Things You'll Need:
- 2 lbs. Straw
- 100 Willow branches
- Sharp knife
- Awl
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Step 1
Soak the willow for at least 12 hours.
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Step 2
Split the soaked willow with a sharp knife, and hold one end in your mouth as you tear the cut strip away from the stalk.
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Step 3
Remove broken pieces by gathering groups of willows into your hands and slapping them against your knee. Use your fingers to comb the broken pieces out.
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Step 4
Soak the remaining straw for about 10 minutes to loosen it up.
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Step 5
Wrap the soaked straw in a damp towel while you work.
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Step 1
Wrap one strip of willow around the the end of a straw bundle to secure it. Trip the straw ends beyond the point of the willow strap.
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Step 2
Continue to wrap willow around the straw four times, then begin curling the straw into a spiral shape, drawing the willow through the middle of each spiral and pulling taught. Do this five times.
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Step 3
Use an awl, open a hole in the spiraled straw.
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Step 4
Stitch willow through the straw under one of the wraps. Pull stitches tight.
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Step 5
Wrap willow strip around and around the straw, stitching through the bundle to create a coil.
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Step 6
Add straw to the basket as it gets larger by weaving new ends into the old ones.
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Step 7
Add willow as needed by pulling new strands through and hiding the ends behind the coils.
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Step 8
After the bottom of the basket reaches about 6 inches in width, start to curve the spiral upward to make a bowl shape.
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Step 9
After the sides reach about 5 inches in height, cut the ends of the straw bundle at an angle.
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Step 10
Wrap the ends of the straw into the willow stitches.
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Step 11
Stitch over the rim with willow in the opposite direction of the first round of stitches.
