Our first square work basket of the series looks at the Asparagus Basket. A traditional basket shown to me by my Master back in the mid 80’s. This basket introduces the student to different working methods and opens up many possibilities for making further square work. Some experience with willow work is necessary before attempting this course.
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.
- Screwblock
- Selecting our bottom sticks and setting up our screwblock
- Pairing first rod
- Randing up the bottom
- Pairing top rod
- Selecting and slyping stakes on the back
- Staking up using mallet and bodkin
- Pricking up
- 3 rod waling starting with tips and chasing
- Slewing
- Controlling the stakes
- 3 rod wale under border
- 5 rod blunt square corner
- Selecting and inserting handle bows
- Handle tie
By the end of this course you will have learned the English square work method. Adding more or less bottom sticks/stakes to make larger or smaller bottoms will enable you to make a variety of square work. Practice the stake up using a bodkin with a fine point, this will help your accuracy with the mallet. Controlling your stakes on the corner is the key to a consistent shape. Good luck.
I hope you have enjoyed the course and go on to make many more baskets. As previously stated I would advise making about 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.