Freitag, 6. November 2015

Gokstad-Style Basket Backpack

Hey there, my dear readers! It's not that I'm lazy and nothing is happening here, quite the contrary, lots of work and no time for modern media ;)
But at last here's something new for you. I was not very content with the wicker backpack I own. It's heavy, has a sqare form that gets smaller towards the bottom and tends to bend me backwards when loaded heavily with all the things a lady needs to carry around ;)
There's a find from viking times from the Gokstad boat grave. Not a complete backpack, in fact, just two wooden boards, one of them with holes around the edge: 

Source: http://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com/MuseumVikingShipOslo2.htm
Source: http://europa.org.au/index.php/articles/21-bags



The find itself leaves room for speculation and interpretation. I did not want to recreate it, rather than have a useful, light, good looking container to carry my things.
So I decided to use very light materials, not authentic. For the board I used a wood called Paulownia, which is sometimes used for surfboards, due to its properties. For the basket part I used thin beech wood rods as stakes and rattan.


As the basket grew, I found it more and more useful to use a cardboard template to achieve the right form.


I ended the weaving with an other (flat) type of rattan and secured the edge with a decorative wrapping.


As the basket part was finished I had to think about how to carry that thing ;)  Of course I wanted to make the straps myself and didn't want something boring. So I made a long tablet woven band with a Birka pattern.



I attached the straps with wooden rods inside the basket and put some metal strap buckles on, so I can adjust the straps when I wear my thick woollen coat.


I have used this backpack now on several occasions and I must say that I'm really happy with it. I can carry it all day without complaining about the weight or uncomfortable fit, and a lot of things fit inside. If Mary Poppins were viking, this would be the thing to have ;)

7 Kommentare:

  1. Was für ein schöner Tragekorb! Er steht Dir ausgezeichnet ;)) und komplementiert Dein Outfit auf wunderschöne Weise!! Liebe Grüße, Nicole

    AntwortenLöschen
    Antworten
    1. Danke dir! :) Was da alles reinpasst ist echt der Hammer. Der kleine Bortenwebrahmen, ein Satz Geschirr, Nachschubgarn und meine komplette Naalbinding-Umhängetasche samt Inhalt *g*

      Löschen
  2. Good to know the decoration is included...*ggg*... :-*

    AntwortenLöschen
  3. Your basket is fantastic! Did you attach the straps at the bottom to the base?

    AntwortenLöschen
    Antworten
    1. Thank you Sarah! :) I tucked the ends through the basket work, made loops at the ends of the straps and put a dowel through these loops. This should be a more sturdy construction than just attaching the straps at two points. And the straps can easily be replaced if they should wear out at some point.

      Löschen

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...