Threads 93: More about Coiling Pine Needle Baskets

The making of coiled baskets involves the use of a pliable material which is used to wrap around the core and stitch below into the coil and then wrap the core again. Pine needles are used to form the coil. To keep the coil even, they can be placed inside a straw which helps to hold them together.

The stitching material on a pine needle basket is very often raffia. This can be purchased in various colours or it can be dyed. A blunt tapestry needle is usually used to stitch the coils together. Various decorative stitches can be used to create patterns on the side of the basket. The shaping of the basket is controlled by the placement of the coil. There are several excellent YouTube videos on the method of making Pine needle baskets.

I have quite a few examples of pine needle baskets in the museum. They have all been stitched with Rafia and one with coloured Raffia. However today a lot of people use waxed polyester thread or waxed linen thread which is stronger and can be pulled tighter.

Another attractive reason for making Pine needle baskets is the lovely natural smell of pine needles. If they are kept for a long time in the Sun, they can easily be revived by soaking in hot water and then dried. 

Below are some examples of Pine needle baskets from the collection in the museum.

Photo 1  - A  lidded pine needle basket with coloured rafia. Size H 4” W 4 ½

My first Pine needle basket, in Photo 1, was made during a workshop with Judy Mulford in the 1980s! It used to have little pine cones on the top. I always took it to the school when I was teaching children, and they eventually fell off because I think the children played with them! They always commented on the nice smell of the basket. 

Below are photos of additional pine needle baskets from the museum collection. 

Photo 2 - oval basket size H 1” W 2 3/4 “

Photo 3 - Round basket with Birch bark base H 2” X W 3”

Photo 4 - example of decorative Teneriffe base 5” x 6”