Basket Weaving Cheatsheet
Basic Basketry Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Stakes | The vertical elements of the basket; the foundation. |
Weaver | The horizontal element that is woven through the stakes. |
Upsetting | Bending the stakes upward to form the sides of the basket. |
Twill | A weaving pattern that involves passing over two or more stakes at a time. |
Lashing | The technique used to finish the rim of the basket. |
Common Weaving Materials
Material | Description | Preparation |
---|---|---|
Round Reed | Comes in various diameters, very common for beginners. | Soak in water until pliable. |
Flat Reed | Flat strips of rattan, used for stakes and weavers. | Soak in water until pliable. |
Raffia | A natural fiber from a palm tree, used for coiling. | Can be used dry or damp. |
Seagrass | A twisted cord of dried grass, used for weavers. | Use dry. |
Willow | Requires harvesting and processing. | Soak for several days. |
Fundamental Weaving Techniques
Technique | Description |
---|---|
Plaiting | Weaving with flat, wide materials. |
Twining | Using two weavers to twist around each stake. |
Wicker | A simple over-under pattern with a single weaver. |
Coiling | Wrapping a bundle of material and stitching it into a shape. |
Starting a Round Reed Basket
Step # | Action | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | Cut and soak your stakes. | Cut an even number of stakes. |
2 | Lay out the base. | Criss-cross two groups of stakes (e.g., 4 over 4). |
3 | Begin weaving the base with a twining pattern. | This locks the stakes in place. |
4 | Separate the stakes. | Once the base is the desired size, separate the stakes evenly. |
5 | Upset the stakes. | Bend the stakes upwards to form the sides. |
6 | Weave the sides. | Continue with your chosen weaving pattern. |
7 | Finish the rim. | Trim the stakes and lash the rim. |
Troubleshooting
Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
---|---|---|
Reed is cracking | Reed is too dry. | Keep a spray bottle handy to mist your work as you weave. |
Uneven sides | Inconsistent tension on the weaver. | Pull each row of weaving down snugly against the previous one. |
Gaps in weaving | Not packing the rows tightly enough. | Use a flat-head screwdriver or a packing tool to push rows together. |