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Hello all,
I am currently finishing a design degree in Cornwall, and after a series of agriculture products I have chosen foraging for the final one. I am in the process of designing a new type of container/basket for collecting ingredients. I have a few ideas already, which I am happy to share here with photos of my drawings. However, I would like to hear your views.
I am going to end up with two products, one for the elite, hard core forager. I think this will be a range of bags affixed onto a belt.
The second is a modern, funky product which is flat packed and handy, for those who occasionally collect blackberries etc when out for a walk.
All of your suggestions and advice would be gratefully received,
Thank you!
The Cottage Smallholder
stumbling self sufficiency in a small space
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Foraging Baskets
Wed 7-Mar-12
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Aly
Normandy France
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I like the flat pack idea as I often find lovely blackberries and big field mushrooms when out on a walk. Good luck with the degree
Trying to enjoy life as it is
Wed 7-Mar-12
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Terrier
York
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I always have doggie bags with me when out walking and just make them do. I'd be loath to carry anything extra that wouldn't fit in my coat pockets, so although flat pack sounds good to keep in the car, I'm not sure I'd be willing to go for a walk carry such a thing.
Good luck with the design course
Thu 8-Mar-12
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JoannaS
Latvia
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Roll up sounds good to me too, something that is handily available.
Hope your degree goes well, would love to see your designs. Always love creative ideas
Fri 29-Jun-12
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Urbane Forager
Southampton
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I think this is a great idea and I would like to see your ideas.
I have looked at camping bowls and baskets that fold down flat before.
I would also like to be able to attach my hoard of fruity booty to my bicycle (or back I guess) and get it home without smashing it to pulp, if this was possible.
I looked for string bags, which used to exist but seem not to now.
You will need a range probably, considering the different sizes and softnesses of (let's say) Cherries, Apples, hazelnuts, walnuts, plums etc.
Another thing to think about is are you walking, cycling or driving to the trees/home.
I always take my children, they love it and would also like baskets I suspect.
Blackberries are a good place to start as lots of people pick them and often little else.
I have designed and made simple fruit picking tools myself here, http://theurbaneforager.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/pha.....icker.html
Good luck and keep in touch
Fri 29-Jun-12
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Hattie
Bucks/Oxon Border
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Hi there, welcome to the forum.
You talk about not being able to get hold of string bags anymore. I think you or a friend could easily crochet or knit you some out of cotton yarn (easy to wash). Then it would be easy to crochet/knit suitable handles/straps to attach to you or the bike.
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
Fri 29-Jun-12
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Urbane Forager
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Ha!
Nice thinking but I'd first need to learn how to crochet!
I'm sure it's not beyond my capabilities, but knitting bags is not top of my priority list.
When I'm out and about in my lunch hour, I just take a carrier bag then transfer the produce to my empty lunch box before cycling home.
Most stuff I use is pretty utilitarian but I must confess a fondness for wicker baskets. Although they are not very handy to store when not in use, they are sturdy, light, look nice and have ventilation.
I only forage for fun really and to get the kids out and about. Having said this, we do collect a very large amount of things like cherries, plums and apples.
Fri 29-Jun-12
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Hattie
Bucks/Oxon Border
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You need a helpful old-fashioned granny, ask in an Oxfam shop if they know anyone who could crochet for you......!! I would not think portable wicker baskets were easy to fasten on your bike but a fishing basket might be OK, the kind you carry on your shoulder.
I hope you solve your problem; squashed fruit ,heated up in a plastic bag is not a nice thought. 
I like your blog by the way. 
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
Sat 30-Jun-12
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KateUK
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Marks and Sparks do string bags. Bright lime green string bags.
Kateuk makes things at http://www.etsy.com/shop/finkstuff and sometimes she does this too http://www54paintings.blogspot.com/ and also this http://finkstuff.weebly.com/
Sat 30-Jun-12
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SumpRat
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Hi Rosehip, welcome to the friendliest place on the internet.
As I see it foraging can be put into several baskets 
if you'll excuse the pun.
Incidental whereby you come across something whilst on a walk. In this case you want something that can slip into a pocket.
Or
Deliberate in which case a compact solution isn't quite so important.
If you are collecting soft fruits then something that wont crush the fruit is important In this case something along the lines of a tradition trug would be best. In fact this would be my preference, if you not far from home or transport, in most cases. For more rugged native comestibles a ventilated bag of some sort would be in order. However, I think it should be slightly rigged so that the sides don't fold in. This would make loading easier.
Simon AKA SumpRat
A well fed rat is a HappyRat 
A smile a day keeps the psychiatrist away.
Sat 30-Jun-12
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Toffeeapple
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SumpRat said:
Hi Rosehip, welcome to the friendliest place on the internet.
Rosehip posted once and never came back!
I'll try that again!
Sat 30-Jun-12
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SumpRat
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Toffeeapple said:
SumpRat said:
Hi Rosehip, welcome to the friendliest place on the internet.
Rosehip posted once and never came back!
OH! didn't check the dates. What a shame.
A well fed rat is a HappyRat A smile a day keeps the psychiatrist away.
Sat 30-Jun-12
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Toffeeapple
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Never mind!
I'll try that again!
Sun 1-Jul-12
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Danny
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Neither did I
Seems like she posted back in March but I only read it yesterday.
Very strange.
Never knowingly underfed
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