Threads 40: Soap Trivets
For this issue we are going to look at a very useful little basketry soap trivet which is ideal for keeping in the kitchen or bathroom for your soap. It is also a wonderful present to give to family and friends, and also for children to make.
In this issue of Threads, I will explain how to make the soap trivet using round reed, and next issue will explore ways of using willow for large items using the same technique.
It is much more interesting to use coloured reed, and reed is very easily dyed using either natural dyes (onion skins or walnut husks) or bought dyes.
You will need heavier material for the circle and cross pieces, and finer material for the weavers.
Instructions to make a small soap trivet
Material Required
a reed ring frame
two short thick pieces of reed
25 pieces of small coloured round reed
You will need water, a bowl for water and a pair of garden clippers or small sharp scissors.
The tension tray technique is used to make this soap trivet. It’s very simple to make, but it is important to have the right materials (see Tips to Gather Your Own Materials below).
Soak all reed for 10 minutes in water.
Start weaving:
Place the two short thick pieces on top of the ring frame, equally spaced (see photo 1).
Begin weaving with the small coloured round reed. Take one piece of the small coloured round reed and weave it under the end of the ring frame, over one of the short pieces, and under the second short piece and over the end of the ring frame. Hold in place.
Repeat the same pattern with a second weaver, starting on the opposite end, so the pattern is alternate, and slide the second weaver under the short stick which will create the tension.
These two small pieces should hold the sticks in place. (See photo 2).
Now continue, always starting with the new piece placed under the ring frame, then over and slide under the sticks and over the frame.
Once you get started it should be very easy and quick to weave.
Fill in as many pieces as you can, then cut off all the overlapping pieces.
Now that you’ve learned the technique, you can gather your own materials!
Tips to Gather Your Own Materials
Grapevine is very good to make the ring frame, when pruned in the early spring or harvested in the fall.
For the two larger sticks and small sticks, gather any first year shoots from shrubs such as willow, alder, dogwood, etc, harvested anytime of year. Use them fresh, otherwise soak them until pliable.
Fresh materials will shrink as it dries so keep extra materials to fill in the gap.
Remember the ring frame and short sticks should be strong to hold the finer pieces in place. The shorter sticks are more pliable in order to be able to weave with ease. Experiment with materials and the size of your tray based on the materials you collect.