After a couple of months living in the Sierras, I started to feel… itchy. Not literally, but in that restless way when your brain whispers you need to try something new.
It sounded ridiculous at first, but I couldn’t shake it.
I’ve always admired Native Americans (or First Nations, as they’re known in Canada)—their deep knowledge of the land, their traditions passed down for over a thousand years, and the way they could make beauty and utility out of natural materials.
So when I bought my little place in the Sierras, I found myself drawn to the history of the land and the people who once lived here. And strangely enough, that fascination showed up in… pine needles.
Yes. Pine needles.
Specifically, the long, glossy needles of the Ponderosa pines in my yard.
I suddenly became obsessed with the idea of making pine needle baskets. I’d seen pictures before—woven, coiled, works of art really—and thought, How hard could it be?
How Hard Could It Be?
Famous last words.
Spoiler alert: it's pretty hard.
After a couple of months of just daydreaming, I finally gave in. I collected heaps of needles from my yard and down the street, found a YouTube tutorial, and dove in.
Here’s what I learned:
Pine needle baskets take forever to make.
Your hands will ache.
But the process is strangely meditative and ridiculously fun.
I followed this tutorial step by step, and once I felt a little braver, I went off-script. The result? Let’s just say it wouldn’t make it into a museum collection anytime soon—but hey, it was a basket. A lopsided, quirky little basket that I was oddly proud of.
Tips if you want to try it:
- Use long needles (6 inches or more).
- Keep your bunches consistent.
- Maintain steady tension if you want a nice circle (I, uh… did not). 😅
Here’s what I imagined when I started (Ohlone baskets from the British Museum):
Photo credit: Ohlone Baskets at the British Museum
https://ohloneforever.com/baskets/
And here’s what I actually ended up with:
Err…well, let’s just say it has character.
Will I ever get to that level of craftsmanship? Probably not. But the joy is in the trying.
And you might be wondering, “What on earth does this have to do with knitting?”
Answer: absolutely nothing.
Except: one of those basket motifs inspired me when I designed the Ohlone Trail Cowl. It’s a rustic, cozy knit that nods to the land once walked by the Ohlone, Miwok, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes. You can get the cowl pattern in the shop or on Ravelry.
So in the end, pine needles and yarn did end up tangled together after all.
