Basket Weaving Crafts

Basket-Weaving
CRAF TS

22 Home Decorating Projects Using Basket-Making Techniques

“Basket-Weaving
Crafts is an excellent
book . . . the perfect rst
basket book and a valuable
reference for the experienced

basket weaver.”

—SHARON DUGAN,
award-winning member of the
National Basketry Organization

VIRVE BOESCH

Project Team (French Edition) Contents
Editorial Director: Thierry Lamarre
Editor: Flore Beaugendre 8 Basket-making basics
Project Design/Construction and Step-by-Step Directions: 10  Reed/rattan
12  Tools
Virve Boesch 14  Preparation
Photography: Richard Boutin 16  Traditional structure
Step-by-Step Photography: Virve Boesch 18  Basic technique
Proofreader: Isabelle Misery 20  Side walls
Cover, Design, and Layout: Either Studio / Sylvain Kaslin 24  Bases
29  Borders and connectors
Project Team (English Edition)
Translator: Ulatus 34 Projects
Editor: Colleen Dorsey
Designer: Wendy Reynolds 128 Index
Indexer: Jay Kreider
Starter projects
La vannerie pas à pas © 2018 by Éditions Massin, collection
Savoir & Faire - Société d’Information et Créations (SIC) 36  Storage 40  Serving tray
© 2019 Fox Chapel Publishing
container
All rights reserved. Basket-Weaving Crafts is an unabridged
translation of the 2018 version originally published in French
by Éditions Massin under the title La vannerie pas à pas in
France. This version published by Fox Chapel Publishing
Company, Inc., 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the copyright holders.

ISBN 978-1-4971-0050-3

Library of Congress Control Number:2019946161

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Printed in China
First printing

Because working with weaving materials and tools inherently
includes the risk of injury and damage, this book cannot guarantee
that creating the projects in this book is safe for everyone. For this
reason, this book is sold without warranties or guarantees of any
kind, expressed or implied, and the publisher and the author disclaim
any liability for any injuries, losses, or damages caused in any way by
the content of this book or the reader’s use of the tools needed to
complete the projects presented here. The publisher and the author
urge all readers to thoroughly review each project and to understand
the use of all tools before beginning any project.

44  Hanging planter 50  Mirror frame

Stake and strand projects

56  Trivet 60  Wall organizer 64  Shopping basket 70  Round handbag

Openwork projects

78  Bird feeder 82  Lantern 88  Bicycle basket 92  Hanging
Creative projects
lampshade

Ideas for leftover rattan

98  Magazine rack 104  Side table 108  Folding screen 114  Deco hearts 116  Angular art

118  Plant holder 120  Serving set 122  Deco stars 124  Fan 126  Picture frame

Tools

Basket making is a manual activity—your hands will be your most important tool! You can start
with the basic tools and add more pieces to your collection later. You will find many of these tools
in general craft stores, but some of the more specialized basket-making tools may only be carried by
basket-making shops or suppliers.

Basic tools Additional tools

• A basin large enough to soak the rattan/ • A reed measuring tool (12) or gauge allows you to
reed weavers. check the diameter of round reed.

• A spray bottle to constantly keep the work wet. • A peeler is used to cut protruding weavers flush.

• Towels (1) to wipe the work and protect you • A small billhook (8) or pruning knife is a tool with
from water. a wooden handle and curved blade used to cut, split,
and notch rattan/reed.
• A pair of pruning shears (6) or a peeler to cut
the weavers. Alternatively, you can use a pair of • A reed packing tool (5) is a heavy tool used to pack
cutting pliers. the work to tighten the finished weave.

• An awl (9) can be purchased in various sizes to part • Pliers (11) help to bend the spokes.
the weavers and make holes.
• A weight placed on the base of an object stabilizes
• A ruler (13) or a measuring tape (14) measures the object while working.
your weavers and controls the proportions of the
object to be made. • Templates, made with wood, nails, and a hammer,
can shape an object.
• A pair of scissors (10), paper, pens (4), clips (7),
paintbrushes (3), masking tape (2), and other Optional material
household supplies will help you with sketches and
decorative finishes. • A premade plywood base, wooden or metal
hoops, and/or a structure or frame, such as a
vase, can give your work a defined shape.

• Wooden beads, leather straps, etc., can enhance
your creations.

12 ✦  Basket-Weaving Crafts

5

6

1

34
2

7

8 10 13
11
12
9 14



Basic technique

In this section, we will learn different weaving techniques as well as how to make bases and borders.
Before putting these techniques into practice, it is important to know some essential tips that will
allow you to work neatly and carefully.

Working posture one weaver in front of and behind the spokes. Hold
the weaver in place with your left hand, your fingers
The main tools of basket makers are their hands. Good spread and placed between the spokes. Use your left
hand positions and consistent movements are essential fingers to guide and separate the spokes and to pack
to create a regular weave and to give the desired shape the rows after each pass with the weaver. Return
to an object. The goal is to ensure that the spokes do your hands to their original positions to continue
not bend to the left or right—that they stay straight. with the weaving. If you are left-handed, reverse
The spaces between the spokes must also remain these instructions.
uniform so that the horizontal weavers can be passed
between them. To make it easier for you, you can also create foam
or wooden frames to guide the spokes and maintain
As a general rule, the left hand is used to guide the the shape of the object.
spokes and the right hand manipulates the weavers.
With your right hand and slight tension, start weaving

18 ✦  Basket-Weaving Crafts



Storage container | instructions

7. To change to a new weaver as 8. Continue weaving with the black 9. Weave 47 rows in total or until
needed, follow the instructions on reed. If you wish, you can alternate you reach the desired height.
p. 19. black and natural reed strands.

10. Soak the spokes and cut them 11. Create a simple hoop border 12. Repeat with all the spokes.
to about 13/4" (4.5cm) from the edge (see p. 30) but with added beads. Let dry before cutting any
of the weaving. Thread a bead on a spoke, bend protruding weavers.
the spoke, and slide the end down
beside the next spoke.

Starter projects | Storage container  ✦ 39















Lantern | instructions

1. Base: Cut the sticks and soak them. Cross them 2. Carefully separate the sticks into bundles
in the middle in the shape of a star as shown. All the of two exactly as shown and tape the bundles
sticks should be in groups of three and weave through together temporarily.
the other groups as shown.

3. Soak a long weaver. Bend it in half around a single 4. Continue the pairing for another two rounds. Insert
stick as shown at the upper right. Start weaving with the ends of the weaver into the body of the weave
pairing around the pairs of sticks, ensuring that they and trim them flush. The base you create here should
are evenly spaced (see p. 22). correspond to the size of the bottom of the glass vase;
add more rows of pairing if necessary.
84 ✦  Basket-Weaving Crafts









“I nstructions for the unique projects are Weave Your
not intimidating and allow for individual Way to Stylish
creativity. The variety of woven objects
from simple to more complex will Décor
inspire both novice and experienced
basketmakers.” If you’ve ever wanted to make full baskets but it felt too
intimidating, Basket-Weaving Crafts is the gateway to
— JOANN KELLY CATSOS, award-winning creating modern masterpieces with techniques steeped
basketmaker and teacher in tradition! Perfect for both beginner and advanced crafters,
anyone can enjoy working with natural materials to create
more than 20 useful, decorative, and artistic objects. From
trays and wreaths to magazine racks and bird feeders,
each gorgeous project includes easy-to-follow instructions,
coordinating high-quality photography, and helpful tips and
tricks. Even if you’ve never tried this timeless craft before,
this approachable how-to book is proof that now is the time!

◆◆ Understand the basic basket-weaving tools, materials, and
techniques

◆◆ Follow step-by-step instructions to create 22 contemporary
crafts that progress in difficulty

◆◆ Try your hand at different basket-weaving styles, like classic
stake and strand basket making and openwork weaves

◆◆ Decorate your home with stunning wreaths, mirrors, lanterns,
trivets, serving trays, wall décor, planters, and so much more

$17.99 US | $21.99 CAN

ISBN: 978-1-4971-0050-3

EAN 51799

9 781497 100503