How to Weave a Willow Basket?

I thought it was complicated but it was my 7-year-old daughter who showed me the method 🙂 She learned it at a summer camp on the seaside last summer. She was so proud and happy with her basket… well the animator had helped a little, but it doesn’t matter. 🙂

Here’s our basket after 2-3 weeks – it has dried well and turned into a miniature garden.

It’s good for putting things in (though the branches chip a little).

Take 5 long willow twigs and tie them in the middle as shown.

Start weaving other twigs around the centre – above one vertical twig, then below the next one. To make the weaving easier and get a bowl shape, tie the tops of the branches together with a piece of string.

Intertwine every twig so it wouldn’t unravel easily. From time to time push the woven part down to make it thicker.

When you decide you’re ready, untie the top parts of the vertical branches that served as your warp. Tie each twig along the rim so you won’t have to cut it. This will also make your rim thicker.

Put a heavy object in the middle. This will make the base of your basket sturdier when it dries (in 2-3 weeks).