Handwoven Sisal Basket – Natural & Inky Black Stripes

Description

HANDWOVEN SISAL BASKET

Each sisal basket has been made with pure and local, sustainably-sourced and 100% sisal fibre. Each one layered with woven stories. Available in 3 sizes (Large, Medium, Small)

The Kenyan Craft Company work closely with a self-help group of talented women artisans in Kenya. We are so proud to support this group of talented and inspiring women and it’s because of them we are able to enjoy these fantastic baskets. We are so proud to support these amazing women.

Check out this video

Measurements are close approximations and may vary slightly due to their handmade properties

Sisal comes from the leaves of the Agave plant (the sap is truly drinkable!). It’s an indigenous plant that comes from the Americas but the plant was transported to another geographic region in 1893 and nowadays, nearly half the sisal produced worldwide originates from East Africa (mainly from Kenya and Tanzania).

The sisal grown in Africa is slightly different from the American sisal because of the perfect conditions, where it is a hot and dry climate. The African sisal fibers are longer, they’re also finer than the American fibers, and they’re whiter, so it is considered the most effective sisal within the world. This is often essential because the whiteness means the African sisal can be dyed to different colors. Not only is the African sisal easy to dye, it’s also a smoother yarn, different in texture from its American cousin. Sisal is additionally now grown in China but their sisal is shorter and hairier, with a much bigger variation in shade.

To grow to the optimum, Sisal needs that hot, dry climate we mentioned (which is why it’s favored in Africa and China). The fabric that it produces has plenty of elasticity, so it’s easy to weave with.