How to Weave a Nantucket Basket

This article will enable the reader to make their very own Nantucket basket. My name is Jean Frenette and I have been weaving Nantucket Dream Weaver baskets since 1983. Nantucket baskets have a unique style and are very collectable.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Scissors
• Stanley Knife
• Elmers Glue
• Sand Paper
• Oak Bottom Disc
• Oak Laminate
• Half Round Reed
• Rattan
• Oak Handle
• Bone Ivory Knobs and Washers
• Handle Fasteners

1. Order Materials
   Use your computer internet browser to search on "nantucket basket supplies." Order an 8 inch oak bottom disk, 1/2 inch oak laminate or flat/round reed to make staves, 1/2 inch half round reed for the rims, common cane (rattan) to weave the staves and rims together, a 14 inch oak handle, 2 bone ivory knobs and washers 1/2 inch, and handle fasteners. If you have any questions ordering, you can call most Nantucket basket suppliers for help while ordering. You may also want to purchase a 12 inch wood or plastic mold but, you may also use 12 inch round Rubbermaid or Tupperware container.

2. Attach Disk
   Disks come with holes drilled in middle to fasten them onto the mold. The wood or plastic mold can be purchased from a supplier or you can take a round 12 inch food container and drill a hole in the center of the bottom. Turn the mold so that the bolt to attach the disk is up. Put the bolt through the disk and into the hole on the mold. Snug the bolt firmly but do not over tighten.

3. Shaping & Fastening Staves to Disk
   Using scissors, cut laminate or flat/round reed to 8 inches in length. Taper the staves using scissors or Stanley knife from mid-stave to one end by cutting off 1/8 inch on each side of the stave so that the tapered end is 1/4 inch wide. The stave will be 1/2 inch from the other end to the middle. Sand the edges smooth.
   To attach the stave to the disk, soak the staves for 30 minutes in hot water. Dip the 1/4 inch end in a bit of Elmers glue. Insert the glued end into the groove on the edge of the disk. Be sure the round side is away from the mold if you are using flat/round reed. You may also need to sand flat/round reed thinner to fit in the groove. Use a rubber band to hold the staves to the mold. Ensure that there is an odd number of staves. The reason for this will become obvious while weaving. Do not overcrowd the staves. There should be approximately 1/16 to 1/8 inch between staves. There may be some variation from the top of the basket to the bottom. Do not worry about perfect spacing. Ensure that staves are vertical on the mold.

4. Weaving
   Weaving is the most pleasurable step to making a Nantucket basket. Soak weavers (common cane) in warm water for 5 minutes before weaving. Soaking weavers makes it gentler on your hands. To start the first weaver, tuck it into the disk grove between staves with the shiny or outside of the weaver away from the mold. The weaving is extremely simple. Remove the rubber band holding the staves against the mold and draw the weaver under the stave next to where it is tucked into the disk groove. Go over the next stave, under the next, and over the next, etc. Repeat this weaving pattern until the weaver runs out. Cut the end of the weaver to end half way across the width of a stave. To start the next weaver, tuck it under the first weaver 3 stave away from where the first one ended. The new weaver will hold down the end of the first weaver, making the end of one weaver and start of the next almost invisible. Pretty cool, eh!? Weave until you are 1/2 inch from the top of the basket. Let the weavers dry, then remove the basket from the mold. Fill hole with wood putty.

5. Making and Fastening Rims
   Cut half round 1/2 inch rims to approximately 4 inches longer than the circumference of the basket at the top. Cut the outside rim 1 inch longer. Taper the underside (flat side) 4 inches from the end to the end. Taper the other end (round side) 4 inches from the end to the end. Soak inside and outside rims in hot water overnight. Wrap outside rim with flat side against the mold. Wrap the inside rim with round side against the mold. Use big rubber bands to hold onto the mold overnight. Glue tapered ends of dry rims by overlapping the 4 inches of tapered ends. Use small clamps or clothes pins while drying.
   Remove the clamps from the rims and fit rims to the basket staves. It may require some sanding to get a perfect fit. Rims should be tight and can be glued or nailed into place with small brads. Drill 2 holes through the rim on opposite sides for the handle fastener.

6. Binding the Rim
   Take a weaver and wrap it 3.5 times around the basket. Cut it to length. Soak it in warm water for 10 minutes and begin binding the rim. Insert the weaver between 2 staves from under the rim. Draw the weaver up and over the rim and between the next 2 staves. Repeat this until you go all the way around the basket. Put a dab of glue on the underside of the weaver after binding all the way around the rim and tuck the glued end into several weavers on the side of the basket.

7. Preparing the Handle
   Drill holes in the ends of the handle after you cut it to the length that looks best to you. Drill holes 1/2 inch from the ends of the handles for the fasteners. Sand the handle.

8. Polyurethane Finish
   Put a light coat of gloss polyurethane on the handle and basket inside and out. The handle and bottom disk may need sanding and another coat for smoothness. Be sure to vacuum all the dust and small strings before applying the poly. I use tweezers to get all the fine strings off the basket. You may also want to inscribe the bottom of the disk with you name and the date you made the basket before poly.

9. Fastening the Handle
   Using the fasteners from your supplier, attach the handle to the basket. The bone knob is outside the handle, followed by the handle, then the bone washer, then the basket and washer & nut on the inside. A peaned brass escutcheon pin looks better but is far too complicated for this article.

10. Finishing Touch
    I like to attach a red ribbon and put a shiny penny in my baskets. Your basket will become a cherished family heirloom. You may also want to consider making and selling baskets for income. In any case, you will enjoy your basket and you should feel proud of your accomplishment.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is intended for beginners. Most of the fabricated items purchased can be made in a woodworking shop by someone with moderate woodworking skills. This is even more fun. Compare it to the satisfaction of baking a scratch cake to one out of the box.
• Please be careful using sharp tools. It is far easier to weave baskets with all you fingers intact. Thank you. Sincerely, Jean Frenette, The Nantucket Dream Weaver

[jeanfrenette]

on 7/31/2009 Enjoy weaving your Nantucket Basket.