Apple-picking basket with Catalan base

Lene Rasmussen at Lakeshore Willows in Wainfleet, Ontario offered a Catalan base workshop in which we could choose the type of basket we wanted to create.  She carefully demonstrated each step, we then did it on our own baskets and yet each came out with unique baskets in the end.  I have an old orchard of apple trees so thought a basket to sling over my shoulder and rest on my hip when up on a ladder would be a perfect project.  The sad part about this basket is that the Catalan base is so beautiful yet is hidden deep down inside!  As this was my first workshop with Lene, I practised several different weaves on the sides and experimented with varieties from her own willow crops. I love Lene’s approach to teaching where she shares her own experiences in weaving baskets while adding alternate tips from other instructors she knows. As a true artist Lene encourages uniqueness in what and how we choose to weave.

Catalan base of apple-picking basket