Baskets, Basketry, Basket making, Basketwork 

From the back cover:

Experience the satisfaction of working willow into beautiful and classic forms - and become part of a great tradition.

Here's a rare opportunity to learn traditional European willow basketry techniques under the guidance of two master craftsmen.

Bernard and Regula Verdet-Fier of Switzerland have written and illustrated a handbook to provide aspiring and experienced basketmakers with access to a wealth of traditional forms and techniques. They present their well-grounded approach to working willow with the thorough apprenticeship style they use in their own workshop.

In the opening chapters, you'll find information on the shop, the tools, the cultivation and harvesting of the willow plant, the processing of rods, weave patterns, basket design, and construction techniques. The handsome, informative, step-by-step illustrations carefully guide you through the process of learning.

The authors also offer full instructions for making with Old World basketry projects - a shopping basket, a lidded basket, tray, laundry basket, stool, and more. You'll learn enough about how to plan a project and work the materials to create your own variations on round, oval, and square work forms.

There are also an extensive glossary, bibliography, and index, as well as a list of willow and basketry sources in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

First published in German, this valuable information is being presented for the first time to English-speaking basketmakers.