Willow basket weaving

[Robson Valley]

I can't say that I've ever seen much willow work here. Contemporary crafting but not much traditional use.
I've seen willow shoot growth that looks like it would be of weaving quality but never tried anything at all.

The First Nations of the Pacific Northwest do most vegetable fiber weaving with either spruce roots
or finely divided strips of western red cedar bark.
The basket work is beautiful. The capes and hats are so distinctive and waterproof, too.

 

[SaraR]

I can't say that I've ever seen much willow work here. Contemporary crafting but not much traditional use.
I've seen willow shoot growth that looks like it would be of weaving quality but never tried anything at all.

The First Nations of the Pacific Northwest do most vegetable fiber weaving with either spruce roots
or finely divided strips of western red cedar bark.
The basket work is beautiful. The capes and hats are so distinctive and waterproof, too.

Yeah I was amazed at the stuff made with red cedar bark strips that I saw in BC. It's so interesting to see how different cultures make similar things using different materials.

 

[Robson Valley]

I don't know what you do to the willow in preparation for weaving.
My brother made a big willow fruit basket, all the buds sprouted into a shrubby thing in his kitchen!

Western Red Cedar bark is really easy to get all you could possibly want. Close as the nearest cedar mill.
However, the First Nations do not want to tell you anything about the bark preparation.
The weaving technique is an open process for one and all to learn. Not unexpected.
The same sort of a gap exists in pole carving = a lot they will never show the public.

 

[SaraR]

You d

I don't know what you do to the willow in preparation for weaving.
My brother made a big willow fruit basket, all the buds sprouted into a shrubby thing in his kitchen!

Western Red Cedar bark is really easy to get all you could possibly want. Close as the nearest cedar mill.
However, the First Nations do not want to tell you anything about the bark preparation.
The weaving technique is an open process for one and all to learn. Not unexpected.
The same sort of a gap exists in pole carving = a lot they will never show the public.

You cut the willow in winter, then dry it to store. (More processing happens first if you want to remove the bark.) Then you soak it before use.

 

[Robson Valley]

My oldest grape vines are due for a brutal pruning. Maybe a stock source for a basket this winter?

 

[SaraR]

My oldest grape vines are due for a brutal pruning. Maybe a stock source for a basket this winter?

A lot of people seem to make them so well worth a try!

 

[Janne]

save some of the knurliest pieces. Cleaned and polished ( oiled or lacquered) they make awesome handles for kitchen and serving utensils.
(not my idea. Seen and bought things like that in France, in Alsace)

 

[Robson Valley]

I see that SaraR's willow appears to be 5 mm or less in diameter.
I can get a lot of that in pruning grapes vines.

No plans to cultivate and plant any new varieties so no big stuff.
I agree: Grape vine root or main stem wood is about as pretty as briar.

 

[Wayne]

Thanks for posting lovely work. Great location as well. most of us will know Ogmore from the Bushmoot.

Im looking forward to seeing more of your basketry.

 

[SaraR]

Thanks for posting lovely work. Great location as well. most of us will know Ogmore from the Bushmoot.

Im looking forward to seeing more of your basketry.

Thanks! I am doing one more course learning a new technique this year and then I'm on my own.

I'm still very chuffed with the willow backpack I made at the Bushmoot a few years ago, even if it's a wonky one.

 

[spandit]

This weekend's efforts: a 20" traditional Welsh cyntell basket. I'm very pleased with it! View attachment 53743 View attachment 53742

A lucrative hobby, if you're that way inclined:

Cyntell frame basket

The Cyntell is a traditional Welsh Frame basket with a rim made from wild rose or hazel, ribs from cleft willow and woven in willow. This large frame basket was designed for harvesting root vegetables, its sturdy construction lends itself to many uses from linen to logs. Approximate dimensions...

www.sussexwillow.co.uk

Beautiful work, I've just booked a basic weaving course for next month

 

[SaraR]

A lucrative hobby, if you're that way inclined:

Cyntell frame basket

The Cyntell is a traditional Welsh Frame basket with a rim made from wild rose or hazel, ribs from cleft willow and woven in willow. This large frame basket was designed for harvesting root vegetables, its sturdy construction lends itself to many uses from linen to logs. Approximate dimensions...

www.sussexwillow.co.uk

Beautiful work, I've just booked a basic weaving course for next month

Sadly, like most for handcrafts, you'd be lucky to get anywhere near minimum wage for the time you put in.

I hope you have a great time on your course! You'll have too much to keep in mind for the first one, perhaps, but for your second basket, aim for maintaining the grip and control. If you can do that you're sorted.

 

[TLM]

A variant material, I have a feeling I have seen similar backpack made from willow too.

 

[spandit]

Sadly, like most for handcrafts, you'd be lucky to get anywhere near minimum wage for the time you put in.

That's true enough. His courses are always sold out well in advance, which is a pity as he's local, although he specialises in frame baskets.

It'll be nice to get a grasp on how much material I need per basket so I can get enough soaked in advance without too much wastage. Surprisingly expensive to buy, but if I can get or make a stripping tool, I can make my own white or buff (think buff needs to be boiled first)

 

[Robson Valley]

Take a look at a spoke shave as a bark-stripping tool. The sort with the adjustment screws, not the friction type that you set with a hammer.

I have been using 2 Samona s/s, one set to cut thick and one set to cut thin.

 

[spandit]

Take a look at a spoke shave as a bark-stripping tool. The sort with the adjustment screws, not the friction type that you set with a hammer.

I have been using 2 Samona s/s, one set to cut thick and one set to cut thin.

Good plan

 

[SaraR]

In her book Willow Work, Mary Butcher does specify how much you need for each basket, which is very handy.

Buff willow can be dried out and resoaked later, whereas brown willow can be kept for longer (days) but not reused later. Soaked willow can also be frozen and then used straight away once thawed.

That's true enough. His courses are always sold out well in advance, which is a pity as he's local, although he specialises in frame baskets.

It'll be nice to get a grasp on how much material I need per basket so I can get enough soaked in advance without too much wastage. Surprisingly expensive to buy, but if I can get or make a stripping tool, I can make my own white or buff (think buff needs to be boiled first)

 

[spandit]

That is handy, thanks.

Until I can buy or fashion a stripping brake, I'm limited to brown willow as don't want to buy it in when I can grow it here.

 

[Cobweb]

I have basket envy right now! I'm so impressed with your work here!

 

[spandit]

Went on a little weaving course today at Mantel Farm in East Sussex, run by Julia Gurr. We wove a little breadbasket and a bird feeder. Learnt some new techniques, such as the "Japanese eye" finishing knot and just got a better feel for weaving. Got to use my new bodkin for the first time (and didn't realise you needed grease but how much easier does that make it?!). The bird feeder (not pictured) was like an upside down basket so learnt how to put a handle on, a skill which should transfer to a bigger round basket