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There are few arts with longer or more global histories than basket weaving.
Pre-dating pottery, baskets were useful for Neolithic hunters and gatherers.
Over the millennium, woven containers and furniture became important throughout global cultures for spiritual and aesthetic reasons.
A Thai woman weaves a bamboo basket. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom NUU_JEED/Shutterstock)
Today,basketryis an important and useful cultural practice in many societies.
There are countless materials which can be woven into containers of varying size and designs.
Basketry artists spend decades refining their craft, but basket weaving is also approachable and satisfying for beginners.
Egyptian basket, New Kingdom, Ramesside c. 1295–1070 BCE. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art[CC0 1.0])
Read on to discover the history of basketry and how you might start your own making baskets.
Explore the beautiful, diverse history of basket weaving which stretches back millennia on each continent.
An Early History of Basket Weaving
A Thai woman weaves a bamboo basket.
Tiwanaku basket from Bolivia, 6th–11th century. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art[CC0 1.0])
(Photo:Stock Photosfrom NUU_JEED/Shutterstock)
The earliest potential evidence ofwoven basketsdates back to circa 25,000 BCE.
Archeologists discoveredStone Age clay imprintsof tightly woven material at the ancient Pavlov site in the Czech Republic.
While the exact use of the woven material is unclear, the technology for basketry was clearly known.
Straw hats for sale in Zambia. (Photo: © Hans Hillewaert viaWikimedia Commons[CC BY-SA 4.0])
Outside of the U.S., examples of Chinese bamboo baskets have been found to be over 7,000 years old.
Egyptian basket, New Kingdom, Ramesside c. 12951070 BCE.
Baskets used throughout the Roman Empire came in a hugevarietyof shapes and sizes.
Mid-20th century basket with lid from Borneo, in raffia and tin, unknown artist. (Photo:Yale University Art Gallery)
It is impossible to fully characterize the diverse body of ancient and historical baskets.
Across cultures,materialsandtechniquesvaried with the environment and needs of each individual weaver.
Basket Weaving Today
Tiwanaku basket from Bolivia, 6th11th century.
An example of a coiling technique. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom NUNTARAT EKSAWETANANT/Shutterstock)
Among the diverse traditions, many weavers have incorporated non-naturalrecycled materials.
TheZulu peopleof South Africa use colorful coated telephone wireas well as copper wireto weave stunning, bright pieces.
Traditional materials and methods also continue to be an important art form.
A basic example of the weaving method of basketry. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom SUKPAIBOONWAT/Shutterstock)
Straw hats for sale in Zambia.
(Photo:Stock Photosfrom NUNTARAT EKSAWETANANT/Shutterstock)
Manynatural fiberscan be bent and used to craft stunning pieces.
But ultimately, the materials used will depend on style and function.
Weavers in Bali. The woman on the left appears to be using a plaiting method. (Photo:Stock Photosfrom IRYNA RASKO/Shutterstock)
A basic example of the weaving method of basketry.
We will briefly discuss thefour most common: coiling, plaiting, twining, and weaving.
Examples ofcoiling techniquescan be seen in indigenous American baskets as well as those ofweaversin Uganda and Rwanda.
Kid’s Basket Weaving Kit| $11.95
This technique involves a continuous core of grass, rushes, or pine needles.
This bang out is sometimes referred to assplint baskets.
The results can vary according to the plaiting method of the weaver.
Weaving basket from the Chancay culture of Peru, 12th–14th century. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art[CC0 1.0])
Twining methodsof basketry also involve a skeleton of stakes which structures the basket.
Two different flexible materialsuch as cord, branches, or barkare theweavers(weaving strands).
The strands alternate which is visible from the outside of the vessel at each stake.
Oneida lidded basket, c. 1860. (Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art[CC0 1.0])
The last method is simplestweavingone strand of weaver alternatively back and forth through the stakes of the basket.
The woman on the left feels like using a plaiting method.
Next, line up your supplies.
The materials you need will be determined by the throw in and style of basket you are making.
A basic plaited design is a good place to start your basket-weaving journey.
For this, you will need basketcane or reed.
If you are building from scratch, this greattutorial from Design Spongewill get you started.
There are also many kits if you would love a pre-packaged set to try first.
ThisCape Cod Blueberry Basket Kitis an adorable place to start plaiting.
To try weaving, thisBread Basket Weaving Kitproduces the perfect kitchen accessory.
There are also perfect kid-friendlybasket weaving kitsso the whole family can get in on the fun.
Looking to try the coiling method?This video tutorialteaches you to make colorful baskets with craft-storeraffia.
Weaving basket from the Chancay culture of Peru, 12th14th century.
(Photo:The Metropolitan Museum of Art[CC0 1.0])
Oneida lidded basket, c. 1860.
