Our fineweave sisal baskets, are unique baskets are made out of sisal which is homegrown by the basket weavers. The handrolled twine that woven with is extra, extra thin.
ABOUT THE LADIES
Weaving baskets is a tradition in Taita culture. The artisans of groups weaving fineweave baskets mostly live in the Taita hills.
This very fine weave is the most traditional Taita weaving, and the natural collection is dyed with old techniques from flowers and bark!! 100% natural AND 100% handmade…
Most groups meet every two weeks to weave baskets together, and continue weaving in the meantime at home, on the bus or whilst walking to their neighbours.
ABOUT THE BASKETS
These unique baskets are made out of extra thin sisal which is grown on farms belonging to the basket weavers. So this basket is 100% handmade, from start to finish! The leaves of the sisal plant are used to obtain a fibre which is rolled to twine, and then be woven to a basket.
The Taita ladies pick the sisal, decorticate it, dye the fibres themselves and then roll the twine on their lap. Making baskets is a very labour intensive art. The baskets come in a number of different colours and patterns, with each design entirely made up by these artistic Taita ladies!
Watch our beautiful short video on African basket weaving from Taita .
WHAT MAKES IT A FINEWEAVE BASKET?
With sisal twine rolled thinner than 2mm, a very tight density of knots per inch is achieved. The fineweave basket is lighter than its practical counterpart of the same size. Considerably more time goes into a fineweave basket! This is the traditional taita weave and a true work of art.
PHOTO GALLERY
Take a closer look at some fineweave baskets below. These are examples to show the wonderful variety of baskets made by the Taita ladies; no two are the same!
