Braiding Workshop Saturday, August 3, 2024 7 AM - 9:30 AM @ Shelby Park Community Garden

Ahh … the workshop came and went. It’s now Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Saturday gathering at Shelby Park Community Garden, Louisville, KY was great! A misting rain wetted us, gently, and moistened the garlic just right. Sarah, Michael and Nico created lovely masterpieces with some of their own harvest and with plants I provided them.

Taylor came to my front porch garlic workshop for a braiding lesson on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 7 AM when the garlic was still pliable. It was another delightful time for me as I shared my practice and stories of how I arrived at this point so that I can pass on what I learned from my mentor Anne Bishop in 1984 and have refined through more than 13 years of growing and braiding garlic.

Next we must showcase the creations—lovely masterpieces: Garlic Braids

Taylor’s 7 bulb Inchellium Red braid with winter savory. I was pleased to again teach the workshop on this “day after.” I corrected some tasks I had them do out of order the first day, and that made it easier for the new braider to follow. One-on-one doesn’t split my attention like 3 learners to one demonstrator does.

Workshop Details

What: Learn to create Garlic Braids
When: Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 7 AM to 9:30 AM
Where: At the picnic tables near the shed at Shelby Park Community Garden
- 545 E St. Catherine Street, Louisville, KY 40203
Who: Anyone (limited to the first 5 who respond) who has garlic plants with leaves attached that you would like to learn to braid as a kitchen décor from which you will clip the bulbs to use in your culinary delights. You may purchase plants to braid at half price ($2 per plant) as long as supply lasts.
Presenter: DebLynn Carnefix-Needler, garlic grower and braider for more than 13 years.
Cost: Workshop $15 After you complete contact form below, you will be notified if space remains. At that point you order any plants you need and send payment by Venmo.
If you request them, 4-7 plants $2 each, grown with organic practices, so no guarantee until you clean them if they will work in a braid.

twine, scissors, snipper tool, rough cloth for brushing off dirt and loose leaves, spray bottle with water to mist the leaves

Braiding board must be large enough to hold the braid as you plait it and slick enough so the braid easily moves across it so the braider can keep it in the ideal orientation to braid main stem, holder, and tie

Workshop Handout

with braiding instructions and closeup pics of each step of the process

will be available for $35.

brush with rough cloth to remove dirt and loose papers

Check how the next Large bulb will nestle into the first row.

At Shelby Park Community Garden, we gathered, were misted by the rain, carried on our braiding, had great fellowship through this learning endeavor, and were yielded these lovely masterpieces.

Taylor with her 7 bulb Inchellium Red braid with a sprig of winter savory

Michael’s 6 bulb short pigtailed combination braid: bulbs from his harvest and some from mine.

Nico’s combination braid from her harvest and some from mine with side pigtails. These braiders inspired me to keep the pig tails more visible on the rest of my harvest braids this braiding season.

Each braid has its own character and joy — reflecting its braider.

Helpful things to bring with you:

empty bucket (for discards as you clean the bulbs) — a large paper bag will do
clean cloth—old washcloth is ideal, especially if it’s a bit rough (for loosening papers from the bulbs)
tools: small scissors and a clipping or snipping tool (see photo below)
spray bottle of water
braiding board: 1” foam board (13” x 28” or close to that) enclosed in a slick pillow case, secured, OR a large artist’s palette (see photos below). If you don’t have these, a large, stiff piece of cardboard (with no painted markings on it) will do—that’s what I used for many years. Request a board if you need one, Jim has some foam board he no longer needs that we’ll cut into braiding size.
a large (30x30”) lightweight dish cloth or other cloth
twine (I’ll have some, but you may bring your own if you want to)