Basket Weaving for Beginners: The Coiling Technique

Basket Weaving for Beginners: The Coiling Technique

“Congratulations! You have reached the end of this Domestika course. Thank you for enrolling! I hope you've enjoyed learning more about basketry. I’m so delighted to be joined by a fellow basket maker. From the tall and colourful laundry baskets you spot in every household to the basket bags adorned by stylish women all year round, baskets are having their moment. Now, you can enjoy it! There's something rather special about basket-weaving. Making, trialing, failing, feeling, playing with textures and shapes, but most importantly forgetting about your to-do list; transforming raw materials into a functional object and choosing to embrace the mindfulness aspect of this is truly magical. Before you dip your toes (or should I say hands) into your project, let’s take a moment to recap the necessary steps to help you along the way.

• Gather your materials and tools.

Good or bad materials will make or break your relationship with basket-weaving. So, spend some time researching good quality supplies provided by your favourite brands and local haberdashery shop. Or, take a look at the forum to see the recommendations of other students.

• Create your mood board.

Allocate some time into gathering some references. Consider both digital and analogue options. What images, landscapes, shapes, words, and colours inspire you?

• Next, design your pattern.

Translate your ideas and colour palette into a pattern using the template grid I shared in Unit 3. If you’re feeling less adventurous, you can use some of the examples I provided in Additional Resources. But, remember to channel your own creativity. This is the time to bring that personal touch to your project!

• Let's start making!

Pick up your needle and yarn, then start with the base of your basket. Keep weaving until you reach your desired size. Remember to keep your yarn and rope away from each other – rope in one hand and yarn in the other – so they don’t get tangled! Start introducing your pattern, row after row, following the required colour changes. Remember that the twines are natural fibres with different textures that may differ in thicknesses. So, if you need to, adapt the number of wraps to make sure they align with the pattern.

• To finish, build the sides.

Shape your basket by placing the rope in the right place and using each stitch to hold it there. Place the rope directly on top of the previous round for straight sides, or in the middle for a more oval-shaped basket. When you’ve reached your happy height, cut the leftover rope and finish the basket with the yarn. Remember to take your time as you finish your basket and to keep all your leftover yarn for any future project! And that’s a wrap! I’m so excited to see your basket. So, don’t be shy to upload it to the forum by clicking the above link "Create your project". Remember to share both the final result and the steps that have led you to it. It would be great if you showed a picture of each step and added a brief explanation about what you have done in each one. Then, I can give you feedback. But most importantly, I’d love to see where you’ll be using your baskets. Will they be the centerpiece of your dining table or a wall feature perhaps? I loved making my project as a practical piece to be used for storage around the house, but also as a decorative object for my ever-evolving basket wall, a trend that is rapidly spreading. As a final note from me to you, be kind to yourself and be patient. Basket-weaving is a slow craft. There's no shortcut. It might take you a few days to complete your basket but if you choose to focus on loving the process as well as the results, you'll build a hobby that will provide joy throughout your life. Thanks again for taking part in this course. See you! ”

Partial transcription of the video

“Congratulations on reaching the end of this Learn to Make a Coiled Basket course. You've done so well and achieved so much. I'm so happy you chose to take this journey with me and learn about what I truly love to do. We began this course by learning about all the materials you needed to get going and then I introduce you to the coiling technique. Before we approach how to discover and define your own unique style, Then the fun started as we all got going on the final project, beginning with coiling the base. And remember, as you get started to keep your row and your twine separate. so they ...”

This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.

Course summary for: Basket Weaving for Beginners: The Coiling Technique

• Level: Beginner
• 99% positive reviews (213)
• 6486 students
• 4 units
• 15 lessons (2h 40m)
• 3 downloads

• Category

  Craft

• Areas

  Accessory Design, Arts & Crafts, Fashion Design, Fiber Arts, Textile Design