Help with making baskets

[woodwalker]

Hi guys,

Was inspired by Wednesday's edition of Ray Mear's Wild Food (episode 5) and amongst other things I decided that its time to learn how to do some basketry. I went into the woods today and collected a large amount of raffia-like dead grass that was growing in huge quantities (an entire football pitch sized clearing full of heather and dead grass). Unfortunately though I am unsure where to start, although I think I am supposed to be making a basket using a coiling method. Has anyone any links or similar on how to make such a basket?

Help is very much appreciated .
cheers,
woodwalker

 

[Limaed]

Hi Woodwalker
Their's an intresting wee section in RM's Outdoor Survival Handbook which gives what looks like some good starter points. One skill I would like to try also! In Fife the Forestry Commission run weekend courses for intrested people might be worth checking their website for your area? Best wishes Ed

 

[Ed]

There is a small section of Tips and Tutorials on basketmakers.org that can be found here
http://basketmakers.org/topics/tips/tipsmenu.htm
I'll have a look through my notes as I'm sure I have some others marked somewhere.


Ed

 

[Anhurset]

Here's a couple I found on Google, http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/desert2.html , http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/projects/desert2.html , I'm sure there's a few more out there but you're really just going to get the same instructions over and over again.

Bryan

 

[Toddy]

There are some excellent instructions for pine needle baskets made using the same primciple here

http://www.nativetech.org/basketry/coilinstr.html

The beginning of the section on coiled baskets is here

http://www.nativetech.org/basketry/coilindex.html

cheers,
Toddy

 

[woodwalker]

cheers team, great links :You_Rock_

Looks like I have my work cut out for the next few weeks then to actually try and turn the lovely internet diagrams into something useful.

woodwalker

 

[Ed]

And don't forget to post your pics when you have finished


Ed

 

[woodwalker]

sure will - I will start making one this w/end

woodwalker