Museo dell'intreccio mediterraneo di Castelsardo

These were considered most precious items for fishing in all the coastal areas and pertained exclusively to the men. The fishing creels were made with various shapes, sizes, mesh measurements and reed distribution depending on the kind of fish to be caught.

Traditionally fishermen personally made their own fishing creels during the winter months, when they could not go to sea. Among the chosen materials, the most commonly used were reeds, harvested in June and dried in the sun. For the frame of the creels the canes were cleaned, sanded and rendered flexible. Hemp or linen thread was used for sewing although nowadays nylon threads are also used. Tools were basic: a basin of water to moisten the fibers, a pruning hook or sharpened knife for cutting, needle and thread for sewing.

A creel is made up of three parts: an outer bell-shaped cage; an inner funnel-shaped chamber known as the door of deception which finishes with sharp- tipped reed stems that prevent the fish from escaping: the lid that closes the upper opening from which the catch is extracted. Its construction is similar all over the Island.: the starting point is a coiled frame made of small lengths of fiber that create the mouth of the creel.

To this the bunches of reeds are added following a certain angle to give the desired shape. The construction of the door of deception follows, using the same technique and materials that will then be sewn to the bell-shaped cage. Finally the lid will be made guaranteeing a perfect closure of the creel.