Hello. Today was a different kind of day for me. Glynis was not well, so I took her place at a basket making day in Rugby, a town north of where I live. And what fun we had! Four of us beetled off up the motorway together - Peter, Glynis's husband, Annette and Sue B and me. Sue is not the Sue who was and still is, in hospital. Our teacher was Hungarian, and she had the patience of a saint. We started off sitting neatly at our places as we started the base......
And then, we learnt how to weave the willow and other red stuff. I cannot for the life of me remember what it is - DOGWOOD!! Yes. That is what the red stuff is.
And see? The base is done! I am a genius. We were all so thrilled we had done something right....
And then we had to spread out around the hall because threading in 24 long sticks of willow which had to be kept wet at all times proved a little difficult to manoeuvre. And was ended up with out huge Catherine Wheels of willow.
We worked together to tie them all up into the frame for out baskets, and that was not as simple as it sound.
And then, (there are lots of "ands today" we wove the first 4 rows in a strong weave, and then the rest of the basket took shape. The edging was easy to do, but the last 6 "stitches" were rather complicated, but our teacher's husband had come up with an ingenious method to teach us using coloured sticks. It worked brilliantly.
The long sticks were woven and cut, and then all I had to do was the handle.....
And VOILA!!!!!! I MADE A BASKET WITH MY OWN HANDS!!!!!!!!
So we posed for group photos......
And more sensible ones too.
And my hands are still darkened by the willow stains, but I have my own basket on the kitchen table. So what if it is ever so slightly wonky. Who cares. I MADE IT. And I would absolutely love to go and learn how to do it all over again. But we are all exhausted. So I need to sleep. The garden has been fleeced because temps will drop to 2C tonight. The heating will have to go on too.
I am now off to grin at my basket once again.
It looks wonderful! How amazing to have one sitting in your kitchen that is your. very. own. work! Way to go, LInds! And lovely job of documenting the process too :) Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Glynis isn't well, but glad you got the chance to explore a new craft. What fun it looks! And I'm very impressed that you managed a whole basket.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed! Now I want to go learn how to make baskets...
ReplyDeleteOhhh and they all turned out so beautifully, too. My sister does chair caning so I always wanted to try that. Now, instead, I'd rather make a basket. No, actually, what I really want to make is an edger for my garden. Dogwood you say? Hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteWhat fun Linds! You all did an incredible job. It looks and sounds like so much fun. Your basket is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI. am. impressed!!
ReplyDeleteWow. Who in the life would think you would be off and make a basket on a Saturday :) So proud.
You will have to teach me whem I come to visit.
You clever thing you!! It sounds like great fun!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming basket! What are you going to put in it?
ReplyDeleteWow cool!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! I love baskets, and don't have enough room for all of them, but would still love to learn how to make them. Way to go, Linds!
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