Exploring Basket Weaving: A Beginner's Guide to Coiled Baskets

Learn the basics of coil basket weaving and get started on your first project

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I’m here to introduce you fine folks to the world of basket weaving. This craft has a rich history, allows for immense creativity, and is approachable for never-ever beginners.

This week we’re kicking things off with a deep dive into one type of basketry: coiled basket weaving!

What is Coiled Basket Weaving and What Can You Make?

Basket weaving is an ancient craft. Many of us in the United States associate basket weaving with Native American culture, but most cultures have their own form of basket weaving that dates back centuries ago. In fact, we’ve found evidence of baskets dating back to 8,000 BC in Kenya.

Coiled Baskets are just one of many forms of basket weaving… so what’s so special about this particular technique?

To start, coiled basketry is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require many supplies to get started. It is also unbelievably relaxing once you get the hang of it! Plus, you can use a variety of mediums from pine needs to yarn to wire all to create a variety of projects — from baskets to coasters to mats.

Materials for Basket Weaving

The materials used can range from natural fibers such as grasses, reeds, and vines to synthetic materials such as yarns, fabrics, and even plastic.

To start, you’ll need the following essential basket weaving supplies:

• yarn, fabric strips or twine

• rope (similar thickness as a clothesline)

• scissors

• a sturdy darning needle (make sure the hole needs to be big enough for your material)

Basket Weaving Basics: Techniques for Coiled Basket Weaving

So, how do you “coil”?

Technically, coiled basket weaving doesn’t use a weaving technique. Instead, baskets are made by wrapping (i.e. coiling) a flexible material around a core, oftentimes a rope, and sewing the material together to form a structure.

Here’s a close-up of coiling courtesy of Creativ Company:

Don’t worry, the following projects all have their own tutorials so you can easily follow along.

Let’s coil!

Easy Basket Weaving Projects Using Household Items and Recycled Materials

Here are just a couple of ways you can get started making baskets with items around your house.

Basket Weaving with Rope and Yarn

I have plenty of left-over yarn from knitting projects so I’ve been working to reduce my stash by creating bowls and coasters using yarn and rope — specifically, a bundle of clothesline that I found while decluttering my laundry area.

Learn how to make your own yarn baskets with this tutorial:

Make Baskets with Salvaged Materials

Ready to get creative with your baskets? Turns out, pretty much any flexible material can be used for weaving.

Old t-shirts can be twisted into rope and you can even avoid fibers entirely and use item material like wiring!

Get inspired with this tutorial featuring bundles of wire:

Turn your old jeans into household baskets:

I haven’t tried this one yet, but now I have a use for the clothes I’m not wearing anymore yet aren’t in good enough condition to donate:

Coiled Basket Weaving Projects Using Natural Materials

Spring is on its way! Make sure to bookmark this next project — I can’t wait to start collecting natural materials for more crafts!

Pine Needle Baskets

Pine needle baskets have been found across the globe but they have a particularly strong presence in Native American and early American pioneer history. The Seminoles in the Florida region used pine needles in coiled baskets and the pioneers later learned the craft.

This form of basket weaving involves bundling pine needles (the longer, the better) and weaving them into a basket using a coiling method. Learn more with WildSheGoes basket weaving tutorial below:

Keep on Learnin’

• Learn more about pine needle baskets with Joybilee Farm

• Find out how artists today are innovating basket weaving using innovative materials and techniques here

Action Steps:

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