My First Basket!
My first basket, and the tools used to create it.
Basket making is quite an impressive craft. On the face of it very simple, using few tools and simple techniques; however once you have tried it, you realise the skill and mastery involved in turning those simple twigs into an impressive array of incredibly sturdy objects. I've got a long way to go before I can say I've managed the basics, but I'm glad I've started the journey.
From left to right. An iron, or any weight used to hold the basket stready; willow - in this case 'greens' or recently cut (1 month old) willow, a bradawl for opening gaps and splitting, a knife for creating 'slype' (diagonal cut at the end of a rod), a rapping iron for tightening the weave, and secateurs for creating cuts.
