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| Hand dyed wool in home grown willow basket |
It might have been raining cats and dogs all last month but
at last some of my hand dyed wool now lies basking in my first ever home grown
willow basket!
Making bags is one thing but I have long had a yearning to
make baskets too. Last year’s birthday
present – thirty or so willow stick cuttings and some agricultural matting
might not be everyone’s idea of a glittering, surprise birthday treat; but for
me it was potentially a dream come true.
Despite some rather dry weather last year and little
attention on the allotment the cuttings survived. One year on the first rods
were harvested in February. Although another year is really needed for the rods
to be suitable for basket making I have finally coaxed a few of the first
growth into something recognisable as a basket.
Apart from a practice run with some rolled up newspaper and
sliced up supermarket carrier bags this was my first attempt at basketry. A
long way to go yet and lots to learn but working with the willow proved to be
very satisfying. The aroma of the willow is lovely and I’m looking to grow some
different varieties next year.
Around 1850’s William Scaling, willow grower and basket
maker to Queen Victoria grew the finest willows on land less than a mile away from
my little patch. There is no sign of it now but basket making and wicker work
for perambulators and furniture was an important industry locally well into the twentieth century. I wonder if
could ever be revived ? .... I guess it might take just a few more willows.
