Asymmetrical basket with Lene Rasmussen

Now that I’m counting this is my 7th time back to work with Lene at Lakeshore Willows. If your new to my blog, you’ll find many other posts about my travels to Canada and back. When I first started with willow basketry I was almost certain that I was never going to find classes that I could take that would be close to where I live. Thankfully I was dead wrong and since meeting Lene for the first time, my knowledge of willow basketry has blossomed thanks to her and all the many Danish basket weavers she has hosted at her farm in Wainfleet, Ontario.

This was my first time visiting in the winter. Lake Erie looked so foreign with the mountains of ice and snow that had washed up close to the shore. Thankfully the weather held out and we snuck back home early to make sure we didn’t get stranded in Canada because of high winds closing down the bridges.

This class was yet another one I decided to sneak in. My passport was within the 6 month renewal time but I crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t matter crossing in or back home. It wasn’t a big deal at all and as soon as I got home I put my passport renewal in right away. I’ll be traveling back up there this May for another class and some more bark stripping.

I know I always say this, but I was so happy to take this class. This particular style was taught to Lene by her friend Ane Lyngsgaard, who happens to be the guest teacher this may. Such a beautiful design and not one that you can figure out just by looking at the basket. There is a lot of different things going on here! And there can be many variations on this as well.

I decided to work with a zigzag weave on the sides because why would you not want to zigzag. It’s so much fun to do and the outcome is stunning. Lene was so lovely to dig into her personal stash of willow for me to get a few rods of acutifolia, which is that stunning matte black willow that people want to get their hands on.

The black just helped to set off the border and bring a nice sweeping effect up the sides to highlight the style of this basket. I have gotten numerous compliments on this basket, most saying it is the nicest one I have made to date.

I’m bad that I never take any written notes, but I do take lots of pictures, normally from start to finish.

I am very happy to add this basket to my knowledge base, now I just need to make another one to reinforce what I learned ;)

If you are reading this and don’t know Lene yet, look her up and sign up for some classes. Trust me!