8" Round Cattail basket

This basket is made by first creating a circular ring of 8 folded over cattail leaves tied to a piece of waxed hemp twine. The cattail leaves are twined to create the base. More cattail leaves are folded over and then twined to added a fuller look to the base. The cattail leave base is set on its side to create the twined sides. New leaves are added to the leaves twining the base and sides for a continuous weave. The rim consists of two different woven weaves. The back is woven with waxed hemp twine. The front takes one spoke and weaves it behind the next two.

Melon Basket

This 8" melon basket consists of 2 oak rings (one for the rim and the other the handle), the ribs, a gods eye, and the weavers. Weavers are woven around the two oak rings to create the gods eye. The ribs are initially inserted into the gods eye and the weavers woven in an over/under pattern. Additional ribs are added later and the weavers are woven through all of the ribs to create the desired shape.

The weavers are 3/8" flat oval reed and are walnut dyed. The weave is continuous, including weaving over the rim, with new weavers added underneath the previous weaver for a continuous weave.

Looking at the inside of the basket.

Side view showing the gods eye

Potato Basket

This is a 10" diameter potato basket. The ribs are made of reed and are carved to a point at each end to fit into the initial woven area around the 3 main ribs and other weavers to create the form. The material is walnut dyed 1/4" flat reed. The rim is a 10" oak ring. The initial three ribs were carved at the top and secured at the rim using waxed hemp thread. Handles are part of the weave shown as open areas based on picture #2.

Side view showing the initial three ribs attached to the rim

Side view showing the handles

View looking into the basket

Field Basket

This round field basket is 11" diameter at the base and 12" at the rim. It is 12" in height. The spokes are 3/4" and the weavers are 1/4". The rim (inside and out) is of 1/2" flat round.
Cattail cordage has been woven into the center of the basket. A red chain design is added at the bottom and top. Cattail cordage is also added into the rim. It took me 2 days to make because of creating the 3 cattail cordage pieces. I had previously dyed the red material used for the chain design and the black walnut stained material use for the spokes and weavers. I did dip them again to get a darker color (also the reason for the additional time to finish). The handles are of oak.  

Adding the cattail cordage

Cordage I made to weave into basket

The finished basket

The inside view of the basket

The base of the basket

Bean Pot Basket

Big enough to hold a small kettle of beans.

8" diameter twined bottom. Wire handle.
Material used: #2 round reed to twine bottom. 3/8" reed for spokes. 3/16 flat over for lashing of the rim. Rim: 1/2" flat.
 Dyed - chemical dye - black walnut

This is a quick and easy basket to make. It can also have a closed notched wooden handle instead of the wire handle.

Side view of bean pot

Base bottom

Top view of bean pot basket

9" Candle basket

Dimensions: 5" x 4" base, 6" diameter at the rim; 9" tall

Material: walnut dyed and chemical dyed (blue and red) splints

Handle: hand carved from the mulberry tree out front- very rustic. I think I am going to wrap it.

This basket gave a bit of a problem at the beginning since the weave is not continuous. You will notice that the front splays out like it has a bit of a pot belly.

Front of basket

Side of basket

View from the top

Self paced course

 

I currently am working on developing self paced course presentations relating to basket terminology and design preparations of a basket. I hope to have a sample available soon