I recently took up basketry as a hobby. Each basket has been a bit better, as one would expect, but this one -- my fourth -- is the first one I'm truly happy with. It's the first one that I've stained and sealed with a wood oil and I think it really completes what otherwise looks like a half-finished product.
For those who want to give it a go (it's really not as hard as it looks) I would suggest first taking a look at LindyBeige's YouTube video of him giving it a go for the first time[1]. And then forget about doing anything with willow; I tried it and it's too much work to soak the weavers in the bath for a week and then be rewarded with blisters. Instead, I weave with rattan. The best tutorial I've found have been from the Textile Indie YouTube channel[2]. And that's about it really. There's no special equipment needed: I use wire cutters but any scissors should do, pliers help but aren't necessary, likewise for a tap measure. You will, however, need a towel; but I'm assuming that any man to be reckoned with always knows where his towel is simply given its great practical value.
It sort of tickles the same part of my brain that baking bread does. Starting with a simple set of ingredients and applying then in a particular way that can be learnt with just a little practice that results in a tangible result. As much as I love computers and software, I do crave a little tangibility in my work sometimes.
Last Updated: 2022-05-29
