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.