How I got started weaving willow baskets

Love that you’re sharing in this format!

Thank you!

This was such a well done video! Thank you for sharing all your beginner tips. It's so helpful learning from someone who's still learning. <3

Thank you for this video

Such a lovely video Alex that I wish I could have watched when I started weaving myself ☺ Your video skills and calming voice makes it like a dream to watch ❤

Thank you so much for sharing, I’m desperate to give basket weaving a shot and this was so informative.

What a wonderful video! 😍 Thanks for sharing your knowledge

<3

Thanks for mentioning the blacksmiths. As a member of that most honorable profession, it's always nice when folks take up one of the Traditional Trades and come looking for some tools to help on their journey. People don't often think about the 2nd Order Effects of things, like how the smiths provided tools. As one relied on the other, the downturn of one created a downturn for the other. We use the term "cottage industry" because a lot of the Traditional Trades literally were people working out of their cottages, using local materials to make good for the local customers. This is what gave us such wonderful regional variation in styles, building thriving cultures everywhere you turned. I keep thinking of planting some willows here outside the smithy. While I've looked around the area, I don't see anyone weaving baskets and carrying on the trade.... so maybe that's one more iron I'll need to add to the fire.

One thing that you might find helpful -- places that deal with livestock supplies will carry troughs that make great soaking tubs for willow. You can get them in various lengths, and they are often very light, made from aluminum and plastic, so they're easy to move around or dump out when you're not using them. I won't say they're better than the one your gent made for you, but it's maybe an option if you need to add to the mix. I see them for sale second-hand quite frequently, so you can get them at a discount if you keep your eyes peeled.

I’m in Anacortes! Just looking into weaving thank you. Informative video!

Thank you for Sharing ! It is Beautiful to see your life's flow and your Lovely Baskets.

Thankyou ever so much, I've just planted 100 willow rooting branches of 5 European varieties!!! Can't wait to make my first basket.

Beautiful video. Love the styling, colours and the presentation. You are going to do very well.

You are an amazing human 🙏🏽🤍🙌🏽

Oh wow! The joy I just experienced hearing that your local guilds are actually local to me too! I was thinking that this area wouldn't have as much as the major metropolitan areas further south and north of me, but it definitely sounds like there are options! Thank you for the video and all the info

👍

I'm so excited I've just found your channel. I've booked a weaving course for my birthday and I'm so excited to start!

Do you have a video tutorial?

No kidding you have to dry the willow prior to weaving!?

Thank you for the amazing video. It makes me feel like starting weaving willow baskets too!!! ❤❤❤❤

This is a beautifully shot video. And the audio quality on your mic is stellar. ❤

Thank you for making this. I took my first basket workshop in 2022 and I am absolutely obsessed.
I noticed in one of your shorts you got to weave in Wales! I would love to connect because I want to take a trip over there one day, maybe take a workshop from Hannah Van Aelst too

I love that wood folding table. I'd love to make one for renfaire when I breaking my hides (barktan). Do you or your partner have plans or pictures I could get from you?

The best trout basket I ever had was a willow one. I paid $150.00 for a used one 30 years ago.

Less talk and more demos/

Ooh, the steamer tip was exactly what I was wondering about! Many thanks.

You have a lovely voice.

I love this so much. I’ve only ever woven baskets with banana fibre which I absolutely love the look and feel of, but one day I’d love to try other materials and fibres as well

You're beautiful, thank you for making this video!

could you share the link for those secateurs?