Basketweaving

On Friday 30th September, Upper Primary and Secondary spent the day participating in a basketweaving project run by St Andrews University in co-operation with the Shetland Museum and two local weavers. Members of the community also popped in during the day, to share their skill or their memories. We learnt how important baskets were before cheap plastic bags or containers became available, and we all learnt how to weave using local materials (floss or straw) or found materials (discarded ropes and nets).

Woven Communities is a project coordinated by the University of St Andrews working with the Scottish Basketmakers Circle and Museums across Scotland to learn more about Scottish basketry and its use in daily life. In Shetland, we are part of an intergenerational project, working with local basketmakers Ewan Balfour and Lois Walpole to see how traditional basketry and rope-making skills can inspire future designs working with heritage organisations and local schools.