Homemade Basket Weaving

Homemade basket weaving has existed for more than 10,000 years as scientists have discovered baskets that are believed to be more than 12,000 years only in Egypt.

Essentially, basket weaving refers to weaving vegetable fibers into the shape of a basket or similar. Fibrous or flexible materials are used such as pine straw, different types of grass and wood, hide, animal hair and thread.

Today the whole process is made easier by using one of the many basket weaving kits available. But from a practical craft, basket weaving has evolved into an art form through the millennia and, fortunately, there are many who are interested in the craft today.

Whether merely as a hobby or as a business, more and more people are entering the fascinating world of basket weaving. However, their first foray into the basket weaving world leaves them a little disappointed as the information available is either insufficient or overly complicated.

Getting Started With Basket Weaving

The best way for a beginner to delve into the fascinating world of basket weaving and learn how to create basketry is to first attend a basket weaving course or a demonstration.

Veggiefrog's homemade basket

http://www.flickr.com/photos/veggiefrog/ / CC BY 2.0

Initially, attempting to understand the different basket weaving methods and techniques involved in creating a basket without guidance can be extremely difficult.

However, if there are no courses near you then there are plenty of books available on the subject. It will take you longer to perfect your technique, as there is nothing like hands on guidance, but it can still be done.

As a beginner at basket weaving you will need to stock a complete basket weaving kit and become familiar with the terms and concepts, and there are many books available to help you. For example, there are four main types of homemade basket weaving methods, namely woven, plaited, coiled and twined. Each style features a different technique that is applicable to different materials.

• Coiled homemade baskets are usually made of grass or rushes
• Plaiting involves the use of materials that are wide and flexible, similar to ribbon, like New Zealand Flax or yucca
• Twining uses materials that come from roots and bark
• Woven baskets are usually made of reeds, cane, willow and oak

Basket weaving can be quite tiring for a beginner, especially if you don't know what to expect. When working with tough willow it can leave you with aching hands when you finish but the basket you create will have been worth all the effort. It is an extremely fulfilling craft, creating this wonderful and practical object using your hands and a few tools.

There are numerous homemade basket making kits you can buy that are designed especially for beginners. These kits contain everything you will need to make your basket from start to finish.

Basket weaving kits are handy to help you gain experience as they cover all the different types of basket weaving as well as levels of experience. Thus, you will be able to progress quickly until you are challenging yourself to come up with newer and more complicated designs for your baskets.

Another excellent way to get started with basket weaving is to try and meet with people in your area who also would like to get into basket weaving. One way is to locate a basketry guild to join and there you can meet the people in your area who share your passion.

Of course, the most important step in starting out with homemade basket weaving is actually weaving your first basket. It's of little use to you if you just keep reading about the best methods and techniques, yet you never do anything about it. Once you have woven that first one you can start by practicing more and more until you become a master at basket weaving.

We'll have some more on basket weaving for beginners over the next few weeks, so don't forget to bookmark and return soon.

For those of you that intend to give basket weaving a try, or if you are a past master please post some photos and tips using the form below.