Willow: A Guide To Growing And Harvesting - 20 Woven Projects by Jenny Crisp - Non Fiction - Hardback

Title:
Willow: A Guide to Growing and Harvesting - Plus 20 Beautiful Woven Projects

Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781911127710

Overview:
Willow: A Guide to Growing and Harvesting - Plus 20 Beautiful Woven Projects is a richly textured handbook by Jenny Crisp that invites readers to treat willow as both a garden crop and a medium for contemporary weaving. The 144-page hardcover distills decades of practice into approachable steps, pairing horticultural guidance with craft tutorials. With lush, inviting photography by Sarah Weal, the book captures the tactile beauty of natural materials—from pale willow shoots to the warm patina of finished pieces. Crisp, a renowned basket maker with more than thirty years of experience, explains how to grow and harvest willow with sustainability in mind, select varieties suited to your climate, and prep the material for weaving before turning it into 20 projects. The projects range from practical home objects to decorative pieces, all designed to be achievable with simple hand tools. This is not merely a project book; it’s a gateway to slow-making that honors the plant-to-object cycle, fostering patience, mindfulness, and a hands-on sense of achievement. Ideal for gardeners, designers, and craft enthusiasts alike, Willow offers a clear path from seed to finished object and a fresh, modern aesthetic for natural interiors.

What You’ll Discover Inside:
Inside, you’ll find a practical blueprint for growing, harvesting, and preparing willow, tailored to beginners and experienced makers alike. The book opens with the essentials of willow cultivation—soil types, watering, pest management, and season-by-season care—followed by guidance on selecting varieties best suited to your climate and project goals. Jenny Crisp then walks you through harvesting timing, cutting techniques, and processing methods to maximize pliability and strength. The heart of the volume is the 20 weaving projects, each accompanied by a clear materials list, step-by-step instructions, and photographs that illuminate form and technique. Projects span a spectrum from compact bowls and baskets to larger wall pieces and functional home objects, all designed to adapt to your space and skill level. The photography emphasizes texture, color shifts, and the beauty of natural materials, while safety notes and tool suggestions keep the maker’s journey enjoyable and approachable. This section empowers you to translate garden-grown material into tangible, lasting pieces that celebrate craft and sustainability.

Who It’s For:
Whether you’re a beginner curious about natural materials or a seasoned basket maker seeking fresh, contemporary project ideas, this book speaks to you. It’s ideal for gardeners who want to extend the life of their willow crops, DIY enthusiasts seeking tactile, hands-on projects, and interior designers looking for organic textures to elevate spaces. The approachable tone supports hobbyists working at home, in community workshops, or school craft sessions, and it makes a thoughtful gift for graduates of craft programs, garden clubs, or anyone who appreciates sustainable, handmade objects. The book also suits book clubs and craft groups that enjoy project-driven reading, pairing practical how-tos with creative inspiration and clearly defined, achievable outcomes.

Key Highlights:

• Hardcover format with 144 pages of full-color photography
• 20 step-by-step willow weaving projects for home and garden
• Comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting, and prepping willow
• Clear materials lists and beginner-friendly techniques
• Photography by Sarah Weal that showcases texture and materiality
• Author background drawing on 30+ years of basket-making expertise
• Contemporary design sensibility for natural interiors

About the Author:
Jenny Crisp is a master basket maker and willow grower with more than thirty years of experience. She grows the willow she uses to craft baskets that are sold directly to the public. Her journey began at Hereford College of Arts, followed by a degree in Woven Textiles at West Surrey College of Art & Design. In 1985, she completed a one-year apprenticeship with renowned basket maker David Drew, sponsored by the Crafts Council, a stepping stone to her influential career. Crisp’s work blends traditional technique with forward-looking, contemporary forms, always emphasizing functionality for home and garden. She highlights the entire process—from cultivation to finished piece—and invites readers to experience the fulfillment that hands-on making can bring. Her clear, friendly teaching style makes complex techniques feel accessible to enthusiasts at every level.

Why You’ll Love This Book:
Willow is more than a how-to manual; it’s a source of inspiration for anyone who wants to connect with the land and translate that relationship into tangible objects. The pairing of practical growing guidance with weaving projects creates a unique, end-to-end experience—from seed to finished piece. The book’s modern aesthetic and thoughtful project selection empower you to create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your space and style. The careful progression—from simple starts to more ambitious builds—boosts confidence, while the lush photography helps you visualize texture, form, and scale. If you crave sustainable, hands-on crafts that blend garden wisdom with interior-ready design, this book delivers a satisfying, repeatable creative process you’ll return to again and again.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.