How To Master The Art Of Basket Weaving

Basket weaving is weaving of unspun vegetable fibers. Baskets can be made of different materials like wood, leaf, vine or any other fiber that can be fashioned into any desirable shape. Basket weaving is an extremely satisfying and relaxing activity that allows you a free flow of all your creative juices. The end product in form of a basket gives you a lot of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

According to archeologists the oldest known baskets are probably 10,000 to 12,000 years old and found in Egypt. Basket weaving has changed its forms, materials, techniques, over these years. Conventionally, basket makers used to gather and then prepare their own raw materials. But you may also purchase your materials. Reed is the most commonly used material for basket weaving. With changing times, flat reed has been replaced by other materials like oak, hickory splits, cedar, willows, cattail and ash.

There are generally basic five types of basket weaving. The first is the coiled basketry that generally uses rushes and grasses. A bunch is stitched in a spiral oval or round shape. The second type of basket weaving known as Plaiting uses those materials that are ribbon like and wide like yucca or palms. Similar materials are plaited together and the pattern can be checker or crossed. The third type is twining that uses elements from roots and tree bark. In this type two or more materials are made to encircle another base material. Wicker and Splint baskets use materials like cane, reed, oak, willow and ash.

The origin of names of different types of basket has always been controversial. In earlier times, baskets were typically named according to their uses or according to the region in which they were prepared. A fascinating fact about the centuries old craft of basket weaving is that, though many other such similar crafts have become mechanized, till date, no one has ever created a machine that can weave baskets. They still continue to be handmade even in the most mechanized countries. In fact, no one has even been able to improve the original and most basic procedure of basket weaving.

Today, basket weavers range from the perfectionist who still cut their own trees to make the customary practical baskets, to the artist-cum-basket weavers, who are more interested in the art of weaving and their attention is more on aesthetic sense of the baskets and who use every material you can imagine that range from unusual stuff like horsehair to the commonly used reeds and bamboos. Beginners on basket weaving should experiment with the different types of techniques and materials and then in due course settle down on one or two preferred methods or styles.

Basket weaving can be quite addictive. It is a great way to express your creativity and is quite a fascinating as well as absorbing job. The best reward of basket weaving is when you gift them to a loved one and receive a lot of compliments in return.