Fitched Strawberry Basket with Anna Liebmann
Date: Weekend 4th & 5th October, 10am - 4pm
Course Details:
Working with time served dimensions developed for sustained use by the human body, students will build round baskets designed for harvesting strawberries from the field in a market garden situation. We will start with 6 strong stout slath sticks, with one remaining slath stick being used as a weaver as well, resulting in extra strenth. The work is held in place by your feet as you weave, a delicate dance!
A good crown to the base will be achieved. This type of base construction is very strong,. The size of the base is approx 9”. Students may make a French-style base with pierced slaths if preferred.
We will then weave a pull down 3 rod wale, stepping up into a 3 rod wale to complete the upset.
The sides are woven by plunging very thick sticks into the waling pockets, to act as bye stakes. Then we will fitch around and diagonally up the stakes and bye stakes creating the open sides. Other weaves are available if students prefer! At the top, a round of pairing and a couple of rounds of waling are used then a 5 rod behind 2 border is worked. Anna can show students how to create a border with flow or more tightly, as in the English tradition, twisting the knuckles down.
We will then insert a handle bow and use fine willows to wrap the bow, securing it in place. Your basket will be admired for decades!
Suitable for students familiar with willow basketry who have worked on at least a few stake and strand baskets before, preferably able to work under their own steam already.
All tools and materials are included in the course cost, but you are welcome to bring your own materials to try weaving with
TO BOOK: https://www.annaliebmann.net/shop/p/fitched-strawberry-basket-course-with-anna-liebmann
COST: £200