Additional Set Elements - Basket
In the original R&D performance I used a plastic laundry basket to hold the sacks that hang on the washing line, however, this clearly stuck out as not part of the woody/autumnal colours of the set and so I looked for a laundry basket that would fit with the same textures and colours of the set. Lots of the baskets made form natural materials were very expensive and so I decided to have a go at making a basket from leftover willow.
I started by doing some research on how to weave baskets using willow and by soaking a big bundle of willow over night.
I followed a combination of youtubve videos and webpages to make this large basket.
I wove the base until it seemed big enough, using a simple over and under style weave. The willow, despite being well soaked, was brittle and snapped more often than it would have done with fresh willow. I was also told that willow soaked more than once can become more brittle when its soaked a second time and I think that might have happened here.
I kept replacing rods when they broke so the weave is a little patchy and lumpy, but i’m surprised at how strong the base turned out.
Once the base was big enough, I added the forks that help to create the side of the basket and started to weave willow up the sides using the same tecniques as the base.
Once I’d gotten the hang of it the sides quickly built up.
When the sides were tall enough I finished the top with a weave that meant all the remaining willow rods were tucked in and gave a strong rim.
Finally I added handles and finished the basket by trimming and tucking in any rod that were poking out.
I am really pleased with the final product and surprised at how strong it feels considering the age of the willow and my inexperience as a basket maker! I think it works really well with the rest of the set colours and is a great container for the puppets when everything is being moved around.














