Introduction: This basket shows a wonderful way to make very sturdy baskets from very light materials, using the most basic basket weaves. Once mastered, more elaborate weaves can be laid onto the double wall framework. This basic technique was taught to me by a lady from Oklahoma who described it as “Cherokee double-wall”. I have not found this style described or shown in books or Internet searches. I would be thrilled to hear from anyone who has seen it or has questions about my instructions. mirhaxa@morktorn.com
The basket is started at the center of the base, or bottom, of the basket. The side of the basket on the interior is next, and then a turn at the top takes it down the outside of the basket back to the base.
For reference we will describe the arms of the initial spoke arrangement by compass directions, with the top, pointing-up arm being North, pointing-down arm South, to the left West, to the right East. The spaces between the arms will be NE (NorthEast), SE (SouthEast), SW (SouthWest), and NW (NorthWest). The side where the single weaver goes diagonally across the initial bundles of spokes (Fig. 5) is the face of the basket and will be towards you as you begin to weave. It will become the base, inside the bowl of the basket.
Materials: While many things can be used to weave with, I recommend starting with commercially produced rattan weaving supplies. The uniformity and smoothness will be easier to work with while concentrating on the learning process. They can be gotten in the basic cream color and dyed with silk dyes. Size two or three rattan is good for starting out.
Tools: Clothespins can be useful for holding things together while you soak the basket or take a break. An inexpensive awl is a heavy-duty bamboo barbeque stick, or a pointed Japanese style chopstick. Wire cutters or heavy scissors are good for trimming ends.
Spoke Length: There is a simple formula to determine how
long to cut the initial spoke reeds, if you know you want to make a particular
size and shape of basket.
S=D + 2H + 8”, which is the diameter of the base, plus twice the height,
plus 8 inches (20 centimeters). For a small first basket, try starting
with 24”-30” (60-76 cm) spokes.
Spoke separation: The above formula assumes the optimum spoke separation at the top turn and base finish of 0.5” to 1.25” (1.5cm-3cm). Much wider apart reduces the stability of the basket, and increases the fragility of the top and base turn loops. This is dealt with on larger diameter baskets by adding extra spokes partway through weaving the base.
Soaking: Reed basket making is a soggy activity. The in-progress basket and new weaver reeds must be soaked in water to remain pliable, generally for 3-5 minutes for size 2-4 reeds initially. The basket must be resoaked periodically; how often depends on local climate. If too dry, spokes and weavers will crack and break rather than bend. Always soak thoroughly before working the turn loops at the top and bottom of the basket. Too much soaking, however, will cause tiny hairs to lift on the reeds so only keep 2-3 strands soaking as you work, adding a new one to the water when you take one out to weave into the basket.
Replacing weavers: When adding new weavers on the inner wall of the basket, trim them to end on the outside of the basket, with the two ends of old and new weaver overlapping outside of the same spoke(see Fig. 13). The ends can be longer while getting started and trimmed later. Don’t pull too hard on the new weaver until it gets half to three quarters of the way around the basket from its adding point. For this reason try not to be adding a new weaver just as you are trying to turn up. To add weaver while going down the outside wall of the basket, overlap the ends behind the spoke as you weave around. This will hide all the ends of added weavers between the two walls of the basket.
Recommended books:
Wicker Basketry
Contemporary Wicker Basketry
Flo Hoppe
Flo Hoppe
Interweave Press 1989
Lark Books 1996
ISBN 0-934026-49-1
ISBN 1-887374-15-9
The Art of Basketry
Handmade Baskets
Kari Loning
Lyn Siler
Sterling Publishing 2000
Sterling-Lark 1992
ISBN 0-8069-7421-4
ISBN 0-8069-8362-0
Resources:
For basket supplies: www.inahandbasket.com
For dyeing supplies: www.dharmatrading.com