Basket Case!

We did have some fun with our basket making!  I'm back now but was a bit sorry to have to leave my unfinished last project behind... for the next holiday.  I'm definitely keen to make some more baskets at some point (and even try some different kinds).  These coiled baskets are really easy though and anyone could have a go at making them.  They are inexpensive as you don't need to buy any materials (apart from some string maybe but any cheap natural fibre string would work - well, it doesn't even need to be natural fibre of course, but I just think it's nicer to go with the dry grass and the whole theme of it.).

After the first larger basket, I decided I wanted to make one with a lid.  This time I used a different, finer linen string to make it.

I decorated the lid with real acorns and some crochet oak leaves.

I loved the tiny one I found which I drilled

with a fine drill bit so I could attach it.

After the lidded one, I decided to try using raffia as my 

tying/covering media and completely covered the dry grass.

I looks really nice and makes for a more "professional" looking basket

which is smooth and tight.

The only thing with rafia is that the lengths are shorter

so you need to refill your needle and join more often.

Raffia is a natural fibre which is also inexpensive.

It's really thin but really strong.

I had never worked with raffia before and I like it.

I asked my son to make me yet another needle for this project,

one that was flatter to be more easily inserted between the tight coils.

He made it out of elder (the others were all made of oak) and it works

a treat.  Sadly it eventually broke but he promised to make me another one.

Here are the various needles he made for us:

And lastly, a photo of our collective first effort

at basket making - there are even more unfinished items

that I didn't show in the photo.

I made a couple of videos on this which I will upload over the course of the next couple of weeks.  I really enjoyed this holiday activity with my children.

I hope you all had a nice time too.  Can't believe it's September already!  Time to buy new school shoes and get back to the routine.  

Best wishes,

Frivole