Walking on a beach with friends in Otaki, New Zealand I mentioned I was interested in basket weaving. “Oh the man who made the baskets in Lord of the Rings is just up the street” said one of them. So off we went!
Mr. Douglas welcomed us in and shared tips for good baskets:
- Don’t hurry your work; a well-made basket can last 40 years.
- Use the cleaver tool to tighten the weave.
- To test a willow variety for suitability. Hold it by the narrow tip and twist in a circle.
- Good tools make good work.
Mr Douglas in his workshop.
Recommended tools – Felco sécateurs #8
Opinel knife
Cleaver to be sure the weave is tight.
A bodkin for making holes to feed strands through.
Soaking trough for dried willow.
Finished products
Where abouts in Otaki is he based? I tried to find him today.