How to Make a Ribbed Basket
Ribbed baskets are recognized by what’s known as a “God’s eye” woven on each end. They are created using a variety of pliable fibers like willow, thread and grasses that can be picked by hand or found in craft shops. Willow is the most commonly used basket fiber. A small basket with natural materials is a basic project for beginners.
Instructions
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Prepare the Reed
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1
Soak reed in warm water 20 minutes if you purchased it in a craft store. If you gather your own vine, soak it overnight or until it becomes pliable and stops snapping when you bend it.
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2
Cut two 4-foot pieces of the willow and fashion them into hoops that are about 10 inches in diameter. Secure the hoops by tying a small piece of vine around the ends.
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3
Hold the two hoops perpendicular to each other -- one inside the other -- and create the God’s eye. Take a piece of willow and cross wrap the vine at the point where the two hoops meet. Begin weaving the God’s eye. Wrap the vine around one arm of the hoop, pulling it to the next from the back and wrapping the next reed. Repeat until 10 rows are complete. Keep the weave tight so the basket doesn't unravel. Do the same at the other end where the two hoops meet.
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4
Create the frame, or ribs, for the basket by cutting four 12-inches pieces of willow
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5
Cut the ends of the pieces on an angle to make it easier to insert them into the God’s eye.
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6
Insert one end into the God’s eye and -- keeping it curved -- insert the other end into the other God’s eye. Trim away any excess vine. Do the same for all four pieces.
Weaving the basket
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7
Cut four 12-inch weaving strands from the willow and start weaving from the God’s eye. Use a basic pattern, weaving over the rim and under the first rib and then over the second rib and under the bottom hoop.
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8
Continue weaving in this manner until the first weaving strand ends. When you get to a few inches before the end of the strand, tuck it into the weave on the far side of the nearest rib.
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9
Take the other weaving strands and weave each from one end to the other end in the same manner, going over and under, until the basket is complete.
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10
Check for any loose ends, tie off the end of the fiber and slip it under the top hoop after snipping off any excess fiber.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can dye your reed after you soak it using vegetable fibers for a colored ribbed basket.
