my baskets

[John Fenna]

I like to make things…
One thing I find fun to do –even if I am not that good (yet) is to make “hedgerow” baskets.
These are baskets woven from wild growing materials and in the first photo are some I have done already.
Left to right they are – willow on willow, bramble runners on bramble runner and bramble on willow framing.
Then there are various shots – my willow soaking in my canoe (the only watertight container I have that is big enough!), willow hoops drying into shape for “mellon” baskets and the harvesting of brambles for making more baskets.
I sometimes use natural (home made willow-bark or nettle) cordage to start a weave as I want extra bendability there….

 

[redneck]

They are brilliant. I've just completed my first basket making course and I really enjoyed it..those ones of yours look much more authentic and I much prefer those over mine..

Would love to see you do a tutorial on those you've made.

 

[John Fenna]

They are brilliant. I've just completed my first basket making course and I really enjoyed it..those ones of yours look much more authentic and I much prefer those over mine..

Would love to see you do a tutorial on those you've made.

That is much neater than any of mine!
I will be working on a new basket soon - I have been harvesting brambles for weavers today and they do not take long to prep...the willow is already soaking
I am no expert - but I enjoy it so I will post my progress

 

[v-ness]

Nice work John

What do you do to the brambles to make them into usable material? Do they need dried, soaked, processed, de-thorned?

Cheers
Ness

 

[John Fenna]

Nice work John

What do you do to the brambles to make them into usable material? Do they need dried, soaked, processed, de-thorned?

Cheers
Ness

All I have done in the past is dethorn them, leave them to dry for a couple of days then damp them off overnight before using them.

 

[decorum]

I like (what I pressume are the two) melon baskets ~ very cool .

 

[John Fenna]

I was using 2 of the baskets at the Moot - to organise my basecamp gear...
The one on the left is made from willow from my garden - a tree I planted myself
Very satisfying that is
The Melon baskets are based on one in Mors' book the middle one is based on a builders bucket - but is bigger!

 

[bb07]

Those look great John, a very good skill I'd like to learn myself. Excellent thinking on using your canoe!!!

 

[decorum]

The Melon baskets are based on one in Mors' book the middle one is based on a builders bucket - but is bigger!

I'll have to dig my copy out ~ and then extract my revenge on the various brambles patches which have acted a chigger jump off points during the harvest months

 

[luckylee]

they look fantastic bud, would love to have a go at one of these one of the days.

 

[redneck]

Yours are much more rustic and far more attractive on the eye and they really appeal to me, really looking forward to seeing your progress on the new baskets, I really want to make some just like the ones in your first pic!

 

[gowersponger]

very nice job there john fairplay , a lovely foraging basket, or practical with fircones in next to the open fire

 

[craig]

How do you de-thorn brambles? As I can get a unlimited supply from hedge rows around here. Do you think Scouts(10.5 to 14) could do this?

Craig.

 

[John Fenna]

To dethorn brambles just wear stong gloves and use a bit of canvas... pull the bramble through the canvas and the thorns are ripped off as they bite into the canvas.
I just did about 20 x 6' to 12' lengths with not blood spilled......
Scouts? - easy job! (if they are as tough as my Scouts were..... I was a Leader for 15 years and none of the Scouts died....)

 

[craig]

Thanks John. I going to get them to there craft badge after Christmas and I think this will be a great project.

 

[listenclear]

Stunning work mate - very impressed

 

[Thenihilist]

Awesome i'm going to make one on saturday.

 

[chas brookes]

Nice baskets John
another way to remove thorns is to use a small ring spanner
Use one slightly larger diameter than the brambles, pull them through it a couple of times and the thorns come off