one-day course basketmaking

venue: Hackney City Farm, London

Make your own frame basket in a day with Northamptonshire basketmaker Sue Kirk. ‘Frame’ or ‘ribbed’ baskets were originally made by gypsies who would use hedgerow materials for the construction of these beautiful baskets. You will be using a variety of coloured willows on the day. Materials are grown in Somerset and Northamptonshire. You will need a pair of secateurs, sharp pen-knife and a cushion to kneel on. This is a straightforward first basket to make, and so this is a perfect workshop for beginners.

The day includes:

• introduction to willow
• brief history of the frame basket and its construction
• making the ribs and setting them into a curve
• how to make a hoop, slyping and setting up the frame
• splitting the rods and making skeins, in preparation for the 'god's eye'
• adding ribs to the frame
• randing, or filling in the frame with weavers
• packing the weave to achieve an even finish
• the qualities of willow, and how to select the right sized rods for the construction and weaving of the basket

You can make either an oval or a round frame basket, with or without a handle. If you don't finish weaving the basket on the day, it's easy to complete at home - and a worksheet will be provided. Hoops will be pre-prepared as they will only hold their shape after being set and dried overnight. But you will have the opportunity to practice making a good hoop, so that you can easily create this basket at home.

more on basketmaking

students weaving various coloured willows into their round frame basket

a round frame basket made with willow and lime

students slyping pre-set hoops for their frame baskets