Willow: A Guide to Growing and Harvesting by Jenny Crisp shows readers how to grow willow, harvest it and then prepare it for creating beautiful baskets. There are twenty projects included in the book with easy to understand instructions and step-by-step pictures. There is also information on how to acquire willow if you do not want to grow your own (or live in an area where it will not grow). The one downside is the list is geared towards crafters living in the United Kingdom. I like that the author included the history of basket weaving in the book. There is a chapter on basic techniques. This allows you to practice before beginning the projects. I was introduced to basket weaving in elementary school and have always to wanted to try my hand at it again. I like the diverse projects. There is something for everyone. I appreciated the detailed instructions with photos to show me how to accomplish the task. We also get a detailed list of tools needed along with a list of material plus measurements. Willow is a great guide that had me eager to explore basketmaking.

Beautiful, informative but ?? maybe not so useful

This is an interesting book that gives an overview of a craft that is dying out. In reading it you learn the basics of what the craft requires in terms of materials and techniques. But there isn't enough information provided to help you do anything. Neither the text or the photos five enough detail. So I think it is the kind of book to borrow from a library or from someone else but not one to buy.

This book tells you how to get started in woven projects. All from the very start to growing your own willow, harvesting it, and crafting a finished project. In this book, you will find a total of 20 woven projects. Baskets, ornaments, serving-ware, and even napkin holders.

I’ll be honest, I really don’t think I will grow my own willow. Not until retirement at least. But it was such an interesting topic to read and learn about!

Now, about the weaving projects, I can truly see myself experimenting with them. I love all kinds of crafts, and this just looks like so much fun, and the finished objects are always a treat to have.

A very informative book. And although it focuses on the usage of willow as the only material, I can imagine myself practicing with rolled newspapers like I used to do in art class. Besides being a cheaper material, will be easier and softer to practice, before trying to come by some willow.

The woven laundry basket is by far my favorite project. I know I am not going to be making it until I have some good practice under my belt, but is definitely going to the bucket list!

At least I am confident I can do the wreath. The wreath project looks simple enough, quick and doesn’t require a lot of material. It can also be ornamented with extra stuff, maybe some flowers (real or faux).

I couldn’t expect more from a book! You get the history and introduction to the craft, how to grow and harvest the material yourself, different weaving techniques and 20 projects to start making and using those techniques. I’m sure it could even mean an extra source of income if you become good enough. These projects are precious and lovely, so selling them should be easy I think.

Basket weaving is an art that takes considerable skill, plus lots of patience to insure quality results. I took a beginner's class when we lived in Alaska and thoroughly enjoyed the process but since I had not kept up I had forgotten most of what I learned. This book has beautiful pictures with clear guidance to achieve something that could almost look like Jenny Crisp's efforts! My friends and I had a good time making some of the items and are determined to complete more. Keep practicing and you'll have memories and mementos to share.

The projects in this book are beautiful. The information and instructions are well presented. The pictures are inspirational and I'd love to create many of the projects. I think it would be fun as well as challenging to make many of these creations including baskets and tables. Now, I just need to find out where we'd find out find the willow supplies. OH and while this instructions are there in great detail it will take years of practice to master this wonderful hobby. This book is a place to start.

Willow is a weaving/crafting tutorial on growing, harvesting, and creating objects from willow. Released 18th Oct 2018 on Quarto's Jacqui Small imprint, it's 144 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Author Jenny Crisp has combined the ancient craft of creating with willow along with more modern design elements. I was impressed to see that this book also includes a fully usable introduction to sourcing materials including a solid beginner section on growing one's own canes. That alone is worth the price of the book.

The book starts with a good introduction to history and craft as well as the section on sourcing and growing materials. The next sections deal with sorting and preparing materials as well as an introduction to necessary tools. The basic techniques chapter which follows covers the different braiding techniques as well as hand care and suggestions for safety. The last 2/3rds of the content are complete tutorials for 20 different projects, beginner to advanced. These are fully photographed and clear and concise including measurements, materials, and necessary tools. The photography is beautiful and clear and fully supports and illustrates the instructions. The end of the book includes a resource page slanted to the crafter living in the UK.

Wonderful introduction to crafting and weaving with wood/willow. The projects are very attractive and most are functional (baskets, vessels, screens, etc). There are some purely decorative pieces included (a simple door wreath, a decorative star, napkin rings, etc).

Probably the best basket weaving tutorial book in my library and certainly the only willow specific one in my library. Highly recommended.

Five stars.

Comprehensive book about growing and harvesting willow, preparing it for weaving and details steps on weaving some crafts projects. It includes Flat weave(star, fish, scree), Natural Weave (Bread tray, fruit basket, gathering basket), Spiral weave (Napkin ring, bird feeder, egg basket, garlic holder), Round weave (wreath, Lampshade, Cloche, Coracle seat, Waste paper bin) and Square weave (Trivet, Breakfast tray, Jardinière, Lunch Bag , Laundry Basket)

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Truly inspiring book on creating with willow. All the projects are well designed and easy to follow. I am a keen gardener and can't wait to make the cloche to protect my plants from marauding possums and wallabies. My two favourite projects are the lunch basket and the breakfast tray.
They would make perfect Christmas presents! 2019?

Plenty of photos accompany this book which makes it so much easier to follow. The short history of the use of willow is interesting. There are four main sections to the book: Working with Willow; Key techniques; Projects, and Resources. Each section is well explained and I thought the projects were really attractive and useful. I think you would need quite a bit of space to grow and harvest the willow, but otherwise I think most people could give it a go with this book to hand. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This is a gorgeous book that really gets across how much skill and practice there is to willow weaving. It's an appealing introduction to the craft, but I wouldn't expect anyone to learn how to actually make anything solely from this book -- there's clearly a lot of finesse involved that can't be conveyed in photographs and text.

I have three large weeping willow trees in my garden, with their whippy branches I always wonder if I could make baskets with them. It turns out that I probably need a stronger or purpose grown type of willow to make these baskets. Having said that, this book is an excellent book on both growing, planting and harvesting willow. The instructions on making the baskets are fabulous and include flat weave, natural weave, spiral weave, round weave and lastly square weave. Each technique has a number of project to make for the home or garden and are well explained and illustrated.
A very informative book.

Thank you Quatro Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

Willow is a lovely, comprehensive and easy to understand book with gorgeous illustrations. The book takes the reader through the initial processes of identifying different types of willow, how to grow and harvest it, through to templates for creating many beautiful pieces from napkins rings, bread baskets, shopping baskets, stools to outdoor screens.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and learn from this incredible craft form. It took me back to fond memories of making baskets as a child and has given lots of food for thought.

Clear instructive guide to weaving with willow. Some more comtempary designs included. Step by step instructions along side detailed photography. Australian resources included.

This book is more for those who want to take the time to really work with willow. It does have templates/projects on how to work with and make something with this material. From reading this book, the reader and maker does have to have the time and space to make these projects and more if interested in working with this.

This is a nice book for those looking to use willow twigs for crafting. The author made some really nice stuff especially the flat mat used with the teapot. I'd love to have that. But one thing crossed my mind during the section of the craft tutorials. I wonder if she ever gets hit or nicked by those willow sticks. they seem quite bendy and me being an Old Country Girl I know a thing or two about a switch. I know it's weird but that is just one of the questions I have that I'd love to ask Ms. Crisp.


She is amazing and her work is spectacular. It really makes me think of all the hard work that goes into those handmade baskets and mats that are hand woven we see inside the craft stores and what not. She grows her willows, soak, and trim them to make her designs. It's really great.

Willow by Jenny Crisp is a beautiful instructional book for growing, harvesting, and using willow to weave baskets, trays, and other home decor. The step-by-step photos are amazing and the instructions seem easy to follow. I wasn't familiar with growing willow, so I learned a lot about that possibility.

Here's yet another craft/art I want to try! Crisp makes the creation of willow baskets, etc. look easy and fun. The photographs are quite beautiful.

A truly beautiful book. Some lovely ideas and projects in this book. An informative book which has a variety of techniques helpful for beginners to advanced. Beautiful pictures of some beautiful projects.

This book gives great insight about how to grow willow and use it to weave baskets. I enjoyed learning more about the history of willow and it makes me want to try weaving willow.

Willow by Jenny Crisp

This comprehensive well explained and beautifully illustrated book tells of the willow (salix) used for weaving. There are directions for items to make and examples of items I would love to own. I almost envy the author her three decades of creating wonderful items that people no doubt enjoy and cherish.

I have done basket weaving as a child but this is much different from what we did. I learned about willow and the techniques used to create and would like to someday try weaving with willow should I have the chance. I also have to say I thought about this as a potentially lost skill that with this book one could be able to create useful items should an apocalypse occur ;)

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing-Jaqui Small for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars