Nature's Touch: Basketry by Hand from Pine Needles and Gourd

Basketry predates pottery and weaving in our history, dating back to 9000 BC. This comprehensive booklet provides background information, supply lists, and patterns to create baskets and jewelry from pine needles and baskets from gourds. Thanks to nature, each basket created with a gourd is unique, as no two gourds are ever the same. Pine needle baskets and jewelry also have their own uniqueness due to the color and size variations of the needles.Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned basketmaker or weaver looking to try new materials, you’ll enjoy transforming pine needles and gourds into beautiful works of art.

I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life. My husband, Ron, and I reside in Kent, Washington. We share our home with a little cocker spaniel named Betty Cocker and a big ol’ tomcat named Fat Chance. Even as a young girl, I enjoyed the outdoors. To me, you have to love the outdoors to be a basketmaker. When walking through the woods, we always come home with something in our pockets to add to a basket! I enjoy gathering just as much as designing and stitching a basket. Hours of time and love are entangled into each piece. Growing up, we were a “camping family.” One particular camping trip inspired me for life. A Native American lady was camped next to us, and I was amazed to see she was making baskets out of pine needles. She noticed I was watching with interest. She took me under her wing and taught me the lost art of Pine Needle Basketry. Little does she know the influence she had on my life. The rest is history… My baskets have won many awards, including the Grand Champion at the Puyallup Fair, in Puyallup, WA. I have shared the art of pine needle and gourd basketry with many of my students. I am also a member of the Northwest Basket Weavers Guild. 

          Happy Stitching,  

         Vicky Nickelson