| Next revision | Previous revision |
| bask:basketmaking [2025/12/03 16:45] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | bask:basketmaking [2025/12/16 23:20] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
|---|
| |
| It's creating containers from the weaving of plant fibres. Basketry (the craft of basketmaking) is a tradition in every region of the world where plants grow, and the type of baskets will reflect the naturally-occurring plants in that region. The plant material needs to be long, strong and pliable. Willow fits that bill very well in Europe, and it's one of the main basketry plants in the UK. | It's creating containers from the weaving of plant fibres. Basketry (the craft of basketmaking) is a tradition in every region of the world where plants grow, and the type of baskets will reflect the naturally-occurring plants in that region. The plant material needs to be long, strong and pliable. Willow fits that bill very well in Europe, and it's one of the main basketry plants in the UK. |
| | |
| |
| <WRAP center centeralign> | <WRAP center centeralign> |
| <caption> | <caption> |
| Wicker for both ends of life – baby cradle and coffin. | Wicker for both ends of life – baby cradle and coffin. |
| |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| |
| |
| <caption> | <caption> |
| Video with interesting commentary - making a stake and strand willow basket. | _Video with interesting commentary - making a stake and strand willow basket._ |
| |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| |
| <caption> | <caption> |
| Coiled basket – grass; Plaited basketwork – [phormium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium); Stake & strand willow basket; Looped basket of lime and willow bast; Assembled basket – Sussex trug. Pics: [Native Hands](http://www.nativehands.co.uk/) | _Coiled basket – grass;\\ Plaited basketwork – [phormium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium);\\ Stake & strand willow basket;\\ Looped basket of lime and willow bast;\\ Assembled basket – Sussex trug._\\ Pics: [Native Hands](http://www.nativehands.co.uk/) |
| |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| |
| <caption> | <caption> |
| Gorgeous, meditative video of Owen Jones making an oak swill baset in his workshop in the Lake District. | _Gorgeous, meditative video of Owen Jones making an oak swill basket in his workshop in the Lake District._ |
| |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| **History** | **History** |
| |
| Basketmaking is an extremely ancient craft. There is archaeological evidence of twisted flax fibres, possibly for baskets, from [34,000 years ago](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910142352.htm) in a cave in the Republic of Georgia. The first definite evidence of basketwork is from around 12,000 years ago, but the evidence is scant, as the materials are perishable by rotting or fire. However, there have been finds in very dry or boggy environments that date back to the Mesolithic period. Some of the earliest known [pottery](/topics_pottery.html) fragments have been found with basket marks on them. Some believe that pottery developed from baskets that had been lined with clay and left next to the fire, so that the basket burned away, leaving a hard, clay pot. There's lots of evidence of basketwork since the Iron Age - both for vessels and for [wattle](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/wattle-daub) panels for buildings, and of woven plant fibres generally, be it for baskets, hunting traps, shelter or textiles. | Basketmaking is an extremely ancient craft. There is archaeological evidence of twisted flax fibres, possibly for baskets, from [34,000 years ago](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910142352.htm) in a cave in the Republic of Georgia. The first definite evidence of basketwork is from around 12,000 years ago, but the evidence is scant, as the materials are perishable by rotting or fire. However, there have been finds in very dry or boggy environments that date back to the Mesolithic period. Some of the earliest known [[pott:pottery]] fragments have been found with basket marks on them. Some believe that pottery developed from baskets that had been lined with clay and left next to the fire, so that the basket burned away, leaving a hard, clay pot. There's lots of evidence of basketwork since the Iron Age - both for vessels and for [wattle](/watd/wattle_and_daub) panels for buildings, and of woven plant fibres generally, be it for baskets, hunting traps, shelter or textiles. |
| |
| By the way, we're not the only species to make baskets, and we weren't the first. See the photograph below for the handiwork of the weaver bird. | By the way, we're not the only species to make baskets, and we weren't the first. See the photograph below for the handiwork of the weaver bird. |
| - baskets can be made from foraged hedgerow plants, meaning that they'll not only be natural and involve close contact with nature, but they'll also be free | - baskets can be made from foraged hedgerow plants, meaning that they'll not only be natural and involve close contact with nature, but they'll also be free |
| |
| - other materials can be '[upcycled](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/recycling)' into baskets, including plastic bags, wire, drinks cartons etc. | - other materials can be '[upcycled](/cycl/cycling)' into baskets, including plastic bags, wire, drinks cartons etc. |
| |
| - most people in the West have lost connection with the cycle of production of daily objects. By harvesting and processing natural materials, then making useful objects with them, you can experience the entire production process, with which comes a recognition of what it takes to make things and an appreciation of the value of resources | - most people in the West have lost connection with the cycle of production of daily objects. By harvesting and processing natural materials, then making useful objects with them, you can experience the entire production process, with which comes a recognition of what it takes to make things and an appreciation of the value of resources |
| |
| <caption> | <caption> |
| How to make a simple coiled basket / bowl from raffia, reeds or grasses. | _How to make a simple coiled basket / bowl from raffia, reeds or grasses._ |
| |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| ## What can I do? | ## What can I do? |
| |
| Attend a [course](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/directory/categories/basketmaking-courses) and get hands-on experience. Basketmaking isn't something you can learn easily from a book, although books can give you lots of ideas after you've mastered the basics. You don't need much equipment to get started - just secateurs and a sharp craft knife. Then practice, practice, practice. As with most things, you need to do it a lot to get really good at it, although almost everyone will be able to make a functioning basket at their first attempt. Plenty of companies sell willow and other materials, and when you learn with a basketmaker, they will give you information on sources of materials; or you could just get out there into nature and see what you can find. Just experiment and see what works well. In the UK the three main traditions are willow, rush and split wood basketry. But there are many other suitable plants in the UK - if it's long, strong and flexible it's worth a try. | Attend a course and get hands-on experience. Basketmaking isn't something you can learn easily from a book, although books can give you lots of ideas after you've mastered the basics. You don't need much equipment to get started - just secateurs and a sharp craft knife. Then practice, practice, practice. As with most things, you need to do it a lot to get really good at it, although almost everyone will be able to make a functioning basket at their first attempt. Plenty of companies sell willow and other materials, and when you learn with a basketmaker, they will give you information on sources of materials; or you could just get out there into nature and see what you can find. Just experiment and see what works well. In the UK the three main traditions are willow, rush and split wood basketry. But there are many other suitable plants in the UK - if it's long, strong and flexible it's worth a try. |
| |
| <WRAP center centeralign> | <WRAP center centeralign> |
| |
| <caption> | <caption> |
| Inspirational basketmaking co-operative in France, turning out incredible works of art, as well as a range of different baskets. | _Inspirational basketmaking co-operative in France, turning out incredible works of art, as well as a range of different baskets._ |
| |
| </caption> | </caption> |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> |
| |
| If you're serious about making a living from baskets, it might be an idea to get an apprenticeship with an [established basketmaker](https://basketmakersassociation.org.uk). You can also obtain [City & Guilds](https://basketmakersassociation.org.uk) qualifications in the craft itself, with relevant business skills, and you may be able to get useful advice and information from the [Heritage Crafts Association](http://www.cityandguilds.com/). | If you're serious about making a living from baskets, it might be an idea to get an apprenticeship with an [established basketmaker](https://basketmakersassociation.org.uk). You can also obtain [City & Guilds](http://www.cityandguilds.com/) qualifications in the craft itself, with relevant business skills, and you may be able to get useful advice and information from the Heritage Crafts Association. |
| ## Further resources | |
| |
| | ## Further resources |
| |
| ## Specialist(s) | - [Basketmakers' Association](https://basketmakersassociation.org.uk/) |
| | - [Wicker Woman](https://www.wickerwoman.com/articles) - lots of patterns |
| | - [How to weave a willow basket](https://jonsbushcraft.com/basicbasket.htm) |
| | - [Woven Communities](https://wovencommunities.org/basket-type/) - beautiful site about basketmaking in Scotland |
| |
| * [[p:Ruby Taylor]] | ## Specialist curators of this topic |
| |