For thousands of years, humans have been making baskets using materials available in nature, such as willow twigs and thin reeds of various types. Today, basket making is a real art form, as well as a useful skill. By following the steps outlined here to make a wicker basket, you will get not only a practical container to use around the house, but also a beautiful object to display. Start with the first step to start making your basket.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Prepare the Willows
Step 1. Get a bunch of willow twigs
To make a basket you can use canes and folding twigs of various types, including vines and various types of common herbs, but willow remains the first choice thanks to the fact that, once dried, the twigs harden, allowing you to create a very resistant basket. You can cut the twigs yourself or buy them, already dried, in a shop specializing in materials for crafts.
- You will need a good number of willow twigs of varying sizes (thick, medium and thin) for the different parts that make up the basket. Make sure you have a good number of long, thin twigs - the longer the better, so you don't have to continually add new ones as you work.
- If you have decided to cut the twigs yourself, you will need to let them dry before using them. Willow twigs shrink when first dried. Leave them outside to dry for several weeks before using them.
Step 2. Rehydrate the willow twigs
Before weaving the willow twigs, you will need to rehydrate them to make them flexible. Soak them in water for a few days, until they bend easily without breaking.
Step 3. Cut the twigs for the base
Select several thicker twigs, which will be used to make the base of the basket. Use vineyard scissors to cut 8 twigs of the same length. The size of the branches chosen for the base will determine the circumference of the basket.
- For a small basket, cut into 30 cm twigs.
- For a medium-sized basket, cut into 60 cm twigs.
- For a larger basket, cut 90 cm twigs.
Step 4. Open a slit in the middle of four of the selected and cut twigs
Start by placing the first twig on the work surface and use a sharp blade to open a 5 cm long vertical gap in the middle. Repeat the same operation with three other twigs, so that you have a total of four with the crack in the middle.
Step 5. Make the cross
This is the main structural element of the base of the basket. Align 4 twigs with the crack making sure the slots are adjacent. Insert the other 4 twigs inside the slots so that they remain flat and perpendicular to the twigs with the slot. The result will be a cross made up of two groups of four "bearing" branches inserted into the cracks of four other branches. This is called the "cross", made up of two "rays".
Part 2 of 4: Weave the Base
Step 1. Insert two weavers
Now it's time to start basket weaving! Take two long, thin twigs, approximately the same length. Insert the ends of the twigs into the left edge of the cut at the base, so that they protrude next to one of the spokes of the cross. These twigs are called "weavers". The weavers are intertwined on the spokes to create the shape of the basket.
Step 2. Do a double weave to strengthen the base
The "double weave" is a type of weaving that uses its weavers, in order to reinforce the base of the basket. Separate the weavers and fold them to the right over the adjacent beam. Place one weaver above the beam and one below, and pick them up on the right side of the beam. Now bring above of the next ray the weaver you passed under the first ray, e below of the next ray the one you passed over the first ray. Turn the cross and continue to weave, this time bringing the weaver who is below the second above the third ray, and vice versa. Continue weaving and matching the weavers in this way around all four spokes of the cross, until you create 2 rows.
- Be careful to always bring each twig in the same direction as you weave.
- The weaving must be tight, and each row must be attached to the previous one.
Step 3. Separate the branches that make up the spokes
At the third round of weaving, the time has come to separate the twigs that make up each radius of the cross, in order to create the round shape of the base of the basket. Instead of continuing to weave around the spokes made up of four twigs, start weaving around each individual twig that makes up the cross, using the same method.
- You can help by bending each spoke outward, so that the twigs open up like the spokes of a bicycle. Make sure the spokes are the same distance apart before continuing to weave.
- Continue weaving by pairing the weavers around the spokes until the base has reached the desired diameter.
Step 4. Add new weavers as needed
When a weaver runs out of length and you need to add a new one, select a sprig as close as possible to the one that is finished. Use a knife to sharpen the end of the new weaver, insert it between the last two rows woven and fold it so that it continues to follow the path left by the exhausted weaver. Make sure it's snug, then use vineyard scissors to cut off the protruding end of the old weaver. Continue weaving using the new weaver.
Do not replace more than one weaver at a time. Replacing two or more weavers in the same spot could create a weakness in the basket structure
Part 3 of 4: Weaving the sides of the basket
Step 1. Make the side structure of the basket
Choose 8 long and medium-thick twigs which, placed vertically with respect to the base, will be used to form the structure around which to weave the sides of the basket; we will call them "carriers". Use a knife to sharpen the selected twigs and tuck them into the base, one per radius, pressing them well into the texture, and as close to the center as possible. Fold them up, so they point skyward. Use vineyard scissors to cut them to the same height (where the edge of the basket will go) and tie them together so they sit still.
Step 2. Weave two rows of weavers using three twigs
Intertwine three weavers at the base of the twigs that make up the structure of the sides (see above), so that they remain firmly in place. Look for three long, thin twigs, point the ends, and insert them inside the base of the basket to the left of three consecutive carriers. Now weave two rows like this:
- Take the leftmost weaver and fold it to the right, facing two carriers. Pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
- Take the second weaver from the left and fold it to the right, facing two carriers. Pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
- Continue to weave in the same way, always starting with the leftmost weaver, until you have two rows with three weavers intertwined.
- Untie the tops of the carriers.
Step 3. Add the weavers to the sides of the basket
Select 8 long, thin twigs and sharpen the ends with the knife. Insert the first weaver inside the basket, behind a carrier. Fold it front to the next carrier on the left, then behind the one further left and finally bring it to the front. Now insert a second weaver behind the carrier, to the right of where you entered the first weaver, and do the same - pass it in front of the carrier on the left, behind the one further left, and then back to the front. Keep adding weavers like this until you have a weaver next to each carrier.
- To insert the last two weavers, you will need to lift the previously inserted ones in order to make room for inserting the last ones below. Use an awl, or a long enough nail.
- This way of weaving the sides is called "French style". This is a popular method, and is meant to make the sides straight and even.
Step 4. Weave the edge
Grab a weaver and pass it in front of the carrier to his left, then behind the one further left and then back to the front. Now take the weaver to the right of the first one and pass it in front of the carrier on his left, then behind the one further left and then back to the front. Continue like this around the basket, always starting with the next weaver on the right.
- Returning to where you started, you will notice that there are two weavers behind the last two carriers. Both weavers are woven around the carriers. Start with the bottom one, then proceed with the one above it. For the last carrier, too, start with the bottom weaver, then proceed with the one above it.
- Continue braiding until you have reached the desired height for the edge, and cut off the ends of the weavers.
Step 5. Strengthen the weave with a three-weave weave row
Select three long, thin twigs. Pin the ends and insert them to the left of three consecutive carriers. Now weave a row like this:
- Fold the leftmost weaver to the right, in front of two carriers, then pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
- Take the second leftmost weaver and fold it to the right, in front of two carriers, then pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
- Continue like this, always starting with the leftmost weaver, until you get a row intertwined with three weavers.
Step 6. Finish the edge
Fold one of the carriers to the right and pass it under the first two carriers. Pass it in front of the third and fourth carrier, behind the fifth, and then back to the front. Repeat with the next carrier to the right of the first one you folded.
- The last two carriers cannot be intertwined around the others, as they will all already be intertwined in the edge. Instead of weaving them around the other carriers, follow the same method, but this time insert the tip in and out of the edge.
- Trim the ends of the carriers so they are even with the edge of the basket.
Part 4 of 4: Adding a Handle
Step 1. Start with the main branch
Select a thicker willow tree to use as a frame for the handle. Fold it over the basket, holding the ends, to measure the height of the handle depending on how you want it. Cut it accordingly, abundant a few centimeters per side. Pin the ends and insert them inside the basket, next to two mirrored carriers.
Step 2. Insert five smaller twigs inside the weave, next to the handle's structural willow
Pin the ends and insert them deep inside the weave so that they stay exactly next to each other.
Step 3. Wrap the twigs around the handle
Take the twigs and wrap them like a ribbon around the main willow that makes up the handle structure, until you get to the other side. Make sure all the twigs remain flat and grouped together. Insert the ends of the twigs inside the weaving on the edge of the basket.
Step 4. Insert five thin twigs into the other end of the handle
Working in the opposite direction, wrap the twigs around the handle willow covering the spaces left empty by the first bundle. Continue wrapping until you get to the other side, and insert the ends of the twigs inside the weave on the edge of the basket.
Step 5. Strengthen the handle cover
Insert a thin sprig inside the weave, along one edge of the handle. Fold it towards the handle and wrap it several times around the base of the handle itself, in order to hold the bundle of branches that cover it firmly. Continue wrapping until all the twigs seem to be securely in place, then pass the end of the twig under the last wrapping, pull it tight and cut off the protruding end. Repeat the same operation for the other side of the handle base.
