The second in our series to look at oval work, we continue with this lovely wet linen basket in white willow. Some experience with oval work would help with this basket but it is not essential, although some experience of willow work is a prerequisite. A slightly bigger bottom than our first oval basket makes a bigger basket overall. We use a different set up of slath rods and bottom sticks. We revisit the rope handles so if you have not done course number two on the Norfolk One Bushel Skep then you get to experience the ‘cranking’ technique on this basket instead.
With each course there is a PDF containing everything you need to complete your basket. You will find information on willow sizes and varieties, willow cultivation, soaking and mellowing times as well as the basket “recipe” for this course. I would advise reading the document thoroughly before doing any practical work.
We start with a brief chat about willow cultivation, varieties, soaking/mellowing times, tools and workshop set up.
Below is a list of the techniques you will learn on this course.
- Selecting and setting up the slath rods and bottom sticks
- Tying the slath under feet and knees (position changes)
- Chasing three sets of pairing rods
- Reverse pairing
- Selecting and slyping the stakes on back
- Staking up
- Pricking up
- 4 rod waling in two places
- 3 rod waling and chasing
- Slewing (butts on outside)
- Controlling the stakes
- Packing method
- 4 rod wale (2 x 2) under border
- 5 rod border
- Cranking technique to make rope handles
By the end of this course you will be comfortable with making larger oval baskets. Using this permutation of bottom sticks to slath rods you can make bottoms up to 18″ x 14″ enabling you to make large oval log baskets etc. You will be able to shape your basket by adding slewing rods at the appropriate time or use the packing technique to add height in different areas. Practice with the cranking method and sequence will improve the look of your rope handles and enable you to add rope handles to various other basket styles. You will have a feel for using stripped white willow and may appreciate the shorter soaking times than for bark on willows, enabling you to make baskets at shorter notice while waiting for your browns to be ready.
I hope you have enjoyed the course and go on to make many more baskets. As previously I would advise making around six or more of each basket to assimilate the techniques before going on to make different shaped baskets. Remember repetition is the key 🙂
Until we have a buy it now facility courses can be purchased in different ways, its best to email us first to check which is best for your country. We take payment from the UK by bank transfer or international payments via Wise or our euro bank account.
For payment via UK bank transfer please use the payment details below:
Santander Business Account, Ruth Charlton Artisan Vannier sort code 09-01-50 account 03544451 for UK sterling payments. We also have a Euro account, details upon request.
Please email us stating which course(s) you would like to purchase and then once payment has been made we will email the Introductory Video Course together with the Basketry tuition video for download from We Transfer or by a You Tube link and the PDF document.
Price: £50 or 60€