Preparing willow for basket making: Soaking (answering questions, no background music)

Рет қаралды 20,282

Күн бұрын

Here I finally sit down and try to answer all your questions on how to prepare willow for weaving. I go into a lot of detail on soaking, how to know when willow is ready, mellowing, soaking options, what to do after soaking etc.
Enjoy!
Time stamps:
2.35: willow types for weaving
6.43: 90 degree rule
7.43: Mellowing
10.29: Soaking tank options
11.57: Water temperature
13.39: Steaming
16.00: Keeping willow after soaking
17.18: Topping up after soaking when willow is going dry
18.43: Over soaking
19.29: Mold
21.46: Soaking timeline
Music by Benjamin Thompson, Lullaby
I am a full-time basket maker and artist living in Tipperary, Ireland with my family. Off-grid in the forest on a mountain.
My website: hannavanaelst.com/
FREE Online course BASKET MAKING FOR BEGINNERS:
www.hannavanaelst.com/online-...
My online program: BECOMING A BASKET MAKER. 3 courses
Course 1: Round work
Course 2: Oval work
Course 3: Square work
hannavanaelst.com/online-cour...
Facebook group:
This group is to discuss basket making techniques and materials for basket making, learn from each other, share projects and pictures and pose questions: Basket making with Hanna Van Aelst
Instagram: / hannavanaelst

Пікірлер: 85

@riannon75 Жыл бұрын

In a world of maximizing profit off your hobbies and artistic skill, Thank YOU for giving this for free 😊😊 ive always wanted to weave but I've never seen Anything so comprehensive!

@stevensmallwood1477 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kindness and extensive teaching about willow. Been loving your videos. Thank you so much.

@GrizzlyGroundswell 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, what a treasure trove of information! Your my hero! soaking was so intimidating, but you broke it down so that now I am excited to get enough willow grown to get to this process. I finally figured out how to grow my willow successfully! I am going to keep expanding my willow beds but I may actually have enough for a few small projects possibly. Its all very exciting but taking years here to get there, but we are getting there slowly. Thanks for all the great insight, inspiration and encouragement.

@keithlightminder3005 5 ай бұрын

So much better than plastic dollar store containers, ironically it will have longer service life too. I love the colour shifts you put in your work!

@claudiathisner3393 2 жыл бұрын

You have such a generous spirit. Thank you for sharing all this wealth with the world. God bless you always.

@tinadonnelly8396 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hanna, learned loads. Love the splish, splosh splashing at the beginning of the video. Away to find a neighbour with an old canoe!

@sueluck3540 6 ай бұрын

Hannah, thank you so much. Such useful information.x

@calan83 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate your videos so much Hanna - thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! I just started weaving about a month ago and I really got the bug, it's such a lovely thing to do/practice. Sending love from Canada!

@HannaVanAelst Жыл бұрын

Oh thank you Catherine, that is so lovely to hear!

@bertgillespie2618 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this great information!

@TheVspankster 4 ай бұрын

thank yoou so much for all the info you provided. id be lost without you

@josemanuelgonzalezgarcia9770 2 жыл бұрын

Muchas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos, resultan muy educativos. Soy de Asturias (North Spain) y desgraciadamente aquí se han perdido este tipo de actividades que eran habituales en nuestro entorno rural hace apenas una generación. Me acercaré a la orilla de nuestro río y cortaré unas ramas de sauce, aquí las llamamos "blimas", para poner en práctica tus enseñanzas. ¡Mucha salud!.

@mariehebecomerford2753 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this comprehensive introduction. Made me keen to begin experimenting!

@carolvandale5597 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Finally I get what to do with my willow

@marybennett-te1ni Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much love watching x

@didocapper9965 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video Hanna, You answered all my recent ponderings on soaking my willow! Much love

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Delighted to hear that.

@Warhammerag1 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Just the information I needed. You do such a great job.

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Nodeoergosum 2 жыл бұрын

good to have you back.

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Oh how lovely!

@annanelson6830 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I appreciate the discussion and detail. I will watch several times, I am sure💫

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@debla58 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Hanna, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with everyone - really appreciate your help great suggestions for types of containers to use to soak the willow. I've been soaking it in the bath but family get a bit fed up with me as it has to be taken out so they can have a bath 🤣 Thank you again 🥰

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! Ha ha I have been there too!

@martas-flechtwerk 2 жыл бұрын

Hallo Hanna, I wached this Video twice or more and I am steel learning! You are a realy treasure of knowledge!❤Thanks!

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Great to hear Martha, thanks! Much love to you xxx

@tiffanyrichard161 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, very much appreciated and extremely helpful!

@HannaVanAelst Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@evelynrope7032 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing the info. I live in Arizona. Super dry here. So I soaked my willows with water. Hopefully I have longer lasting willows. And more pliable

@annewaller1 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic - thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure Anne!

@FishboyHolli 3 жыл бұрын

Great video hannah, thankyou 😊👌🌿🌳

@HannaVanAelst 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@rickkeating-fedders7614 2 жыл бұрын

Very Helpful. Thank you very much.

@untamedfeast Жыл бұрын

Wonderful info on your videos, thank you

@claudialawrance9840 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! This was very informative.

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@deborahdanhauer8525 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I learned a lot!🤗🐝❤️

@HannaVanAelst 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad!

@SweetLife529 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Hanna! 😘

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@vocealui6168 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome

@user-tm6rk1mi1j 2 жыл бұрын

Привет! Очень благодарна за видео! Это очень важные уроки и опыт. Рада, что вы записали много видео. Спасибо!

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Happy you are here!

@michaelflynn6178 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very helpful

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped

@carolewarner101 3 жыл бұрын

Such valuable information! Since hot water can change the color of the willow, I'm assuming that steaming will as well? If so, does it do so even more than just hot water? How does hot change the color...make it more dull in color? Or more vibrant like cooking broccoli turning it a darker green? Or what? Another question: We just bought some land (finally!) and are going to plant some different types of willow in the wetter areas. The problem is, we have loads of dear and elk out there, not to mention bunnies. I'm thinking that they will come eat the bark and ruin the crop? Do I need to find a way to protect it from wildlife by fencing it out or something, or is some damage/loss just part of the deal and we need to plant extra accordingly? I'm learning so much from you about using willow. I really appreciate you and all that you're sharing!

@HannaVanAelst 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Carole, you're so welcome! Yes steaming would change the colour even more. Mostly making the bark darker in colour. So I would never steam my green, yellow, red willow to preserve the colour. It can make some willow a lovely chocolatey brown though which can be beautiful too! Deer, elk and rabbits all eat willow. You will have to see how hungry for willow they are depending on the availability of wild willow around. We tried without fences and in the end had to fence the willow patch. But I know in other countries where no fence is needed. You will have to try and see! Much love

@zixeiyun786 2 жыл бұрын

More please 🥺

@gmwani4716 3 жыл бұрын

Show how can u splite a willow stick for use of basket.

@Silent.Viking Жыл бұрын

Amazing video, thank you! I wonder if it is fine (note: fine, not ideal) to use willow if it does not break when bending it to 90 degrees, but does break when bending it more than 90 degrees-100, 110 degrees for instance.

@normast.germain8086 2 жыл бұрын

Norma St. Germain Thanks for that very informative talk! I have found that preparing the willow for weaving is the hardest part of learning to make willow baskets. My question is - can you keep willow from molding and/or drying out by freezing it (wrapped in sheets) . I want to weave more in the summer when it gets hot. In winter I leave it outside when it is very cold (Vermont USA) and it keeps very well. Could I put it in a freezer in the summer to keep it usable longer?

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Yes absolutely! That one thing I did not get into. Freezing is the best way to keep willow once soaked. Just take out and leave to thaw for an hour or so before weaving. And you can refreeze again after.

@margaretbyrne707 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Hannah, thank you so much for your video. My husband is learning and has tried steaming in a number of ways. He is currently using a sewer pipe. The time you suggest of a number of hours - is this the total time or is it per foot. He doesnt seem to get it to a pliable 90 degrees bend. He is using brown willow. Thank you. Margaret

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Margaret. Did he soak before steaming? steaming dry rods does not work. So soak first for a day per foot. Then steam for an hour or so depending on thickness. Hope this helps?

@mhdemia Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for your videos. I would like to ask if you know, if I can use for baskets chaste tree instead of willow using the same procedure?

@HannaVanAelst Жыл бұрын

I don't know, I have no experience using it. I would say try it out, you have nothing to lose only to gain experience and knowledge.

@emilietweardy31 Жыл бұрын

How important is water quality? I could pond soak, but my pond is a little stagnant during certain times of the year. It's not muddy, but not the cleanest water. What do you think?

@Spatzl73Photographer 3 жыл бұрын

amazing artist and technical expert. Have reblogged via Sustainable Geoscience

@suzannerouleau6127 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Hanna. About steaming, what does it look like? How do you do that? Could we see? I can't figure it.

@HannaVanAelst 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Suzanne I made a video about syeami g my willow a while back you can look at that to see my set up. But I might make another longer one soon with more info.

@HannaVanAelst 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Suzanne I made a video about syeami g my willow a while back you can look at that to see my set up. But I might make another longer one soon with more info.

@suzannerouleau6127 3 жыл бұрын

@@HannaVanAelst ok. Thank you Hanna. I will look for it. I thought I knew all your vidéo😍. Where could I find it?

@OrchardcottagefarmCo 10 ай бұрын

How long does dry willow keep after harvested?

@CC-vl8ix Жыл бұрын

Can you make a basket base ahead of time? In other words, is it ok to make a basket with a base that was made previously and gone dry?

@HannaVanAelst Жыл бұрын

Yes sure, i do that all the time.

@jakkiweaden6976 2 жыл бұрын

Just wanted to ask about soaking, then steaming. E.g brown willow. Would the 3hr steaming, follow on from the '1day, per foot' soak? I have steamed bundles for 30mins after, (as a top up). I prob soak a 1/3 the quantity i saw in the video. 3 hrs sounds quite a long time. Just interested to know the willows steaming limits!

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Jakki, Yes I steam after soaking willow the usual time. You can slightly under soak, and then steam. And yes steaming to 'top up' is a great method I have also used. What I try to avoid though is steaming more then once. The skin will get soft and damage easily. But my 3 hour steaming is in a large box. If you only have a small quantity in a smaller space (a tube or wrapped in plastic) half an hour might do fine.

@jakkiweaden6976 2 жыл бұрын

@@HannaVanAelst Thanks!

@thestorygirl2818 2 жыл бұрын

Wow this is such a cool and informative video! I recently became interested in Willow weaving thanks to a lovely fiction book I read. In the Pearl thief by Elizabeth Wein one of the characters is a Tinker and weaves and sells willow baskets. My searches brought me to your channel. One day I hope to try basket weaving.. I love wicker baskets and dislike our constant reliance on plastic and how it continues to break and is so cheaply made. Thanks for a great channel! Question: Is there any willow that you can't weave with? I might practice with some green willow near my house but I live in Canada so it is quite a different climate than Ireland. :) Cheers!

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, most willow will work. There is some that will snap easily though. To find out which one it is take a one year old skinny branch fresh and wrap it around your finger or wrist. It should not snap. If it does move on. And there is no harm in trying and experimenting!

@thestorygirl2818 2 жыл бұрын

@@HannaVanAelst Thank you! :)

@judyvance1556 2 жыл бұрын

When soaking, how do you prevent sprouting?

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

Willow is fully dried out before soaking, so it can shrink. this means it is dead and can't sprout.

@gerardahern7742 Жыл бұрын

Would bog water be good for stocking Wellows

@HannaVanAelst Жыл бұрын

I have not tried it, don't see why not.

@sunitadwarka347 4 ай бұрын

Have you tried flower pot method, When we bring flower, we keep base of flower in vertical position inside water, keep base in standing position upto 10 cm.and it remain fresh for two three days. You can keep for fifteenth days in vertical position. Try it ,thanks for this vedio. Jay bharat.

@sunitadwarka347 4 ай бұрын

It will remain fresh. Jay bharat.

@sunitadwarka347 4 ай бұрын

You keep changing water, it can remain for months. Changing water keep it fresh. Jay bharat.

@sunitadwarka347 4 ай бұрын

I use this method to keep my herb stick fresh when I am not using it. Jay bharat.

@virgosoulartz Ай бұрын

um im pretty sure i hear backgroud music>>

@claykelsey7871 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Hanna, it is always inspiring to listen to you. I believe you saved the most important lesson for last: we need to learn to listen to the willow, eh? Again, thank you.

@HannaVanAelst 2 жыл бұрын

So true!