One of my and Carter's favorite things is finding new projects to work on together. We've done wood carving, designed Christmas ornaments, painted with Bob Ross, and lately we've gotten into pine needle basket weaving! How did we get into this unlikely hobby? We came across the tutorial on YouTube and were immediately intrigued. This

Here’s a DIY project that’s creative and relaxing—make your own pine needle basket.

Pine Needle Basket made by Melissa Abbott with Glycerin Preserved Needles MY IMAGINATION IS STIRRED BY GROVES OF PINE TREES, THE LIGHT, THE SMELL, AND THE MAJESTY OF PINES DELIGHTS AND UPLIFTS! This Pine Needle & Tennerife Mattapoisett Purse created in 1970’s by Helen Gastar became my inspiration to learn Pine Needle Basketry. Helen Gastar's daughter, Geri, was my friend and I visited their home and saw Helen making this basket many years ago. It always stayed with me and I am sure you can see why. Helen Gastar's Mattapoisett Basket I have always loved Pine Trees especially the scent at Christmas Time when Evergreen Trees are brought into the home. There is a certain something, a mysterious wonder the scent conjures up. Several years ago, I went to visit an old friend on Cape Cod. She lives on the edge of a Pine Woods and we walked our dogs amongst the lovely Pine Trees there. We remembered her mother who had made Pine Needle Baskets and she even had inherited a beautiful basket her mother had made and showed it to me. I was mesmorized by it. In fact I had visited her many years before in Mattapoisett, MA when she was making it. The basket was as hard as wood but light as a feather. This is where the intrigue of the Pine Needle Basket started for me and I eventually learned techniques to make my own baskets. Depending on where you live, Long Leaf Pine Needles may be growing near your home. This tree is available throughout the southern United States from Virginia to Gulf of Mexico. The botanical name is Pinus Palustris. In other parts of North America there are other versions of a long leaf pine needle. Many people use Tory Pine, Canary Island, and Guatamalan varieties with success. If you are not able to find them locally you can buy them on the internet from basket suppliers, Etsy sellers, and Ebay. When I first made a Pine Needle Basket, I bought a lb. of Tory Needles on Ebay and they worked wonderfully. After my initial trials, I started collecting needles locally and in my travels. At first, I just picked up any old pine needle I found on the ground. I would see a copse of trees by a roadside, pull over, and scoop up what I could under the trees. I soon discovered that a lot of these needles had been laying around for a long time, perhaps even years. Not only were they very dirty, they also had mildew, and even bugs. I decided that I only wanted the freshest needles and I started looking in parks and parking lots where the lawn was often mowed under the trees. A Bundle of Needles picked up individually off the ground with discrimination. I also discovered that needles fell off the trees after wind storms and if had been particularly windy, it was a good time to look for needles. I found a large park with many Long Leaf Pine Trees on the perimeter. I looked for Pine cones on the ground and where there are pine cones, there are usually pine needles. The freshest needles have a nice new look about them. I started looking for these type of needles exclusively and it made a different using this type of discrimination in my selections. I dry my needles on Newspapers The Best time to gather needles is in the Fall You can, though, gather them anytime of year green and allow them to cure outside in the sun for at least two weeks until they turn a golden brown. You can collect boughs and hang them from a line or fence so as not to touch the ground. The color of the needles can range from a light tan to a deep walnut color. If you live in the Northern Climates where the pine needles are shorter you can use them with success but you will have to use lots of them. After you find your Pine Needles, there are a few things you can do to improve and preserve them. You can put them in the sink and pour boiling hot water over them and a squirt of Dawn Dishwashing liquid. This kills any bugs and washes off any dirt of residual grime from the ground or environment. Wash in Plenty of Hot Water and Dawn when you get home If you want to dye them, you can use RIT Dye at this point too and many interesting colors can be used. Another way to preserve them is to give them a Glycerin Bath which renders them very flexible and preserves them well. I know some people add the RITT Dye to the Glycerin Bath too. Recipe for Glycerin Bake Ingredients Needed: 1 16 oz. Pure Vegetable Glycerine 2+ cups of water Roasting Pan (Disposable Aluminum Pans work great) Pour 2 cups glycerin over pine needles then add 2 cups+ of water, enough to cover your bundle of pine needles with liquid. Swish things around by turning the pine needles over a few times with tongs. Place pan in preheated 225 degree oven Roast pine needles in the oven making sure glycerin and water mixture doesn't deplete, turn and check often, add more water if necessary. Carefully turn needles with tongs after 1 hour and continue in this fashion for 2-3 hours (some people cook them for even longer, it depends on the color you want. Then turn off oven and let sit in oven overnight. After several hours rinse pine needles really well in the sink with plenty of hot freshwater. Do not throw away the glycerin and water mixture as this can be reused many times. The more you use it the darker and richer the color becomes. I just pour the remaining mix in mason jars and refrigerate until next use. An Aluminum Pan, Tongs, Measuring Cup, Water, and Glycerin are all you need Needles Baked in Glycerin and then Washed in Hot water, Drying Recently Completed Pine Needle Basket by Melissa Abbott without Glycerin Needles Happy Basket Making, Melissa Abbott Merritt Island, FL February 2014 \

44 p., 23 cm

at Saturday Market, June 21, 2014

One of our recent favorite finds. Layer in nature with the Maya Pine Needle Coasters. Made from intricately stitched pine needles and raffia, the coasters are handmade by Mayan women in Guatemala. Fair trade. Set of 4.   Explore the Maya Pine Needle Collection.    Origin: Guatemala Manufacturing: Handcrafted Material: Sustainably Sourced Pine needles, Raffia Condition: Excellent Dimensions: 4.00" Dia x 0.25" H Recommended hand wash only

This stunning basket is designed and handcrafted by Mayan women in a fair trade cooperative in Guatemala.   With a completely natural look, it is made of with pine needles bound together in an intricate design executed in raffia.  Sturdy and extremely well-made, it can be used to hold fruit, mail, etc - or better yet, leave it empty to show off the gorgeous interior.  It will bring the fresh smell of natural grasses into your home. Pine needles and raffia (second photo shows bottom of basket). Approximately 10" x 8" wide at top opening;  6 3/4" x 4 1/2"wide base; 3 1/4"H  ABOUT THE ARTISANS The women who handcraft our pine needle baskets go out together, often to quite distant places, to collect the longest pine needles they can find and then stitch them together with raffia and native grasses. Working with fair trade, the women earn regular income, allowing them to feed their families, send their children to school and harbor hopes for a better future.

Pine Needle Basket made by Melissa Abbott with Glycerin Preserved Needles MY IMAGINATION IS STIRRED BY GROVES OF PINE TREES, THE LIGHT...

Pine Needle Baskets for Fun &...Isn't Fun Enough?: Pine needle basketry is a craft that is either relaxing or stress-making, depending on how you do it. With materials provided by Mother Nature, you can create beautiful projects that can enhance your décor, become cherished gifts, or make an interes…

One of our recent favorite finds. Layer in nature with the Maya Pine Needle Basket. Made from intricately stitched pine needles and light and dark raffia, the basket is handmade by Mayan women in Guatemala. The basket is the perfect centerpiece, bread or fruit bowl.    Explore the Maya Pine Needle Collection.     Origin: Guatemala Manufacturing: Handcrafted Material: Sustainably Sourced Pine needles, Raffia Condition: Excellent Dimensions: 10.00" W x 3.00 "H Recommended hand wash only

Homemade Pine Needle Baskets

One of my and Carter's favorite things is finding new projects to work on together. We've done wood carving, designed Christmas ornaments, painted with Bob Ross, and lately we've gotten into pine needle basket weaving! How did we get into this unlikely hobby? We came across the tutorial on YouTube and were immediately intrigued. This

Chir Pine, cotton, Shellac

Pine Needle Basket made by Melissa Abbott with Glycerin Preserved Needles MY IMAGINATION IS STIRRED BY GROVES OF PINE TREES, THE LIGHT, THE SMELL, AND THE MAJESTY OF PINES DELIGHTS AND UPLIFTS! This Pine Needle & Tennerife Mattapoisett Purse created in 1970’s by Helen Gastar became my inspiration to learn Pine Needle Basketry. Helen Gastar's daughter, Geri, was my friend and I visited their home and saw Helen making this basket many years ago. It always stayed with me and I am sure you can see why. Helen Gastar's Mattapoisett Basket I have always loved Pine Trees especially the scent at Christmas Time when Evergreen Trees are brought into the home. There is a certain something, a mysterious wonder the scent conjures up. Several years ago, I went to visit an old friend on Cape Cod. She lives on the edge of a Pine Woods and we walked our dogs amongst the lovely Pine Trees there. We remembered her mother who had made Pine Needle Baskets and she even had inherited a beautiful basket her mother had made and showed it to me. I was mesmorized by it. In fact I had visited her many years before in Mattapoisett, MA when she was making it. The basket was as hard as wood but light as a feather. This is where the intrigue of the Pine Needle Basket started for me and I eventually learned techniques to make my own baskets. Depending on where you live, Long Leaf Pine Needles may be growing near your home. This tree is available throughout the southern United States from Virginia to Gulf of Mexico. The botanical name is Pinus Palustris. In other parts of North America there are other versions of a long leaf pine needle. Many people use Tory Pine, Canary Island, and Guatamalan varieties with success. If you are not able to find them locally you can buy them on the internet from basket suppliers, Etsy sellers, and Ebay. When I first made a Pine Needle Basket, I bought a lb. of Tory Needles on Ebay and they worked wonderfully. After my initial trials, I started collecting needles locally and in my travels. At first, I just picked up any old pine needle I found on the ground. I would see a copse of trees by a roadside, pull over, and scoop up what I could under the trees. I soon discovered that a lot of these needles had been laying around for a long time, perhaps even years. Not only were they very dirty, they also had mildew, and even bugs. I decided that I only wanted the freshest needles and I started looking in parks and parking lots where the lawn was often mowed under the trees. A Bundle of Needles picked up individually off the ground with discrimination. I also discovered that needles fell off the trees after wind storms and if had been particularly windy, it was a good time to look for needles. I found a large park with many Long Leaf Pine Trees on the perimeter. I looked for Pine cones on the ground and where there are pine cones, there are usually pine needles. The freshest needles have a nice new look about them. I started looking for these type of needles exclusively and it made a different using this type of discrimination in my selections. I dry my needles on Newspapers The Best time to gather needles is in the Fall You can, though, gather them anytime of year green and allow them to cure outside in the sun for at least two weeks until they turn a golden brown. You can collect boughs and hang them from a line or fence so as not to touch the ground. The color of the needles can range from a light tan to a deep walnut color. If you live in the Northern Climates where the pine needles are shorter you can use them with success but you will have to use lots of them. After you find your Pine Needles, there are a few things you can do to improve and preserve them. You can put them in the sink and pour boiling hot water over them and a squirt of Dawn Dishwashing liquid. This kills any bugs and washes off any dirt of residual grime from the ground or environment. Wash in Plenty of Hot Water and Dawn when you get home If you want to dye them, you can use RIT Dye at this point too and many interesting colors can be used. Another way to preserve them is to give them a Glycerin Bath which renders them very flexible and preserves them well. I know some people add the RITT Dye to the Glycerin Bath too. Recipe for Glycerin Bake Ingredients Needed: 1 16 oz. Pure Vegetable Glycerine 2+ cups of water Roasting Pan (Disposable Aluminum Pans work great) Pour 2 cups glycerin over pine needles then add 2 cups+ of water, enough to cover your bundle of pine needles with liquid. Swish things around by turning the pine needles over a few times with tongs. Place pan in preheated 225 degree oven Roast pine needles in the oven making sure glycerin and water mixture doesn't deplete, turn and check often, add more water if necessary. Carefully turn needles with tongs after 1 hour and continue in this fashion for 2-3 hours (some people cook them for even longer, it depends on the color you want. Then turn off oven and let sit in oven overnight. After several hours rinse pine needles really well in the sink with plenty of hot freshwater. Do not throw away the glycerin and water mixture as this can be reused many times. The more you use it the darker and richer the color becomes. I just pour the remaining mix in mason jars and refrigerate until next use. An Aluminum Pan, Tongs, Measuring Cup, Water, and Glycerin are all you need Needles Baked in Glycerin and then Washed in Hot water, Drying Recently Completed Pine Needle Basket by Melissa Abbott without Glycerin Needles Happy Basket Making, Melissa Abbott Merritt Island, FL February 2014 \

“Stella” Created with a mixture of teal and green dyed pine needles. Stitching with colors teal, khaki, peach, and silver. Very sturdy. This basket is definitely a statement piece! Would also be a special one-of-a-kind gift for a loved one. Thanks for visiting my shop! Please message me with any questions. **Feel free to follow me on Instagram @MarcoFolio

One of our recent favorite finds. Layer in nature with the Maya Pine Needle Basket. Made from intricately stitched pine needles and light and dark raffia, the basket is handmade by Mayan women in Guatemala. The basket is the perfect centerpiece, bread or fruit bowl.    Explore the Maya Pine Needle Collection.     Origin: Guatemala Manufacturing: Handcrafted Material: Sustainably Sourced Pine needles, Raffia Condition: Excellent Dimensions: 10.00" W x 3.00 "H Recommended hand wash only

Making coiled pine needle baskets is an essential survival skill as well as an art form. Here are 10 tips to make your baskets better.

BASKET WEAVING KIT - PINE NEEDLE BASKET  This is a fun way to introduce the traditional craft of basket weaving to children. This DIY craft kit teaches the coiling method of basket making. It’s a beginner-level basket project and takes an average of 2 hours or less to create a small 2 1/2”. Once complete, your child will know basic weaving skills and can make more baskets of any size with natural materials they can find all around them. Additionally, they will have their own hand-woven basket made by themselves for their trinkets! They will be so proud of their accomplishment. It’s always fun to see that pride and joy in their faces.  BASKET WEAVING KIT INCLUDES  Everything Needed for one mini basket including: Pine Needles Twine Twigs Tapestry Needle Color photo instructions  DETAILS Traditional Craft Kits Beginner Basket Weaving Age: 8+, adult participation recommended when getting started  Kit makes one mini coiled basket     ⚠️ WARNING: FUNCTIONAL SHARP POINT — This kit contains a sharp, pointed needle. Adult supervision recommended at all times for children under age 10 yrs. ⚠️ WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD — Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

From a single dandelion or bindweed, Suzie Grieve weaves minuscule baskets, pouches, and other wearables that are smaller than the tip of her finger. The braided vessels are the result of a lengthy, holistic process that extends from foraging the wild fibers to twisting the processed cords into durable little containers. Whether striped, checkered, or coiled in rows, each basket is a testament to Grieve’s patience and ability to adapt a traditional craft into an unusually tiny form. More

Pyrography Base pine needle baskets

Florida Long Leaf Pine Trees Depending on where you live, Long Leaf Pine Needles may be growing near your home. This tree is available throughout the southern United States from Virginia to Gulf of Mexico. The botanical name is Pinus Palustris. In other parts of North America there are other versions of a long leaf pine needle. Many people use Tory Pine, Canary Island, and Guatamalan varieties with success. If you are not able to find them locally you can buy them on the internet from basket suppliers, Etsy sellers, and Ebay. When I first made a Pine Needle Basket, I bought a lb. of Tory Needles on Ebay and they worked wonderfully. The start of my very first Pine Needle Basket Winter 2011 My first basket was my Quan Yin Basket utilizing a soapstone relief of the Chinese Goddess Quan Yin. I used Tibetan Bone Beads from an antique Tibetan Rosary I had collected years ago. The needles I purchased on Ebay worked well but were expensive. I wasn't going to be able to make very many baskets this way. After my initial trials, I went for a trip to Florida last winter and I noticed all the long leaf Pine Trees. I started collecting needles locally, on Merritt Island. At first, I just picked up any old pine needle I found on the ground by roadsides. This is a few minutes of collecting done after a Wind Storm - Merritt Island, FL 2012 I would see a copse of trees by a roadside, pull over, and scoop up what I could under the trees. I soon discovered that a lot of these needles had been laying around for a long time, perhaps even years. Not only were they very dirty, they also had mildew, and even bugs. I decided that I only wanted the freshest needles and I started looking in parks and parking lots where the lawn was often mowed under the trees. I also discovered that needles fell off the trees after wind storms and if had been particularly windy, it was a good time to look for needles. I found a large park with many Long Leaf Pine Trees on the perimeter. I looked for Pine cones on the ground and where there are pine cones, there are usually pine needles. The freshest needles have a nice new look about them. Look for the lighter fresher looking Needles near Pine Cones in Parks where the grass gets mowed. I started looking for these type of needles exclusively and it made a different using this type of discrimination in my selections. The Best time to gather needles is in the Fall You can, though, gather them anytime of year green and allow them to cure outside in the sun for at least two weeks until they turn a golden brown. You can collect boughs and hang them from a line or fence so as not to touch the ground. Florida Long Leaf Pine Needles collected on Merritt Island, FL 2012 The color of the needles can range from a light tan to a deep walnut color. My first Basket - Quan Yin, done with Tory Pine Needles purchased on Ebay If you live in the Northern Climates where the pine needles are shorter you can use them with success but you will have to use lots of them. I recently collected some short pine needles in Massachusetts which are short and very fine. I plan on experimenting and making a basket with them soon. I will keep you updated on the progress using the shorter needles but I do believe I will be able to use them, I will just be feeding my bundle more often.

Blog of Susan Elliott where she shares her life through her needlework and photography.

Learn how to make your own unique and one-of-a-kind pine needle basket! With this step-by-step guide, you'll be crafting beautiful and intricate designs that will impress your family and friends. Unlock the magical world of basket weaving and discover the joy of creating something special out of nature's bounty!

From a single dandelion or bindweed, Suzie Grieve weaves minuscule baskets, pouches, and other wearables that are smaller than the tip of her finger. The braided vessels are the result of a lengthy, holistic process that extends from foraging the wild fibers to twisting the processed cords into durable little containers. Whether striped, checkered, or coiled in rows, each basket is a testament to Grieve’s patience and ability to adapt a traditional craft into an unusually tiny form. More

With pine needles found in the forest, some thick waxed thread, needles, pliers, a paper straw, and lots of patience and practice, Marina Piro from the

Pine Needle Basket made by Melissa Abbott with Glycerin Preserved Needles MY IMAGINATION IS STIRRED BY GROVES OF PINE TREES, THE LIGHT, THE SMELL, AND THE MAJESTY OF PINES DELIGHTS AND UPLIFTS! This Pine Needle & Tennerife Mattapoisett Purse created in 1970’s by Helen Gastar became my inspiration to learn Pine Needle Basketry. Helen Gastar's daughter, Geri, was my friend and I visited their home and saw Helen making this basket many years ago. It always stayed with me and I am sure you can see why. Helen Gastar's Mattapoisett Basket I have always loved Pine Trees especially the scent at Christmas Time when Evergreen Trees are brought into the home. There is a certain something, a mysterious wonder the scent conjures up. Several years ago, I went to visit an old friend on Cape Cod. She lives on the edge of a Pine Woods and we walked our dogs amongst the lovely Pine Trees there. We remembered her mother who had made Pine Needle Baskets and she even had inherited a beautiful basket her mother had made and showed it to me. I was mesmorized by it. In fact I had visited her many years before in Mattapoisett, MA when she was making it. The basket was as hard as wood but light as a feather. This is where the intrigue of the Pine Needle Basket started for me and I eventually learned techniques to make my own baskets. Depending on where you live, Long Leaf Pine Needles may be growing near your home. This tree is available throughout the southern United States from Virginia to Gulf of Mexico. The botanical name is Pinus Palustris. In other parts of North America there are other versions of a long leaf pine needle. Many people use Tory Pine, Canary Island, and Guatamalan varieties with success. If you are not able to find them locally you can buy them on the internet from basket suppliers, Etsy sellers, and Ebay. When I first made a Pine Needle Basket, I bought a lb. of Tory Needles on Ebay and they worked wonderfully. After my initial trials, I started collecting needles locally and in my travels. At first, I just picked up any old pine needle I found on the ground. I would see a copse of trees by a roadside, pull over, and scoop up what I could under the trees. I soon discovered that a lot of these needles had been laying around for a long time, perhaps even years. Not only were they very dirty, they also had mildew, and even bugs. I decided that I only wanted the freshest needles and I started looking in parks and parking lots where the lawn was often mowed under the trees. A Bundle of Needles picked up individually off the ground with discrimination. I also discovered that needles fell off the trees after wind storms and if had been particularly windy, it was a good time to look for needles. I found a large park with many Long Leaf Pine Trees on the perimeter. I looked for Pine cones on the ground and where there are pine cones, there are usually pine needles. The freshest needles have a nice new look about them. I started looking for these type of needles exclusively and it made a different using this type of discrimination in my selections. I dry my needles on Newspapers The Best time to gather needles is in the Fall You can, though, gather them anytime of year green and allow them to cure outside in the sun for at least two weeks until they turn a golden brown. You can collect boughs and hang them from a line or fence so as not to touch the ground. The color of the needles can range from a light tan to a deep walnut color. If you live in the Northern Climates where the pine needles are shorter you can use them with success but you will have to use lots of them. After you find your Pine Needles, there are a few things you can do to improve and preserve them. You can put them in the sink and pour boiling hot water over them and a squirt of Dawn Dishwashing liquid. This kills any bugs and washes off any dirt of residual grime from the ground or environment. Wash in Plenty of Hot Water and Dawn when you get home If you want to dye them, you can use RIT Dye at this point too and many interesting colors can be used. Another way to preserve them is to give them a Glycerin Bath which renders them very flexible and preserves them well. I know some people add the RITT Dye to the Glycerin Bath too. Recipe for Glycerin Bake Ingredients Needed: 1 16 oz. Pure Vegetable Glycerine 2+ cups of water Roasting Pan (Disposable Aluminum Pans work great) Pour 2 cups glycerin over pine needles then add 2 cups+ of water, enough to cover your bundle of pine needles with liquid. Swish things around by turning the pine needles over a few times with tongs. Place pan in preheated 225 degree oven Roast pine needles in the oven making sure glycerin and water mixture doesn't deplete, turn and check often, add more water if necessary. Carefully turn needles with tongs after 1 hour and continue in this fashion for 2-3 hours (some people cook them for even longer, it depends on the color you want. Then turn off oven and let sit in oven overnight. After several hours rinse pine needles really well in the sink with plenty of hot freshwater. Do not throw away the glycerin and water mixture as this can be reused many times. The more you use it the darker and richer the color becomes. I just pour the remaining mix in mason jars and refrigerate until next use. An Aluminum Pan, Tongs, Measuring Cup, Water, and Glycerin are all you need Needles Baked in Glycerin and then Washed in Hot water, Drying Recently Completed Pine Needle Basket by Melissa Abbott without Glycerin Needles Happy Basket Making, Melissa Abbott Merritt Island, FL February 2014 \