Basketry 101

When I was living in Alaska (in the late 80's), I was fascinated by Eskimo baskets and wanted to learn how to make them. The only class I could find at the time was a two night course on making baskets with yarn. Back then, I made mine with a nubby wool tweed. I created a very large one and entered it in the annual Fur Rendezvous competition. I won division champion and still have the ribbon hanging in my studio. I have no idea where all the baskets I made are as, sadly, I'd given them all away. Obviously, that's the way I am!

Yesterday, I wanted to see if I could still remember the technique. I guess some things are so imprinted in your brain that you never forget. It came back easily. I made this one out of yarn recycled from a thrift store sweater. I like it a lot better than the ones I made in Alaska because of the different colors I used. I was taught not to use different colors because you could see the change--but I kinda like that! I think it looks like a Yurt or a maybe beehive! I'm pondering a DIY for this but I'm not sure if there's any interest or not. I do believe I'm going to make some as Christmas gifts this year.

I'll be uploading pics of the basket on my Flickr account. I'm tech challenged, so those of you who've asked to link to my Flickr please bear with me! I'll figure it out shortly.

Now that you've read this far, I suppose you're wondering who won yesterday's giveaway. It's TRACEY IN CONNECTICUT! Yeah Tracey!

I'd like to thank all of you who entered Tuesday's giveaway. I was wishing I could send everyone something, so I've decided that the Tuesday in my birthday week I'll be celebrating my BIG day by sending everyone who enters the giveaway one of my tiny recycled silver cupcake charms. I'm not going to tell you when it is or how many entries I'll take, but it's coming soon....so stay tuned!

Pin It