Basketry

The Shaker Community, founded in New York, is known for their design aesthetic, combining form and function in simply elegant ways. This class introduces students to the Cathead base, a Shaker classic. In this form, a small, square-base, grows into a round basket, at the diameter and height of the student’s choosing. This particular technique of weaving corners, produces four “feet” upon which the basket rests. This creates a raised base on the inside of the basket, allowing its contents to first fill the perimeter of the basket, and then the center. Disbursing the weight of the basket contents, first to the perimeter, serves to prevent produce from becoming bruised, and protects the center of the basket from wearing out. Students will weave a two-by-two twill pattern for both the base and the sides of the basket.

This basket is woven on a pre-stained round oak base, and employs continuous chase weave to build the sides. Students will learn the process for determining the number of spokes needed for continuous weave, and be challenged and excited to watch their baskets grow with two weavers. Students make their own leather handles in class, which incorporate into the rim. This rustically graceful and functional basket is woven on a 6" base which grows into a 12" diameter basket. The basket measures 10” high at sides.

The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. Create your own pack basket patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. Adults and children can wear this pack. Students will weave a plain weave base with the pre-cut spokes. Then learn to continuous weave the sides of the basket, pack tight, level the top, weave a false rim, cut, and tuck, insert the wood handle, fit the rim and lash on basket. Lastly, add an adjustable webbing or leather harness secured with wood skids. This class will be fun for all weavers. This is a great intro size pack to making pack baskets. Linda will demonstrate, teach you weaving techniques and guide you while you weave your basket. Students will be using a drawknife and other sharp tools. Instructor will bring all materials to make the basket. Baskets will not be stained during class. Dimensions are 6"" x 9"" x 14"" high.

The Adirondack Pack Basket is one of the most recognized objects associated with the Adirondacks. Create your own pack basket patterned from the traditional Adirondack Pack Baskets. Adults and children can wear this pack. Students will weave a plain weave base with the pre-cut spokes. Then learn to continuous weave the sides of the basket, pack tight, level the top, weave a false rim, cut, and tuck, insert the wood handle, fit the rim and lash on basket. Lastly, add an adjustable webbing or leather harness secured with wood skids. This class will be fun for all weavers. This is a great intro size pack to making pack baskets. Linda will demonstrate, teach you weaving techniques and guide you while you weave your basket. Students will be using a drawknife and other sharp tools. Instructor will bring all materials to make the basket. Baskets will not be stained during class. Dimensions are 6"" x 9"" x 14"" high.

A friendly view on your front door, or any place you hang this elegant basket. Woven with natural and dyed reed with an accent of a poplar strip you can personalize. This basket is tall, flat, and has a wooden handle. The top opening can accommodate seasonal dried flowers. Dimensions: 11” wide x 20” high. Intermediate weaving level, hand strength needed.

As long as there have been bicycles it has been fashionable and elegant to have a basket on it. With all its uses this basket is woven with reed similar in shape to the Shaker style of basketry. Having adjustable Shaker tape to attach to your handlebars makes this a fun and novel project. Dimensions: 9” long x 7” wide x 8” high. Intermediate weaving level, hand strength needed.

Beverly was inspired to create this basket after Champagne corks were popped at her daughter’s wedding. Using the metal “muselet” and wire as the “mold” for this basket, she created a memento ornament for their first Christmas. The Muselet is the basket base, and the wire can be the inside or outside mold for your basket. Students will weave this basket with fine Ash to create their own memento. Muselet will be provided, or students may bring their own. Finished size is student’s choice, 1” – 5” tall. This is a miniature basket and therefore is challenging to work on. Moderate weaving experience will keep this class a low stress one day class.

This is an 8-10” version of a Penobscot Tote basket. Students will play with color and over layering spokes to create pattern and learn a new technique that is woven over the basic weaving to decorate this useful carryall.

Weaving with natural and hand-dyed spokes and weavers allows for solid stripes to develop up the side of the basket. The basket is woven on an oak handle with two layers of spokes twined into a base. Additional dyed weavers woven as an overlay complete the top rows. Hand cut birch bark stars complete the design. Dimensions: 10" diameter x 12" high at handle x 7" high at sides.

After weaving using natural reed, you will add your ribbon and insert the swing handle to this nice size and smart looking market basket for which you will find many uses. Tips will be shared on bases and shaping up the sides to make weaving easier for you! Some different ribbon choices will be available. 11" long x 5.5" wide x 12.5" high.

Students will weave a twined base on a red oak d-handle, building the sides in a start-stop plain weave. A sturdy strip of birch bark is woven onto the base at the onset. The evergreen trees are overlaid on the spokes and through the weavers using hand-dyed reed. An optional Adirondack themed rusty tin addition may be hung inside the handle.

A symbol of Americana. This counter basket is popular every day of the year for storage and organization. Woven in a plain weave using natural reed, you will shape this heart basket for its functionality, usage, and fashion all in one. All height sizes will vary. Dimensions: 12” long x 8” wide x varied height. Intermediate weaving level, hand strength needed.