Elizabeth Turner
handmade baskets
The Process
A basic overview of what's involved in my basket making
order Bundles of willow
sort & label willow
the willow is soaked in water, sometimes in plastic bags
or in an open container filled with water. The willow is soaked a foot a day - so 3ft willow is soaked for three days
The willow is then mellowed overnight - I wrap mine in an old curtain to stop it drying out.
To make a basic round base I cut the willow sticks slightly larger than the diameter I want the base to be.
I then split the willow down the middle of three of the base sticks and push the other three through.
You then take two very thin willow rods and wrap them around the base sticks
You then start weaving in and out of the base sticks. Gently easing them outwards so they are evenly spaced.
When you have got the desired diameter then you trim the end of the base sticks.
You then push uprights into the base, next to each of the base sticks and pinch upwards to create the side frame.
You then choose three rods of willow and weave a 'three rod wale' twice - this is to secure the uprights. - traditionally the wale is at the bottom and top of the sides.
this 'rand' (the weave used on the sides of a basket) is a Three rod wale.
this is a single French rand
this is a double French rand
This basket has an English Rand (side weave) - the ends of the willow create a pattern around the outside of the basket.
A stepped border
a wooden handle on a stepped border
woven basket handle
woven basket handle - detail
woven basket handle - detail
Handle gaps
Catalan style basket....
Cut and dry willow frames - a week ahead
weave willow in and out of the base sticks and frame
add the additional uprights and then pinch upwards to create the frame for the sides.
weave the 'wale' and 'rand' to create the sides then fold the uprights down to weave the border.