for flowers are used almost everywhere.
From tools to you definitely need a long knitting needle or hook (the diameter depends on the thickness of the threads selected for the product). Will also be needed wire cutters for wire or metal scissors, and scissors for ribbons and threads.
Execution technique
Ganutel is a very simple technique available for beginners. You can easily make earrings or a flower with your own hands. Typically, such a product must be cut off half a meter of wire. Step by step, the implementation of such elements looks like this.
- Wrap the wire on a hook or knitting needle, holding it with your fingers so that all the turns tightly adjoin each other. So it will be easier to control the evenness of the turns, because strong deviations will be clearly visible on the finished product. You need to make about 40-45 turns, after which for several minutes hold the wire on the spoke so that it locks in a twisted shape.
- For earrings you will need two such springs, for a flower - according to the number of petals. Usually they are made at least five.
- Then remove the resulting spring from the knitting needle and fold it in the shape that you have chosen for your product. After this, you need to twist the ends of the wire together so that the product is fixed. Now there is a frame of the product, and you can begin to braid it with thread.
- Take the thread of the desired color, hold its tip at the base of the "petal" and wrap it around the entire perimeter.
- The easiest option is cross winding the thread on the frame. In this way a dense web with a wavy surface is created. The final winding of the thread is better to bring to the base of the "petal". Here, the two ends of the thread must be twisted and glued so that they do not unwind.
- For flower stamens, take a piece of wire and a bead of the appropriate color. Fold the wire in half and thread one end through the beads so that the bead is exactly in the middle.Now you can twist the ends of the wire or wrap them with thread.
- When all the petals and stamens are made, collect the flower and twist the ends of all the elements to make a single twisted trunk. This is the stem of the flower that you now need to wrap with ribbon. The product is ready!
If you decide to make not a flower, but earrings or a pendant, you will need to gently twist the ends of the wire and glue the ends of the thread.
It is best to take a pair of beads with a wide hole and push the ends through it.
The tip of the wire can also be made loop for earrings from the other end of the beadand then stretch the tip in the opposite direction and cut it off.
Where is it used?
This technique can be used for any crafts. Adult women most often do decoration, and for preschoolers and labor lessons in elementary grades the flowers or pendants. This needlework is safe for all children who already know how to handle scissors.
Also popular paintings with flowers and butterflies. To create them, you will additionally need superglue and thick cardboard to assemble all the elements together. You will also have to monitor the quality of the twist of the wire, since poorly twisted short ends can eventually fall apart.
How to make an orchid using the ganutel technique, see the video.
