What You Need to Make Baskets
Making baskets is one of the oldest forms of crafts but today people are still continuing the tradition. It is a great way to pass the time and requires similar skills to knitting. What do you need if you want to start weaving a basket of your own?
For beginners, a kit could be useful as it will have all things needed to weave the basket, but this is not at all necessary. It is easier to work with the tropical reed and cane types of wood than American hardwood, so reed is recommended for a beginner weaver. Reed in two sizes will be needed to weave the basket and can be found at your local craft store. Number four and number six reeds are easy to work with. Along with the reed, a pattern with lots of illustration would be helpful as you begin to weave.
Most other supplies can be found at home. Make sure to have a supply of water and a bucked on hand as the reed will be dry and brittle and need to be soaked in warm water. Scissors will be used to cut the reed to size before and after you have finished weaving, and needle nose pliers will help to weave the reeds together. The needle nose pliers will help to weave the strands together, but wooden clothespins keep the reeds in place as you weave.
A good instructor or a class at a local craft store, library, or YMCA could be very useful when first starting to weave. In these classes you can collaborate with other weavers, share tips and tricks and learn from the instructor. The last thing you need to weave is time and patience and maybe a friend to take on the crafting adventure with you!
