Natural Basket-Weaving Materials

Baskets can be made from many natural materials.

Wicker is only one of many natural materials that can be used to weave baskets. Stems from willow trees, a variety of grasses, reeds, pine needles and even vines can be used to weave beautiful and sturdy baskets. Basket-weaving has a long and rich history that dates back tens of thousands of years and began out of a practical need for containers to store and transport items. Baskets are are also crafted by skilled artisans for use as decorative items that are beautiful as well as functional.

Willow

The willow is a fast-growing tree with long, slender stems that grow from the branches. Some varieties are stiff enough to use for making furniture, fences and sculpture. Basket weaving with willow stems dates back to the Roman empire, when the Britons, who were well-known for their basket-making skills, always chose willow over other materials. To use willow in basketry, the stems should be about one year old (the tree they come from will be older) and gathered during the dormant season, which runs from autumn to late winter. This means that the stems will be slightly flexible, yet woody enough to create a sturdy basket.

Grasses

In the 17th century, American slaves in South Carolina wove circular baskets that they used for winnowing the rice they picked from the plantation paddies. In their early basket-weaving efforts, the slaves used rush plants, white oak and palmetto to make the baskets. In present day, sea grass is more commonly used because it makes softer baskets. As grass baskets evolved over the centuries, their purpose shifted from a simple, utilitarian-focused aesthetic to one that is more decorative in nature.

Reeds

When British settlers arrived in North America, reeds were some of the first native species that they used for baskets. Reeds are stiff and sturdy, but flexible enough to use for plaiting, twining and even coiling techniques. Some popular varieties of reeds used for weaving baskets include the cattail, bulrushes and canary grass.

Pine Needles

Weaving baskets from pine needles is a tradition that dates back to pre-Columbian Native Americans. Pine needles are plentiful throughout North American forests and they make sturdy and pleasantly scented baskets. The best needles for basket weaving are those that are long and flexible, such as the ones that come from the Ponderosa Pine and Long Needle Pine trees. Needles from these trees can be anywhere from 6 to 15 inches long. This length makes them ideal for weaving into baskets using the coil technique.

Vines

Native North American vines were used to replace the willows that were often used for basket making in England. European settlers in North America adapted the craft to include native species of vines that had similar characteristics to the willow. Rib baskets (also called egg baskets) are created with grapevine, honeysuckle, Virginia creeper, bittersweet, coralberry, wisteria and other woody vines. The best vines to use for basket weaving are ones that are new but not too green. They should be a year old and slightly woody but still flexible.

References

• The Book of English Trades, and Library of the Useful Arts; Richard Phillips; 1818
• North By South: The Sea Grass Basket Tradition
• Basketmaking: Natural Materials For Basketry, Cattail
• Mother Earth News: Make a Pine Needle Basket

Resources

• National Museum of African Art: Rice and Baskets Post Civil War to Present
• Country Seat: Basket Weaving Tips
• Basket Makers: Pine Needle Basketry Supplies
• Basketweaving.com: Gathering Natural Materials