A Tisket A Tasket, How To Weave A Basket
Weaving a basket is an ancient art form practiced by nearly every culture the across the globe. Prized for the skill and creativity necessary to create, baskets are used in a variety of manners. Used for decorative pieces, practical uses, and who can forget picnics basket weaving is by no mean a lost art. A renewed interest has emerged in this art form with families and individuals recognizing that basket weaving is pretty fun.
Baskets for Beginners
If you take a look at a basket you may fail to realize all that is involved with its creations.You can find a quick rundown here While anyone can weave a basket it takes more than throwing together some random twigs and a crude handle. Done correctly baskets are beautiful pieces full of charm and personality.
There are four main types of baskets. These types are the materials used in the basket creation. The materials you use have a lot to do with the final result and what that basket can be used for.
‘Wicker
‘Twining
‘Coiled
‘Plaiting
While baskets can be intricate and complex they all have three basic components which are the base, the side walls, and the rim. Remember, you can add a lid or handle and really anything else you can think of but most beginners keep their first few baskets simple.
Practice, Practice, and Some More Practice
At first you simply want to try and make the basket represent the desired shape. Then you can aim for something a bit more complex. You will first lay down a grid pattern of the material laid over and under one another which is the base. You will then need to form your spokes which are the stationary part and run the weavers in and out of these spokes making the sidewall. The rim is a little more complex but with sufficient practice a skill you can master. You will continue doing this until the basket has the desired height and shape. Do not worry if it does not look exactly like what you imagined. Like all art basket weaving takes practice.