Basket Weaving Help?

[caliban]

Hi guys! I'd like to have a go at weaving a wicker (or something like that) quiver. I'm coming up blank for suppliers on google. Anyone know of any, or any cheap alternatives?

 

[badgeringtim]

Supliers or to get your own?

Split young willow might be the way forwards (might be less flixible now than in the spring), if you have reeds around you or rushes they should work to.
If your feeling adventurus im suer a birch bark one would be fantastic - but late in the year and perhapse a bit of an ask!

Im no expert though, there are many more here wo will advice you beter i am sure.
Good luck

 

[littlebiglane]

I think that the best time of year for willow is after the sap drops. This is traditionally when it is harvested so new stocks will come 'online' post this. (Oct/Nov?) Plenty of willow producers that sell bundles and will mail them to you.

 

[caliban]

Thanks guys. Is there anything other than wicker that can be used? Sorry this is an area of total ignorance for me.

 

[littlebiglane]

yes - loads of things that are thin, long and pass the wrist test (ie if it bends around your wrist without breaking). Brambles are good and available. Check out this link:

http://www.bushcraft.ridgeonnet.com/basicbasket.htm

 

[Seoras]

I have made a few sheaths and quivers out of Sweet Chestnut inner bark.

If you can get yourself some Sweet Chestnut that has recently been felled in the spring when the sap is rising the bark peels of very easy.

The quiver has now been extended as it was a bit short.

Other materials are Birch, the inner bark of Western Red Cedar and Reedmace leaves.

In the link below is my photobucket account showing some pictures how to make the sheath/quiver. They were taken when I was on a Woodcraft course and are of a small sheath but the principle works the same for a quiver. The other photos in this album are of making a bone knife primitivley. The link is to page 2 where the weaving starts.

http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc177/seorasgma/Primitive Technology course/Month 5/?start=40

Cheers

George

 

[andywinkk]

yes - loads of things that are thin, long and pass the wrist test (ie if it bends around your wrist without breaking). Brambles are good and available. Check out this link:

http://www.bushcraft.ridgeonnet.com/basicbasket.htm

That bramble link is really cool im gona have a go at that,

thanks for that

 

[Colin.W]

when I was teaching myself (with the aid of a book) basket weaving I used ivy to practice on as through the local woods there is absolutely loads of the stuff. the new growth works better than last years growth which tends to snap. I dont know how durable ivy is