I've been wanting to make the Williamsburg Onion Basket for quite a while, but I couldn't decide whether I should dye the seagrass, or leave it natural, and finally decided to use the natural seagrass with smoked round reed. The Williamsburg handle is woven in from start, and one thing I like about this pattern, is the filler reed in the bottom of the basket - no large holes for things to fall through.
With the base almost finished, I get to start weaving around the basket, and then turn (or bend) up the stakes to start shaping the sides, but first I need to re-wet the reed, without soaking the handle. My favorite way to do that is with wet, but not dripping kitchen towels, because it works like a charm!
Starting to weave up the sides:
A make-do seagrass holder (warping peg for winding weaving yarn and clamp) worked wonders, and kept the roll of seagrass organized for most of the weaving. I'm so happy I thought of it!
It did take longer to weave the sides of this basket than the other ones I've made, and I know it's because it takes a lot more rows of skinny reed and seagrass to fill up the sides, than it does with wider reed, although I do love the look!
The sides are finished, and next time I work on it, I'll be working on the top edge and putting on the rim to finish the basket.
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2 comments:
what a great basket!
are your baskets kits? would love to know where you get them from.
I have quiet a few baskets made from the natural seagrass-this is going to be a beauty of a basket for a long time! Nice work....I have a kit somewhere I should hunt out and work on!
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