This is a wonderful tutorial, really nicely explained. Vince, did you grow up in Thornaby Gardens? I lived at number 71 and went to Raynham School with Wesley. Seem to remember a group called the Gutterats but not sure if you was associated with them. I sometimes popped into your home. Your dad, Leo, was really cool. My mum, Pat, said you was once a park ranger at Pymmes Park.
I have two weeping willows on my farm. I wish I would have seen this during COVID, I would have been a millionaire by now, (making baskets.) 😂 When is the best time to cut off the branches? I see they didn’t have leaves, but couldn’t figure out if it was spring or fall? Thanks for the video!
Hi and thank you for your feedback. I collected the branches during November here in England as I had just started making these videos and as it was sparse for plant walks I made a basket instead. I’m not entirely sure when the best time to collect would be as l am not and expert on basket making and I’m sure there are some people better qualified to answer that but I did find them easily pliable and without foliage, easier to prepare. Good luck with your own creative work and let me know how you get on. kind regards, Vincent.
Apologies about the music, I wasn’t aware of the levels once it had uploaded but I hope you can ignore it and hopefully let the visuals override the annoyance. Thank for the feedback.
Near my house there is a really bad infestation of an alien species: virginia creeper. While trying to remove as much as I could from my garden, I have found it to be very pliable and woody. I attempted to make a wreath and it was easily done. Hopefully it will be possible to use it in a similar way as willow, so that uprooting/removing will be akin to harvesting and the plant will have a second life, better suited for the environment. Fingers crossed!
I've experimented with a Virginia Creeper this year after uprooting mountains of it from a relative's yard where it had invaded. I've had success doing wreaths and a sort of sculptural basket in the "random weave" style, which I find is a style more amenable than traditional weaving styles to varying thicknesses and pliability levels. If I'm not weaving it the very same day I've pulled it, I let it soak in water for at least a night before weaving, ideally somewhere where mosquitos won't breed in the water. Good luck!
I've experimented with a Virginia Creeper this year after uprooting mountains of it from a relative's yard where it had invaded. I've had success doing wreaths and a sort of sculptural basket in the "random weave" style, which I find is a style more amenable than traditional weaving styles to varying thicknesses and pliability levels. If I'm not weaving it the very same day I've pulled it, I let it soak in water for at least a night before weaving, ideally somewhere where mosquitos won't breed in the water. Good luck!
Thanks for the video it was really great. But in all fairness I think you would have done a better job on the basket if you just fucked the willow in a pile and walked away.
I feel the directions could be clearer as to what thickness/length of branches you need to have for this, but other then that I really liked this. My first attempt is a bit wonky and somewhat fragile, but for my first time ever making a basket it went really well, and the directions were really easy to follow.
I dunno what i collected today but im beginning to think it wasnt willow. Im so confused. Can you help me identify i send u pics somehow? I think it is white willow but looked different from what u got
Thank you ~ I could not hear very well due to the sound being very low, (though much better than too loud background music) ~ your easy step by step video is great to watch with clear instructions means I am able to recognise what you are doing (easy to forget when not making everyday)
@@vincentlearoyd4882 :-) at least you can record a video (mine are so bad I have to warn people!!) though I realise I often put my finger over the speaker, or turn my camera around, lol!) going to go out and cut a bit of willow soon
