Basket weaving or basketry is a very unique ancient craft as it allows to create sculptural objects.

Traditionally baskets were woven by hand from natural fibers, similar to the weaving of textiles. A wide variety of natural materials have been used to create baskets, for example bark, willow rods, grass, leaves, etc.

Baskets are part of the heritage of many indigenous people.

Baskets were commonly used to gather, store, cook, and serve food; or as water containers when lined with clay to create waterproof bowls. Actually, baskets were used as molds for some of the earliest pots. Openwork baskets were used as filters, sieves, and strainers.

Building a basket is a small engineering project that requires measurements, creation of appropriate shapes and adhering to certain well-established patterns.

The principles of basket weaving are pretty much the same despite materials used. The simplest method of weaving a basket is called randing or plain weave. It is made of spokes/stakes and weavers. The spokes or stakes are the foundation of a basket; they are usually strong and stiff. The weavers are the basket strands that weave through the spokes or stakes, going over and under them; they are lighter, thinner and more flexible than the spokes, to enable them to be woven easily.

Basketry provides extensive possibilities for artistic expressions through a variety of patterns that you can create by changing the size, color or texture of weave, and it allows a variety of constructing possibilities.

It is a joy to harvest your own materials for basket making. If you want a more authentic experience walk around in nature and gather some reeds, or willow, or other local materials to weave with. Note that you would need to soak them in water before working with them to make them more flexible.