A basket can be made with reeds and wood. Wooden reeds are soft and easy to work with, but you can also use other materials. A good place to start is with a small amount of reed. After cutting it to size, soak it in water for a few minutes. Bend the spokes upwards until they form the sides of the basket. This method of making a basket is a great way to create a unique piece of art for your home.
Once you have made the basic frame of your basket, it’s time to add the side spokes. These are cut from the perimeter fibers and woven up. If your base spokes are large, you’ll need to add side, or “side” spokes, too. Make sure to choose flexible weavers to weave the spokes because they’re easier to work with when they’re smaller. These side pieces are usually longer than the finished height of the basket, and the remaining ends are used to finish the top edge with a border.
Fishwives along the east coast of Scotland used baskets with rips or back creels to display their catch and to store a board for gutting. The ribbed design of these baskets was also common in the area around Montrose and Arbroath. They were also made of machine split wood and used for storing fish. It may be tempting to try weaving your own basket, but don’t try to recreate an old style of basket.
While it may be difficult to find the right materials for your basket, you can start by soaking it overnight in water. This will help add moisture and give you a break from weaving. Once you’ve soaked your first basket, you’ll be inspired to weave another one! You’ll be so proud of your accomplishment. You’ll be a master of weaving and will look forward to each new creation!
The type of fibers used to weave a basket will determine the character of the finished product. While there are many different types of fibers, most baskets are woven with a combination of different kinds of fibers. Some are round, some are flat, and some are flat. The shape and size of a basket will vary greatly, depending on the design. If you’re just starting out, soaking your basket will give you some valuable experience in weaving a basket.
Natural fibers such as grasses and reeds are used to weave a basket. In New Hampshire, the material is brown ash, while in other parts of the state, it is black ash. These trees are generally finicky, growing in swampy areas. Their wood is soft and perfectly suited to basket-making, and many basket makers are dependent on it. A professional woven basket can last for years.