Basketry is simply the skill and practice of making baskets.
The Willow
If you wanted to grow your own you could, perhaps an allotment if you do not have the space in your garden. Establish the beds by pushing willow branches into damp ground. You would have to leave them to grow for three years and then cut them down to ground level in winter time. You will be able to cut them down once a year after that. After you have cut the willow (which hard work) you will need to loosen the bark with a brake and then remove the bark with your fingers.
The Brake - you would pull the willow down through the V of
the round iron brake to split the bark ready for stripping.
Soaking the Willow
Although you will store the willow dry you will not be able to work with it dry. You need to soak the willow for an hour or so and then left to mellow over night. In the morning the willow should be flexible enough to work with. Also, it is important to note that you should not work on the basket in the sun, as the willow will dry out too quickly.Making baskets with willow is also known as wickerwork.
Creating coloured willow
Brown - have the bark left on (rougher)Buff - boiled for five hours before stripping the bark
White - stripped without boiling
You can use the different colours to create lines and patterns in the basket.
Baskets to make from wicker
Wicker baskets are versatile, we have listed a few examples below of what you could make.Hop Picking basket - large with side handles and lid