How to make a basket: EP01 Splitting Bramble

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Published 2020-11-01

In this episode of 'How to make a basket', we'll start with preparing some traditional basket-making materials. We'll go through the process of splitting bramble (blackberry) cane, one of the most versatile and easily sourced basket making materials available.

Buy Cræft: An enquiry into the origins and true meaning of traditional crafts (USA) wwnorton.com/books/9780393356571

Buy Cræft: How traditional crafts are about more than just making (UK) www.faber.co.uk/9780571324408-craeft.html

‘How to make a basket’ is a chance to connect with the world of traditional and heritage crafts but also to see the kinds of things that you can do in your own back shed. The natural world provides a vast range of natural materials that, since primitive times, have been used to make many of the day-to-day objects that we surrounded ourselves with. Many people the world over still use natural materials and craft skills to make stuff and in Britain, up until the early twentieth century, many of these skills still resided amongst the rural community.

If you’ve enjoyed the BBC’s Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm and Wartime Farm, then hopefully you will enjoy my lockdown project: 'How to make a basket'. I am spending so much time in my shed at present, that I thought I might as well film it. So, follow me in this series as I go about showing you how to craft a traditional coil basket. On the way, we’ll look at the different kind of plants that you can use, the skills and techniques, the key tools, and I’ll throw in a few juicy historical facts.

All Comments (21)

@vixiera 1 month ago

Amazing, I found this video just after I'd checked out an audiobook from the library about traditional crafts (Cræft). Written by..... Alexander Langlands! The writing in the book reminded enough of the narration in this video that I googled the author and it led me right back to this video 😊 great work both on screen and in your books. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Mr. Langlands!
@aurysage3043 2 months ago

Very nice. Very educational and well produced. Thanks.
@alex9190 1 year ago

i knew that voice sounded familiar!!!! loved you on the historical farm series!!
@prairieprepper 1 year ago

I heard about this project during your interview on The Poor Prole's Almanac. What a pleasure to see you still enjoying these kinds of projects and sharing your knowledge! I'd love to see more of this kind of thing if you ever have the time. I was so pleased to hear your dressing up in costume and experiencing history in real life are not done forever, either! Enjoy the delights and trials of having a young family (I know it's a busy time!) and I think all us Wartime Farm fans will look forward to seeing you on a new project someday. 🙂
@marcwilson1052 9 months ago

I am delighted to have found this channel. I frequently watch the farm series' and hoped for new content. And here you are. Looking forward to your future endeavors. Thank you.
@christiyorkartist 3 years ago

People will probably be surprised how much of (some) basketmaking uses your whole body. Thanks for posting this series on-line! (LOVE your book)
@benwilson1979 3 years ago

So pumped for this series! Got hooked on ya in Victorian farm, and am thrilled to find your new work!
@mikkipatterson7189 3 years ago

I hope this channel is successful for you. My wife and I love your work on the Historic Farm series. Your so talented and knowledgeable. A joy to watch!
@niamha301 2 years ago

Thank you so much for this, I love history and all the old fashioned crafts. Now I can try my hand at a new craft😄
@waltergigandet6715 6 months ago

Good teachings, but modern man will Just watch it! It’s too much time dedicated to sling the splints❤ You’re the best!
@ArcherOO78 2 years ago

I love these old world Crafts. I have a feeling they will be useful again in future times. Thank you Alex
@kelraven 3 years ago

Love these how to's! I've tried a few things from the different shows. Sometimes a bit hard matching the natural resources used with what I have here. lol It's fun experimenting though!
@OliverWallaceStories 14 days ago

This is such a good video - thank you - I wondered what kind of tool is that you are using to split the cane?
@88Billa 10 months ago

Love and truly understand your motivation to work with this resistant and strong material!
@hlegler 2 years ago

Just discovered this channel and subscribed!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@MelissaElsworth 3 years ago

I’m looking forward to learning this so I can make some baskets for gardening and maybe my spinning stuff. I’m also pondering if the brambles could be retted and treated like flax for spinning.
@cm4099 3 years ago

Wonderful video! I can't believe it took me this long to look for you here. LOL Looking forward to many more.
@DanDan100ism 1 year ago

Love this kind of work.Thankyou.
@xhanurax 1 year ago

I love your work, it fills me with passion and hope !
@myworld8266 3 years ago

Found a little gem here, loved it Alex, and have already started sharing with friends and family who all love these types of crafts.