How to make a basket: EP03 Stropping cane and by products

In this episode of ‘How to make a basket’, we’ll test to see if our bramble (blackberry) cane needs its bark removing. Much can depend on the time of year it was cut. We’ll also look at the kinds of by-products that come out of the processing of bramble (blackberry) cane and what we can use them for.
Buy Cræft: An enquiry into the origins and true meaning of traditional crafts (USA) wwnorton.com/books/9780393356571
Buy Cræft: How traditional crafts are about more than just making (UK) www.faber.co.uk/9780571324408...
‘How to make a basket’ is a chance to connect with the world of traditional and heritage crafts but also to see the kinds of things that you can do in your own back shed. The natural world provides a vast range of natural materials that, since primitive times, have been used to make many of the day-to-day objects that we surrounded ourselves with. Many people the world over still use natural materials and craft skills to make stuff and in Britain, up until the early twentieth century, many of these skills still resided amongst the rural community.
If you’ve enjoyed the BBC’s Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm and Wartime Farm, then hopefully you will enjoy my lockdown project: 'How to make a basket'. I am spending so much time in my shed at present, that I thought I might as well film it. So, follow me in this series as I go about showing you how to craft a traditional coil basket. On the way, we’ll look at the different kind of plants that you can use, the skills and techniques, the key tools, and I’ll throw in a few juicy historical facts.

[@HannaARTzink]

So much beauty in hand- made objects, so well presented.

[@benwilson1979]

I really liked the “ byproduct “ information. That little lamp puts out a lot of light!

[@BlehhItsTu]

So resourceful.

[@borninthewrongera6888]

that little firelighter sure is pretty cool

[@MelissaElsworth]

Looking forward to making the various fire starters for our fireplace, outdoor fire pit and maybe camping, fates willing.

[@maggscreations]

I would love to learn more about your 'makeshift stove'... is the top cone clay or metal? The base looks like a wood disc, but what's the little container on top of it? Ceramic? Do you worry about scorching? It looks delightful, and I love how the flame comes out in a sharp point, I'm just wondering which of my friends I should pester about helping me make one (the potter or or the friend with the machine shop). Did parts of it start life as an incense burner, perhaps? Am I obsessing too much over something that you just found at the discount store?

[@laurenkabasan8611]

No you are not!! i am obsessed with the cylinder that holds the fire! UGH i love it so much. i’m going to try and make something similar. so simple yet so perfect!

[@morrish.6784]

I bet either clay or metal would work. It's basically a chimney with oxygen enter from below the fire, I don't know what it's for, but at least it will make a cleaner burn.
Try search "TLUD stove", you should be able to find all the information you need.

[@panoreapan470]

can you use a knife to shave of the bark ?

[@ragnkja]

You could use the spine of the knife to scrape the bark, but there’s no need to use the edge of the blade.

[@maureenengland2512]

When is the most ideal time of year to harvest bramble cane?

[@michaelbriggs8940]

He mentioned harvesting the cane in the video in late winter/early spring. Growing too fast was an issue, iirc.

[@HannaARTzink]

This series is wonderfully slow and normal and fun.