Treating Pine Needles with Glycerin

[@AndreMarascaEngenheiro]

I discovered that here in Brazil, in the northeast, we have crafts in golden grass "capim dourado" exactly like this one in pine needles, it's beautiful, it looks like it's made of gold

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Wow, that sounds beautiful!

[@clairebonneville-n3t]

Thank you for your generous sharing, very well explained and useful. Thanks to you I started last year, I now approach the treatment of pine needles with glycerin with complete confidence.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I'm so glad to hear that, Claire! Thanks for watching. --Jennifer

[@EatingAnElephant]

I am so excited to find these videos! Our yard is littered with pine needles from Lodge Pole Pines, I could make these in the thousands. LOL I can't wait to get my thread and glycerine so I can start making baskets. Thank you so much for these great informative videos. I appreciate the time it took to video and edit them for us. THANKS! 🥰

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Thanks so much! I'll be excited to hear about how it goes for you. Let me know if you have any questions and send pictures of your finished baskets to me ([e-mail])! --Jennifer

[@HeidiAndScots]

How did it go?

[@29Strannica]

Great video and detailed instructions! and just in time! I had doubts about glycerin treatment for my first pine needle project, but now I don't. Thank you!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yay! I'm so glad it was helpful!!! --Jennifer

[@myhope3901]

Love your videos, thanks for the subtitles ❤️❤️ ❤️ new sub from Spain

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Thanks so much! If there are some videos you want to watch that aren't translated. Some aren't available for auto-translate, but I can always check again.

[@7MoonSonoma]

Thanks and i found a way to get all the needles I want so I want to try this process.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yay! Let me know if you have questions! --Jennifer

[@pixxie1543]

Oooh this was exacrly the kind of information that I was looking for! Thank you so much 😄 I hope the glycerin isn't too expensive - I'm a little afraid to look it up haha

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

It's really not too bad when you consider how long it lasts. I bought a gallon jug for about $32 and I made more than 50 baskets with it (different sizes, some little, some big). You can start with a 16 oz bottle for $18 if you just want to try it, but I have a feeling once you try it, you'll never want to go back. :)

[@neilmandelin3589]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Glad it was helpful! --Jennifer

[@StephanieWillis-q6c]

So excited to try this project! I have Piedmont long leaf pine needles in the oven right now and am looking forward to getting to next steps. I'm guessing it's normal for the needles to be getting darker as they cook. Thank you so much for your great videos!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yes, they do deepen in color. They will lighten up a bit when they dry. If you reuse the glycerin, they can get really dark, so it's fun to play with the colors. Have you found my step-by-step instructional video for making a basket? If not, let me know and I can send you the link.--Jennifer

[@StephanieWillis-q6c]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ Thank you! I love your videos! You're a great teacher. So easy to follow your instructions and understand the processes.

[@jishapc]

Thank you for such detailed tutorial. I am a beginner and all I did so far is collect the needles and wash. :) Do you have any tutorial on how to treat with vegetable glycerine after the basket is made with untreated pine needles.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

It is always best to treat the needles before making the basket, but I have done it the other way around once and it worked out pretty well. The basket just wasn't as tight. Anyway, mix the glycerin and water solution as mentioned in the video and set the basket in it. Add more glycerin and water so most of the basket is covered. Bake at 200-250 for an hour and then flip it over. Bake for another hour and flip it over. After the third hour, turn off the oven and let the basket sit in the solution until it cools and then rinse well. You'll notice that the thread changes color. Whatever color thread you use will become darker and more brown. Hope it goes well! --Jennifer

[@evyugalde-feillon7047]

Bonjour ! Merci pour toutes ces explications !

[@laurencebettens698]

Thank you, is it 200-250 degrees celsius or fahrenheit?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Great question! It's Fahrenheit. Sorry I didn't clarify that!

[@laurencebettens698]

Thank you 😅

[@AndreMarascaEngenheiro]

Thank you, I was going to put 250C 😅

[@chimama55]

Thanks for great Advice

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobbyesamdahl]

very nice thank you

[@dianeodell8615]

You talk about just treating the needles before you make the basket. What if you just dip the basket after its made? Would that work?

[@alphagale]

Thanks for this video!

[@ParttimePilgrim]

Thank you! By the way, i think because the glycerin’s viscosity is so concentrated, you could prolly use a lot less, and then rinsing would be way easier? I think i will dilute glycerin in water, mixing well, and then put the needles in?? Thank you again for info!!!😊

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yes, that's what I say to do in the video. You pour a cup or so of glycerin over the needles and then fill the rest with water... just barely covering the needles. Gently swish around to mix the glycerin and water.

[@ParttimePilgrim]

I was wondering why you left caps on for glycerin treatment? And i love the way you weave with pokey ends in first💥☀️👏

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@ParttimePilgrim There's no reason to keep the caps on before treating them. You can do it either way.

[@lockeshop]

Thank youuuu! I love this

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Let me know what you think when you try it.

[@joysmith1213]

Can’t remember if you said add water to the leftover solution when you use it for another batch?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yes, I always add more water and glycerin to the leftover solution.

[@pennyfenner1354]

Hi, great video, thank you! Are you talking Fahrenheit or Celsius with oven temp? I'm in Australia.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Sorry abut that! I was referring to Fahrenheit. For Celsius it would be 93-121. Thanks for watching! --Jennifer

[@bluewater454]

Awsome. Where do you get your pine needles?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

In Arizona, I get them in my own yard. The trees closest to my garden have the longest needles. When I lived in Florida, there was a park about 30 minutes from my house that had pine trees with really long needles. If you don't have any near you, you can look on Etsy. Some people sell them, but they're pretty expensive. --Jennifer

[@AnnickOhl]

Thank you so much for your two videos. They are very detailed. Just two questions: when you talk about the oven temperature, are you talking about farenheit degrees? Do you put a lid on your casserole while baking the pine needles? Thank you for your answers to my questions. Annick from France

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Hi Annick! It's 250 degrees F, so I think it would be around 120 celsius. And, no, you do not need to cover the baking pan. Let me know if you have other questions! :) Jennifer

[@AnnickOhl]

Thanks you for your very quick answer.

[@ReenieShaw]

How do I store glycerin treated pine needles? Do I store them in an airtight container or? Thanks and I love your videos! I’m also totally hooked on making pine needle baskets.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Once they are treated with glycerin and completely dry, you can store them however you want. Well, that depends on your climate. When I lived in AZ, I put them in a ziplock bag that I didn't close up. Here in Florida where it's humid, I keep them in a paper "gift bag" if I recently treated them. If they have dried for a few weeks, I put them in a plastic box and close the lid. What's your climate like?

[@timshel011]

Thanks for sharing! Glad I saw this video before starting my first PN Basket. Wondering what color thread is right. Yours looks black. Also, the Amazon price seems high plus shipping . Do you know the thickness of the waxed polyester? Maybe Walmart? Thanks

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I have used all different colors. If you want to draw attention to the pine needles, use earth tones... tan, light yellow, subtle orange, etc. If you want to draw attention to the pattern of the stitches, use black or white. I've used green, but I didn't like how it looked. The price of the thread on Amazon (link I provided) is quite reasonable and you'll be able to make quite a few baskets. I have never bought waxed polyester thread anywhere else. The thread I listed with my other video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaOrpmqdoaeKfbc) that is the 8-pack is 1mm. Not sure about the other thread I listed, but I think it's the same or close. Hope this helps! If you haven't already, be sure to check out my other instructional video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaOrpmqdoaeKfbc

[@timshel011]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ Thanks for answering my question. Have a great day.

[@theresacarter5990]

I dye my needles, will this process work with dyed needles?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I've never dyed needles before, so I'm not sure. However, if I were to try it, I would probably dye the needles first and then bake them in the glycerin solution. You'll notice the glycerin taking on the color, but it tends to deepen the color of undyed needles, so maybe it would deepen the color of the dye. Let me know how it goes! --Jennifer

[@theswinneyfam]

@my flagstaff homestead. After treatment with glycerin do you still have to seal with. Shalac or beeswax?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I never seal my baskets with shalac or beewax and because I always treat the needles with glycerin, it leaves a slight sheen on the needles, which I like. So, in my opinion and the way I like my baskets to look, no, you don't need to finish your baskets with anything. --Jennifer

[@TinyyVazquez]

Just finished the whole process! I was wondering, how necessary is it to wait for them to dry?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

You don't have to wait for them to dry at all. I usually dry some of them and start working with the one fresh from the oven (after rinsing).

[@TinyyVazquez]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ Awesome!! I was itching to get started! 😂😄

[@konagirlguppies1374]

How long can you store the left over glycerin solution in the refrigerator before it goes bad please?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I have kept mine refrigerated for up to three weeks with no problem, but I've never tried longer than that.

[@juliannevaughn9117]

Since it's recommended to soak the needles before glycerin process, can I assume that you could go directly from the cleaning process to the glycerin process while the needles are still damp?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Absolutely! Just clean and rinse and let them soak a bit and then cover with glycerin solution and put into the oven. :) --Jennifer

[@thomashall2411]

Would the glycerin and water solution be helpful for old pine needle baskets.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Well, I've only done it once and only on a basket that was a year old, so... I'm not sure.

[@antigonesperos]

Wondering if the pine needles still deepen in color as they age if you use glycerin? You do beautiful work!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I have not noticed them getting darker over time, but I have only been using this method for six months so it's hard to tell.

[@antigonesperos]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ thanks, that's what I was afraid of. I only have access to yellow pine, it can take years for it to turn a beautiful deep color, so I guess no glycerin for me😥

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@antigonesperos Well... maybe. The pine needles we have are a light tan, but when I bake them, the glycerin turns really dark brown. Then future batches of needles (when I add the leftover glycerin) get even darker. You might want to try one batch and see what happens. Even though the needles you have are light, the baking process with glycerin may pull a deeper color out of them. Plus, the texture of the needles is great and allows you to make really tight stitches that stay tight.

[@goretisantos33]

Gostaria muito de aprender, será que tem como vc explicar com legenda em portugues, seus trabalhos com pinha sao lindos. gratidao se puder me responder.🙏🌺

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Estou usando um tradutor online agora. Se eu usar legendas no KZbin, você será capaz de mudar o idioma para português?

[@goretisantos33]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ gratidao por sua atençao em me responder, amo seus trabalhos com pinhas e perto da minha casa tem muitas pinhas. mas infelizmente eu já tentei colocar a legenda em portugues pelo yutube e nao foi possível. eles informam que depende do video, tbem nao entendi. grande abraço, muita luz. 🙏🌷

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@goretisantos33 Descobri como mudar o idioma e adicionei português.Tente assistir novamente para ver se ele mostra legendas em seu idioma.Bênçãos para você!

[@goretisantos33]

Deu certo minha querida, legenda em portugues, nao tenho palavras pra te agradecer. muitas bençãos pra vc. pessoas especiais como vc sao raras. gratidao fina dama. 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤🌾🍁

[@kristermartinez4989]

Thank you for posting this, I had finished my pine basket before watching this, is their anyway I can give the finished basket a Glycerin treatment still?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yes, I've done it with two baskets. It will just change the color of the thread a bit. Even though glycerin is clear, the color from the pine needles will make the solution brown. I liked the color change. It won't help tighten your basket much (which it will do if you make your basket with treated needles), but I think it's worth doing. Just put the basket in the glycerin/water solution and about halfway through, flip it. Let me know how it goes.

[@1999point]

Are you abke to dry the needles in the oven. I live in a very humid state and it rains a lot right now. i have no place to store them in my house.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

All I can suggest is that you try it. I live in Arizona, so I have the opposite problem. If I were going to try drying them in the oven, I would set it at 200 or lower and then maybe after 10 minutes just turn off the oven, but keep the door closed and see what happens. When you store them, be sure to put them in a paper bag or box (not plastic), so any moisture is absorbed. I would also recommend doing smaller batches. Let me know how it goes! --Jennifer

[@1999point]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ thank you for the advice! I will definitely let you know how it goes!

[@konagirlguppies1374]

Hi. Love your videos. Most helpful ones I have found. Question please - I want to try the glycerin treatment on some needles. My husband is afraid I will be putting toxic chemicals in our oven. Is there any truth to that? Do you use your oven to cook food after that with no worries? Thank-you.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Good question, but there is no need to worry at all. Vegetable glycerin is made of plant oils. Typically, it is used in cosmetics but is also used in food for sweetening and moistening purposes. The kind I get says on the label that it is "food grade." All this to say, it will not put toxic chemicals in your oven and will not leave toxic residue on your baskets. :)

[@wildheartfree420]

How long does it take to make one of these small baskets you are showing in your video?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

It takes longer when you're a beginner, so I don't remember how long it used to take me. If I make a basket that is 4 inches across with 1-inch sides, it takes about 3 hours.

[@joancook8454]

water temp for soaking needles and what is the ratio of glycerin to water? another GREAT VIDEO !

[@busybeingjen]

You soak them in warm water just as you would if you were not using glycerin. This will soften them so they will absorb the glycerin better during the baking process. Dump out that water and pour the two cups of glycerin over the top and add water until they are almost completely covered. Mix it around so the glycerin is fully mixed into the water. I'm not sure what the ratio would be. I never measure it.

[@joancook8454]

I forgot to thank you for your answer. Once again, Thank you and all the artisans who take the time to teach us and sharing your talents.

[@lynnvancouvering4563]

Hi Jennifer, thanks for making this informative video! I've been making pine-needle baskets for about 20 years, but never tried treating the needles with glycerin. I use a lot of green-dried needles. Have you ever tried glycerin-treating needles that were dried while still green, out of the sun to keep them light? If so, how did they turn out in terms of color and texture? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Hi Lynn! I have done this by accident. When I collect brown needles, inevitably there are some I pick up that dried green. I actually like the look of a basket with an occasional green needle in it. Treating with glycerin deepens the color a bit and adds a very slight sheen. Because the needles absorb the glycerin, they stay flexible. And you know how the basket's stitches loosen up a little after the needles dry? That doesn't happen, so the basket stays really firm and tight. So I'm curious about your baskets... you take fresh needles and then dry them in the sun? I need to try that! Let me know if you have other questions! --Jennifer

[@lynnvancouvering4563]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ Hi Jennifer, I can't wait to try it. I'm doing a lot of work with needles rescued from fallen trees. When we get snow in the winter, invariably we lose a tree or two, so I harvest them green and dry them indoors, away from the sun, so they keep a green color, albeit a light green. I usually have branch tips and loose needles drying all over my house, hanging behind the wood stove, up on the top of cabinets, top shelves, anywhere it's dry! Not that I need more--I have boxes of them already, but I can't stand to see them go to waste. I do work with regular sun-dried needles too, but I think maybe there is more shrinkage with green-dried needles. I don't think I can attach a picture here, and don't want to plug my own business on your KZbin channel, but there are a few pics of green-dried needles and baskets on my Instagram @moonbug_studio, just to give you an idea.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@lynnvancouvering4563 Oh, wow, your work is beautiful (just checked out your Instagram. Such a variety of techniques. You can always contact me through my email ([e-mail]), if you want. I could send you some photos of more of my baskets if you'd like to see them. Thank you for the tip about drying inside. After reading your message yesterday, I gathered up some green needles. The squirrels around here like to hack off the ends of branches, so we end up with tufts of needles in the yard. Small branches drop after it snows, but rarely do I find a fallen tree in or around my yard. Your house sounds like mine. Piles of pine needles in various places. In the fall, my garage was filled with large bags of them. I have sorted through them all now (throwing out short or broken ones) and I have newspaper laying on the garage floor where I dry the ones I've treated with glycerin. Thanks for inspiring me to try something new! --Jennifer

[@user-ey4tw3xd6r]

Thx for your video. Very helpful. Can you dye the needles at the same time?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I'm glad it was helpful, but I'm not sure about dying at the same time. I've never dyed pine needles. I would imagine that it might work. Maybe you could try it with a small batch.

[@user-ey4tw3xd6r]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ thx for your quick reply. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@user-ey4tw3xd6r]

Ps - I live in a little community called Calabogie in Ontario Canada. I don't have access to pine needles long like yours. I'm jealous. I can only get red pine needles where the longest I can get are abt 6.5 inches at best. But you gotta work with what you've got. I just started making pine needle baskets. I did only four baskets so far. The last two look a lot better than my first one. 😉

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@user-ey4tw3xd6r Five inches is really the minimum, so yours sound like a do-able length. It is true, though, that the longer pine needles make it easier. That's awesome that you've made 4 so far. Each one will get better and better. I saved my very first one. Poor little thing is not the greatest, but I was so proud of it. Keep up the great work! --Jennifer

[@kerenblake7252]

Do you need to re-soak glycerined pine needles before using them?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Only the ones in the very center where the coil is tight. Beyond that, they are flexible enough to use without soaking.

[@timothymitchell8310]

Thank you for this awesome video! I have some extra honey. Do to it’s antibacterial properties could this be used in this place of glycerin?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

It's not about the antibacterial properties. It's about how the pine needles absorb glycerin, making them soft and flexible. I'm not sure if honey would do that, but I'm guessing it would also be a lot more expensive.

[@timothymitchell8310]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ you are correct. This will be my first pine needle basket and I was hoping to use what I had on hand before going out and buying everything that’s needed. I enjoy your videos and am looking forward to more!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@timothymitchell8310 You know, I would actually recommend that, for your first basket, use untreated needles. It good to get a feel for how they are naturally and then try glycerin to see the difference. Did you see my other tutorial video? If not, let me know and I'll send you the link. I like using treated needles better, but I made a bunch of natural ones before I made the switch. Then you don't have to pay for glycerin while you're figuring out if you like the process of making baskets.

[@timothymitchell8310]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ thank you ! great idea and good advice to get a feel of the needles ad the process.

[@dalephillips8775]

Can you glycerin green pine needles?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Before using your green pine needles, they need to be dry. Otherwise, you’ll make your basket and then the needles will shrink. If you dry them away from sunlight and always keep them out of sunlight, they will stay green. That said, yes, you can treat dried, green pine needles with glycerin. It will keep the needles pliable for longer and give the needles a nice, subtle sheen. Hope this helps! --Jennifer

[@jillwalker3907]

Can I preserve the whole pine needle pod and keep them green to put in a shadow box or arrangement?

[@teresaP749]

If I am going to dye the needles, do I need to dye them before using the glycerin?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I have never dyed needles before, so I'm not sure. I'm thinking you might be able to dye them at the same time. That's what I would try,, but if I were going to do one before the other, I would dye them first and then treat with glycerin.

[@teresaP749]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ I think I will dye them and use the glycerin at the same time. Thank you 😊

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

@@teresaP749 Let me know how it goes, Teresa. I'd like to try dying needles sometime.

[@michaels5705]

I don't understand why you don't mix the water and glycerin well in a container then pour it over the needles then bake. I also don't understand why you don't use enough glycerin-water mix to completely cover the needles; then weigh them down with a smaller glass dish or the like, so they stay under. It would seem that way you can just bake them for three hours without the flipping hassle. Since I've never done this and you have, I'm sure there are reasons, I'd love to have that explained. With the stored water-glycerin solution, how do you know how much glycerin is still in the mix? Thanks for the video.

[@busybeingjen]

This is just the way I was taught to do it. It's really not an exact science, so you can do it however you want. The general idea is two cups of glycerin and enough water to mostly cover and then 3 hours in the oven. But sometimes I keep them in the oven for five hours to get a darker color. Just play with it.

[@critterjon4061]

Can you just boil the glycerin water mixture instead of baking

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

It's not really about how the glycerin is heated. The idea is to keep the needles in the hot liquid for hours in order to absorb as much of the glycerin solution as possible. I suppose you could put them in a really big pot and boil the water for a total of three hours, but it seems like baking them would be a lot easier.

[@AndreMarascaEngenheiro]

250C Or 250F?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Sorry about that! It's 250F.

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

So, about 120C.

[@AndreMarascaEngenheiro]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ Thank you so much!! I appreciate it 🙌

[@erikatolnai1127]

Can you send Hungarien language? Thank you!

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Most tettem fel magyar feliratot három fenyőtűkosarakról szóló videóhoz. Köszönöm, hogy nézted a csatornámat!

[@erikatolnai1127]

Köszönöm!

[@o.amoakohene8147]

So you bake the pine needles?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

Yes, for three hours.

[@fantasie680]

Hello, thank you for the great Video. :) When I have finished the glycerine treatment... Can I use the needles for braiding immediately after I have rinsed them? Or do I have to dry them first and then soak them in hot water again before using them?

[@MyflagstaffhomeAZ]

I usually let them dry just a bit before using them. If you're using a light-colored thread, the color in the needles will bleed through into the thread. If you don't car about that AND you don't live in a terribly humid climate (which could lead to mold), you can use them soon after rinsing them.

[@fantasie680]

@@MyflagstaffhomeAZ Thanks for the quick answer. I think I have understood what you mean. I have now let the needles dry a little and then use them slightly damp for braiding, as I learned from another video. I'm really looking forward to the result. I have baskets lying here that I made a few months ago and unfortunately, the colors have already turned quite pale. Greetings from Germany. :)

[@busybeingjen]

@@fantasie680 Once you treat the pine needles with glycerin you won't need to dampen them once they have dried. They will stay flexible. The only time I every soak them again is when I'm starting a basket and need to make that really tight coil in the center, but beyond that very first turn in the coil, you won't need your pine needles to be damp because the glycerin will keep them flexible even after they dry. Hope that helps! --Jennifer

[@fantasie680]

@@busybeingjen Good to know! Thank you very much. That helps me a lot. :)