How to Prepare Basket Weaving Materials
Reed, also called rattan core, is the most common material used in home basket making. It is followed by cane, then willow, oak and ash. This group of materials is often called "wicker." Reed is strong yet pliable and can be woven by amateurs and experts alike. It comes in many widths and thicknesses. Aside from the reed, a basket can use wooden handles, bases, and decorative elements. These items generally come pre-manufactured and ready for use. Reed and most other basket materials must be soaked before they can be used.
Things You'll Need
- Reed
- Wooden base (optional)
- Wooden handle (optional)
- Decorative elements (optional)
Instructions
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1
Decide on what type of basket you wish to make. There are many patterns available on the market for a small fee or even for free. The pattern will indicate what size of reed and how much you need to purchase in order to make your chosen basket.
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2
Purchase pre-made handles and basket bottoms if desired. There is no preparation needed for these items other than having them on hand for the basket-making process to come.
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3
Go through your purchased bundle of reed and pick out any damaged or otherwise unattractive pieces. If only a piece of the reed is damaged, you can break it off and save the short pieces. These can be used for smaller sections of the basket like woven handles, or for filling in small places if a piece breaks while weaving.
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4
Wrap the reed into a coil and tie it loosely with a colorfast piece of string or yarn.
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Place the coiled reed into a bath of warm water. Be sure your string does not leak color into the water, since this could accidentally dye the reed. Allow it to soak for about 10 minutes or until the reed feels soft enough to bend without snapping. Remove from the water and weave the pieces immediately.
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Tips & Warnings
Cane uses the same preparation process as reed, but may take longer to soak.
Any unused reed or cane can be dried and saved for later. Simply re-soak it when you are ready to use it.
Don't let reed sit in the water for longer than it needs to soften. Sitting for an extended time could contribute to mold and slime growth and make the reed unusable.
