Wool in the willows

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.