Traditional weaving. Contemporary design. Everyday utility. The durability, beauty and function of the woven shopping baskets from Soloko combine to make a stunning and useful piece of functional art that will make your everyday errands a little more stylish.
These woven shopping baskets are made in West Africa as part of a collaboration with Atampoka Crafts, a group of weavers from Bolgatanga and the surrounding local communities that has brought friends and family together to share and maintain the sills and technique s of the traditional weaving processes.
Made from Veta Vera, also known more commonly as Elephant Grass, the woven shopping baskets are handmade following a complex process that begins with growing, harvesting and drying the stalks, which takes several weeks, before being split and twisted then dyed, dried, and taken through the complicated weaving process that turns the now flexible fibres into the woven shopping baskets.
The elephant grass is a traditional choice for the construction of the woven shopping baskets not only for its ability to be grown in the West African climate, but also because it is a spectacularly hard wearing and durable material that ensures longevity of the baskets, despite going through everyday use. A far reach from the fast fashion of chain retailers, the Soloko woven shopping baskets are made to last.
There are a number of different designs of woven shopping baskets available, also in a number of different colours that either include a vibrant colour from dyes, a spectacular pattern, or show off the natural beauty of the un-dyed elephant grass.
Designs of Woven Shopping Baskets
Dorla Woven Grocery Basket (dark blue stripe, natural)
Dorla Woven Market Basket (dark blue check, natural)
Dorla Woven Shopping Basket (coral, natural)
Dorla Woven Bag (natural)
Dela Woven Bucket Bag (dark blue stripe, natural)
Dela Woven Shopping Bag (dark blue rhombus, natural)
Delali Woven Basket Bag (dark blue, natural)
Delali Woven Bag Basket (natural, blue, turquoise)
Delali Woven Basket Tote (pink, yellow, amber)
Delalili Large Woven Tote Bag (dark blue)
Delalili Woven Beach Tote Bag (yellow)
Delalili Woven Basket Handbag (orange)
Delalili Woven Basket Purse (pink)
The Dorla design is one of the most popular in Bolgatanga, best known for their round shape and wide opening with large handles that are great for trips to the farmers market. In a more modern tote style, the large sized Dela is a huge size, perfect for big days out or overnight trips, Delali for trips to the beach with plenty of space for all the necessary towels, sunscreens and accessories that are required for the perfect day trip, and then the Delalili - our smallest size but by no means a small bag, perfect as a daily tote for all your everyday essentials.
Shop our full collections of handmade home decor, including all woven table linens and our mouth blown glassware to take advantage of free shipping in Germany on orders over €250, and free shipping in the EU on orders over €350. To find more information about postage and delivery for other locations, please click through to our full shipping policy. Alternately, you can see the beauty of the woven shopping baskets in person by visiting one of our many stockists.
Please note that as the hand woven shopping baskets are handmade, they will all be unique and may have small differences in size and colour from that pictured, as well as have minor irregularities which are not faults, but are additional character that make each of the baskets unique.
