How to make a basket: EP05 Basket making materials

In this episode of ‘How to make a basket’, we’ll look at how to prepare your basket making grasses. We’ll examine some of the types of grass that can be used in a coil basket but also look at the ways in which the basket making grasses can be cleaned up in preparation for coiling and binding.
Buy Cræft: An enquiry into the origins and true meaning of traditional crafts (USA) wwnorton.com/books/9780393356571
Buy Cræft: How traditional crafts are about more than just making (UK) www.faber.co.uk/9780571324408...
‘How to make a basket’ is a chance to connect with the world of traditional and heritage crafts but also to see the kinds of things that you can do in your own back shed. The natural world provides a vast range of natural materials that, since primitive times, have been used to make many of the day-to-day objects that we surrounded ourselves with. Many people the world over still use natural materials and craft skills to make stuff and in Britain, up until the early twentieth century, many of these skills still resided amongst the rural community.
If you’ve enjoyed the BBC’s Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm and Wartime Farm, then hopefully you will enjoy my lockdown project: 'How to make a basket'. I am spending so much time in my shed at present, that I thought I might as well film it. So, follow me in this series as I go about showing you how to craft a traditional coil basket. On the way, we’ll look at the different kind of plants that you can use, the skills and techniques, the key tools, and I’ll throw in a few juicy historical facts.

[@annaprez6620]

Always learn a lot from your concise no waffle sessions. Thanks.

[@krisCrashTV]

Oh good. I keep finding pine needle basket videos and how to use cattails but all I got is this rye straw ;D

[@bethhickm]

omg same!! i have a huge amount of rye straw and i’m trying to learn to weave it. didn’t think i’d find someone in the same situation 😂

[@krisCrashTV]

😂 The farmer told me rye has the longest straw so definitely a top choice 👍 but I've also scavenged some decorative grasses that are long, thin and smooth (no knot joints) that work too. Just had to go late in the year when it was definitely dead since it wasn't mine. I don't weave exactly like the video, I've been using yarn to tie it and working much thinner.

[@ragnkja]

Tip to Norwegians: julenek after the birds have eaten all the grains are generally considered waste, but the straw is nice and long.

[@tanjamarie9383]

Tusen takk!!!

[@FunnyDude.mp4]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge sir!

[@craftjoy6936]

Nice 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@madhatter7071]

This such a lovely and helpful series. Thank you!

[@NarniMaryThistle]

🤙👍

[@borninthewrongera6888]

Thanks Alex , this is so cool

[@maureenengland2512]

Can you use field rushes?

[@user-xo5lx6ej2j]

you are nice

[@karencooke1108]

Do both Craeft books contain different information or the same?

[@timothymitchell8310]

I have recently started harvesting miscanthus (silver grass) . I want to dry it more quickly in direct sun. How would one go about that? Thank you in advance. Laying it out flat takes up too much space.

[@FunnyDude.mp4]

I hang them on a clothesline ive strung up along my balcony!

[@MelissaElsworth]

Would ivy be good for basket material? It’s an invasive plant here in Oregon, or better for a bramble substitute?

[@craftylilhandses]

Ivy can be used in basketry, but depending on the type you might want to dry and dial it in a water glycerine mixture to rehydrate which will keep the lengths supple.

[@angelikakaljukits6726]

Ok, your accent is hard for me to understand, but I like your videos. Very nicely done. And you really know what you are doing, so I have to go through your videos... See you there!

[@L70s]

You could try turning on cc and see if that helps.

[@AsaBraunschneider]

Did anyone ever tell you that you look like Sylvester Stallone?