Threads 81: Basket Handles

The image of a basket, in most people's minds, is a woven container with a handle. It is also a very useful object, used for carrying small things and for packing and harvesting fruits and vegetables. However, without a good handle or method of carrying, it does not serve its purpose very well. 

For that reason, the next few Threads will review and discuss the many different and ingenious ways handles can be made.

Willow Basket

Obviously, the material used to construct the basket reflects the type of handle. Strong sturdy materials like willow provide strong, sturdy handles. But baskets made of finer material, such as round and flat reed, or black ash, require a different style of handle. 

The strong sturdy willow shopping basket shown below was made in England.

Penobscot-style Tote basket 

I learned to make this basket in a workshop given by Diane Stanton in the 80s. She had seen a ‘shopper’s‘ basket many years before in the Children’s Museum in Boston. It was made of black ash, with the handles made of Hong Kong Grass. It was identified as a Penobscot basket. She followed up with research and used flat reed and shaker tape for the handles. It was one of the most popular workshops she taught. 

After reading about the origin of this basket last week, imagine my surprise when I discovered I had been given a basket identical to the original Penobscot-style basket. I had suspected it was made of black ash, but it has a very strange base, which I think has been stained with a dark pigment. See photos (the base is darker than the photo shows). I am following up with the person who gave me this basket to discover how it came into her possession.

Another style of handle for the Penobscot basket is to use nylon strap material. These straps add color to the basket and are long lasting.