Crafting Chronicles: My Story of Basketry with a Beginner’s Kit
Hey there, SCAdidans and other crafty friends!
Guess what? I finally did it! I’ve completed all six baskets from the Traditional Crafts beginners kit I mentioned in my “Basket Case: My Crafting Adventure with Traditional Crafts Kits” post from December 30th. And it was quite the journey!
First things first: I have to say, this kit is totally worth the investment. It’s not just about the baskets you end up with (which, by the way, are awesome), but also the experience and skills you gain along the way.
The Good Stuff:
*The instructions? Super clear! It took me a bit to realize the steps go vertically, but once I got that, it was smooth sailing.
*There’s more than enough supplies for each basket, which is a big relief. No running out of materials mid-project here!
*The best part? You get to master four classic basketry techniques: coiling, twining, wicker, and plaiting. I even learned two different stitch patterns in coiling and how to mix and match materials and colors.
The Not-So-Great Stuff:
*Okay, so it did take me longer to finish each basket than the kit suggested. But patience is a virtue, right?
*Sometimes the materials didn’t take too kindly to being redone. You know how it is when something just doesn’t go right the first time…
*Raffia and I didn’t quite get along. The loose collection when you wet it snarled to much for my liking, so next time, I’ll experiment with a large spool version I found online.
*The thick thread for the pine needle basket was a bit of a puzzle. It expanded when wet, which wasn’t ideal for working on it later. I’m on the hunt for a better thread, especially since I adore the pine scent and have a ton of long needle pines near my home for future .practice
But hey, I stuck to my guns and finished all six baskets before allowing myself to dive into anything new. And today? I’m super excited because I’m off to that basket class at Lauritzen Gardens I talked about before.
Stay tuned for more of my crafting adventures, and feel free to share your own experiences or tips in the comments below. I love hearing from you, too.
