Threads 101: Useful baskets
In the next few issues we will look at baskets which have been especially designed to serve a purpose. How practical people were in the olden days!
The spinning creole was designed to hold the fleece ready to be spun on a spinning wheel. At this point the wool would have been washed and carded made into a rollags - the carded wool is rolled into about a foot long sausage. Because it was light and fluffy and could easily be blown away so it was carefully stored in this covered basket and easily accessible for the spinner.
The basket is about 24 inches long and made of Willow. It is a frame basket, and started at both ends separately. With the two ends overlapping and joining in the centre. The square opening would have been used to help attach the two ends together. The ends of the cut steaks at the top are used to tie the weaving tightly back.
There is still time to make Christmas presents. Here are Christmas ideas from Threads from years past (click on the links).
Threads 80: Stars, or, how to make a star with one willow rod
Threads 60: A sweet little birch bark basket to hang on the Christmas tree
Threads 37: Looking for a Christmas present for a basket maker?