Random Weave Basketry- Guest article by Jason from A Great Alternative
Jamie Dakota
I used mostly fresh weeping willow as it’s what I had to hand but I collected a few other bits to experiment with. That was by far the bit I enjoyed most, just experimenting with textures and colours to see what works so I’d say do the same yourself!
Overall I used about 30 weeping willow cuttings (from different trees), 2 corkscrew willow cuttings, 10 cuts from a downed tree (not sure what it was) and a piece of holly.
Weave a simple circle to fit your bowl. I made mine so that it fit snug on the edges of the bowl but you can tie it together with string so that the bowl sits on top and doesn’t fall out when you pick it up.
Begin weaving over the bowl and within the circle.
Continue weaving in smaller canes, filing gaps and holes wherever you want.
Add a handle.
I used a single piece of thicker cutting that I tried to stick about 3cm in the existing structure then used weeping willow to wrap around and tie it in further.
Add creative touches.
I love the gnarled, twisting corkscrew willow so I tried to add that in where I can.
I did this by weaving in longer sections then using weeping willow to weave over the top and keep it more secure.
I thought about how it would be held and put these touches in places that wouldn’t be in the way of your hand.
My overall aim was to try and give the effect that it was a wild basket growing out of itself so that’s why I tried to make it seem that it comes from the circular edge.
Fill in the base as much as you want.
It totally depends on how you will use the basket so make it as full as you need.
Finishing touches.
As this was a present for a family member I thought they would like a more delicate addition as I know they will take extra care when using the basket whether it was made to withstand a bomb or not 😁
Happy weaving!!
Jason
If you found this article interesting you might also like our Birch Bark Basketry Course
