Reed baskets

[micah]

Does anyone know anything about making baskets with the common reed (or indeed anything else you can do with it)? I've heard you can make baskets, mats, cordage and all sorts of food out of it but I don't know what the process is. I'm surrounded by reeds and there must be something I can do with them....

Micah

 

[Toddy]

If by reeds you mean the river or loch growing rush, then look up soft rush basketry. It's lovely stuff to work with.
http://www.lowimpact.org/one_day_course_rush_weaving.htm
If you mean the little field rush then it's best gathered, dried, turned into rope and used with straw to make kishie baskets (a kind of Traditional Scottish backpack for carrying peat, potatoes or fish)
http://www.fetlar.com/agric_detail10.htm

cheers,
Toddy

 

[micah]

Hi Toddy,
Thanks for the reply. I'm don't think I'm talking about rushes. The plant that abounds around the lakes near me is phragmites australis.

Micah

 

[Toddy]

That one gets used for thatching; it doesn't bend so well being almost like cane. Probably the leaves could be used for cordage though.
Cane gets used a lot elsewhere for baskets so I don't see why not try the reed, I haven't but surely someone has, different techniques though.

cheers,
Toddy