My 'Stone Age backpack' in basketry project

I started a thread on Basketry, because I had this idea to make a 'Stone Age backpack'. But the thread is also on 'basketry' in general. It's probably better to seperate the backpack project from there.

So now this thread is on my ideas, plans and struggles with the 'Stone Age backpack'.
This is the idea:

(translation of the Dutch words will follow later, if necessary).

When I started weaving with the branches of Cornus sanguinea it became clear that it will not become a fine weave. Not the way I depicted it in my sketch. The branches can bend, but not that much. I tried to split one lengthwise, but without much success. It didn't want to split in two long parts, only in short pieces.

In the other thread I told about how I got those Cornus sanguinea branches. And I told about why I want to make a Stone Age bag or backpack too. I won't repeat that here.

Inge, I like your basket design, we could have used something similar - maybe smaller when we were doing our Neolithic gathering project.  Here's a link to your introductory post on your basket idea.

To show what I mean ...
So this will be the bottom of the basket. The sisal string will be replaced by more authentic looking cordage, but I need to make that first.

Maybe I'll have to add a few more branches to make it a little larger.

The dogwood branches look quite smooth and even. Do you need to dry them first tgen soak before use just like working with willows? I see many youtubers just start with raw materials and get the projects done before the vines etc have time to dry out. It can be challenging for beginners when it takes days or weeks to finish.

May Lotito wrote:The dogwood branches look quite smooth and even. Do you need to dry them first tgen soak before use just like working with willows? I see many youtubers just start with raw materials and get the projects done before the vines etc have time to dry out. It can be challenging for beginners when it takes days or weeks to finish.

I don't know. You might be right. Maybe they need to dry first. In that case they're not in the right place now, because they're outside in the rain ...

As long as they are not rotting, they are probably good to use. Then you can experiment with different ways of preparation.

I tried splitting some broomcorn stalks a few days ago. When fresh, the pith was moist and the resulting ribbonscwere flexible. The next day they dried up and became brittle and broke easily.  After soaking or boiling in water, they were bendable again.  

Dogwood branches have high water content  I guess that makes they quite sensitive to the moisture level.

When I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, many fellow hikers felt the need to add some extra difficulty to their 2658mi journey by adding challenges like carrying plastic pirate swords. One guy did the whole walk in a series of wedding dresses. I thought a much more appropriate and elucidating challenge would be to do it with all pre-industrial gear and clothing. I think a metal knife made the old fashioned way might qualify, but natural clothing and pack fibers only. While most natural materials would eventually absorb water and weight, this shed light on just how “back to nature” we really were, and how people truly living with the land functioned.

Ben Zumeta wrote:When I thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, many fellow hikers felt the need to add some extra difficulty to their 2658mi journey by adding challenges like carrying plastic pirate swords. One guy did the whole walk in a series of wedding dresses. I thought a much more appropriate and elucidating challenge would be to do it with all pre-industrial gear and clothing. I think a metal knife made the old fashioned way might qualify, but natural clothing and pack fibers only. While most natural materials would eventually absorb water and weight, this shed light on just how “back to nature” we really were, and how people truly living with the land functioned.

That's how it goes. First you want to dress 'pre-industrial', or 'all natural'... Then you get more interested in historical clothing ... And finally you'll become a volunteer in an open-air museum and you want to dress totally in style of that era, and make all accesories in style too. At least that's how it went for me.

Thanks to tips/advices I got in this thread and the other one, I have learned some things!
I learned the English name for Cornus species in general is 'dogwood', and this one is the 'common dogwood'.
And I learned it's better not to start weaving with fresh ('green') branches, but to dry them first and then soak before use.

So I took my first try-out apart, I sorted the branches (longer, medium and shorter) and put them to dry in bundles. Here you see (this old couch is standing in a covered place outside):

It's more suited for me I don't need to start immediately. Now I have time to gather the other materials.

It's exciting to learn new skills!

I notice that you are weaving a square bottom with basket weave while the sketch has a half cylinder shape. How do you plan on attaching the sides to the bottom? Will there be thicker long branches running throughout?

One thing I learn with weaving from foraged natural martials is that they come in various sizes, in contrast to the pre-preped and dimensional ones for sale. And that the size and shape of the foraged materials will affect the choices of style and weaving methods.

I put some testing photos in my forge thread. I currently work with flat strips which are quite different than the round branches but maybe it can be of some help to you.

May Lotito wrote:It's exciting to learn new skills!

I notice that you are weaving a square bottom with basket weave while the sketch has a half cylinder shape. How do you plan on attaching the sides to the bottom? Will there be thicker long branches running throughout?....

The sketch doesn't show exactly what I have in mind. The bottom was supposed to be rectangular with rounded edges.

This is still my plan. First I weave a rectangular bottom. Long thick branches come out from there to all four sides. That was what I already made, but took apart.
Then there will be a few rows in twined weave from flexible fibers (Lime bast or brambles). And then I'll weave in the thinner dogwood branches, alternated with more such twined rows. The bended hazel frame will be fixed with the twine too.

Maybe I'll use some willow too. And I can get more dogwood, there's plenty of it. Hazel too. But I'm not sure if I can get the needed amount of lime bast ...

The combination of plant materials sounds fantastic! Hazel rod is so wonderfully strong and straight.  Are you going to use split wood from it too? And will the backpack have a cloth lining?

May Lotito wrote:The combination of plant materials sounds fantastic! Hazel rod is so wonderfully strong and straight.  Are you going to use split wood from it too? And will the backpack have a cloth lining?

My first try to split a branch went wrong. Before I decide if I'll use it, first I need to know how to split it.
The 'backpack' won't have a lining. Everything I pack in it will be in small bags, pouches, a.a. All of those will meet the criterium 'like it could have been in the Stone Age' (all natural native materials, hand made, etc.)

Maybe you want to know more on the European Stone Age Gathering? The purpose for which I want to make this 'backpack'. It's a yearly event, educational re-enactment. During one week the participants will do their best to live like a tribe from the Stone Age (mesolithic/neolithic). At least ... during daytime.
They can sleep in a modern tent/ camper (temporary campground hidden out of sight next to the 'prehistorical village'). They can choose if they eat with the 'tribe' (food 'like it could have been in the Stone Age'), or have their own meals (at the campground, in a restaurant, or wherever).

Most participants will come with their car, I'll come by bicycle (about one-and-a-half day ride from my home). Some will probably even bring large 'Stone Age tents', animal hides, etc. in their cars ...
With my bicycle I can not haul such large/heavy stuff. This 'backpack' will be for my 'Stone Age crafts' materials and tools only. I'll have my 'Stone Age clothing' too (luckily this will be in Summer!). But the rest of my stuff is modern and light-weight. Because I'll eat 'with the tribe' there's no need to bring my camping kitchen utensils. So that pannier can be stuffed with the leather clothes.