Baskets woven from willow twigs are very durable. They are all created by hand, and you need to have a certain skill and theoretical knowledge in order to weave a truly high-quality basket with your own hands. In this master class we will show you how to do it.
To make a basket from willow twigs you will need:
- willow shoots;
- pruner
Step 1. Willow shoots for making a basket must be collected of high quality. It's not difficult to check. It is enough to bend the rod at an angle of 90 degrees. If it springs back and returns to its previous position, you can safely put it aside as material for the basket.
Step 2. The willow twigs must be dried. To do this, they should be placed in a dry place and left for several weeks. Before work, they will need to be slightly moistened again. If the twigs are without bark, a couple of hours will be enough, but twigs with bark should be soaked for about 4 days.
Step 3. To create a small basket you will need to cut 8 large and equal length rods. In this case, the length of the blanks was 30 cm.
Step 4. Make a 5 cm long cut in the center of the four prepared rods.
Step 5. Insert the remaining four rods into the slots made.
Step 6. Take two thin and long willow rods and insert them into the slots.
Step 7. Braid the warp rods with the first two circles. To do this, entangle thin branches around, drawing them parallel to each other from below and above and crossing them at the end of the stripes.
Step 8. Divide the warp rods in the form of a fan and begin to braid each of them in a manner already known to you.
Step 9. Gradually add new rods by inserting them into the previous ones.
Step 10. Weave the bottom of the basket in this way to the desired diameter. In this case it was 20 cm.
Step 11. To form the walls of the basket you will also need thick willow twigs. Insert them one at a time into the existing weaves around the large bottom rods. Cut off the ends of the latter with pruning shears.
Step 12. Bend the rods of the side walls of the basket up and secure them by tying them with ribbon to make it easier to knit the basket further.
Step 13. Insert thinner rods into the base of the basket and, using the technique already familiar to you, begin to braid the basket with them, forming a product of the height you need.
Step 14. To form the edge of the basket, bend the thick rods, weaving them with thinner ones into a braid.
Step 15. Cut off the excess twigs with pruning shears.
Step 16. If you wish, you can also make a handle for the basket. To do this, insert a flexible and dense rod into the holes in the weaving of the side walls of the basket, having previously sharpened its ends.
Step 17. Take several thinner rods, secure them in the side walls of the basket and braid them around the handle.
Step 18. Braid the handle again with the same number of rods, passing them into the resulting gaps.
Step 19. Bend the thin rods of the handle upward and braid them on each side with a thin rod, wrapping it in tight turns and passing the end in the opposite direction.
Willow baskets are ideal for collecting and storing mushrooms and berries, fruits and vegetables, and other things that are found on the farm. In addition to being a wonderful addition to the interior, willow baskets can be used as an additional source of income. If you would like to get such a basket in your home, but have never done wicker weaving before, read this master class on weaving large or small baskets from natural willow, which is just right for beginners.
First, we need to know some words that are used in weaving. First, the rods that radiate out from the center of the bottom of the basket are called spokes. Next, when you bend these rods upward to begin weaving the walls, they are called uprights. Actually, only these two terms should be known in order to understand what is being said in our master class.
Weaving a willow basket with a description for beginners
Collection and preparation
Willow twigs can be found in rural areas, but if it is not possible to visit a village or village, you can order willow twigs through special online stores. If you nevertheless decide to collect willow branches yourself, then you need to know a few secrets so as not to make a mistake. Firstly, the willow branch must bend 90 0 without breaking. Second, the best willow branches often have red or orange bark.
After we have collected the rods, we need to dry them thoroughly. If this is not done, the basket will very quickly lose its shape. Before starting weaving, thoroughly soak the willow branches; this promotes greater flexibility, which is undoubtedly a huge advantage when weaving baskets and other things from willow branches.
To create baskets from willow branches we will need:
- Secateurs
- Ready willow branches
As you can see, there are very few materials, and besides, they can be found in almost any home.
Our master class will use the classic technology of weaving willow baskets. Almost all masters weave using this technology, sometimes adding their own elements that are not very different from the data.
First we will learn how to weave the bottom of a basket. For this we need eight rods, in four of which we make holes. We insert the other four twigs into these holes.
Now we need to select the two thinnest willow twigs to start weaving the bottom. We insert their ends into the slots of the slot so that one rod is on top of the four rods of the cross, and the second is below.
Next, we begin to braid four knitting needles with two thin rods. We weave so that they change places, i.e. the twig that was initially on top, after braiding the second four knitting needles with it, will be on the bottom. And the one that was below will therefore be on top. We continue to weave two rows like this.
Now we braid one knitting needle at a time with the same thin rods, bending them evenly so that it looks like a wheel. We continue to weave like this.
If you notice that your thin twigs are running low, they will need to be extended. In order to extend the twig, you need to take another, equally thin one, sharpen the end and insert it between the twigs of the last two rows. Then carefully cut the old rod and continue weaving. We advise you not to extend two rods at once; it is better to extend the first one first, and after a row of weaving, the second.
After weaving a few more rows, we move on to the simple weaving method, i.e. you simply go around the outside and inside of the knitting needle with a twig. But in order to start weaving like this, we need to add another knitting needle. There is nothing complicated about this, just place it between the twigs of the last two rows using an awl or a thick nail. Continue weaving in this way until you get the desired bottom size.
If the bottom suddenly becomes concave, do not be alarmed, this is even good, as it will give the basket stability. To get a concave bottom, simply press on the knitting needles while weaving.
Now we begin to weave the walls of the basket. We take 17 willow shoots and insert them into the weave along each knitting needle. Please note that it is best to insert it so that the concave side of the branch faces down.
Carefully cut off the ends of the old twigs and take a new stand. We bend it to the left, then down under two adjacent twigs. Then we turn it upward. We do the same with subsequent rods.
Just twist the last two rods around the first posts and tie the posts on top to make it easier to weave and the rods don’t fall out.
Now we take three more rods and place them along three adjacent posts.
We bend the leftmost rod to the right in front of two posts and behind one third, then we return forward again. We do the same with the other two twigs. We weave two rows like this, now our racks are firmly fixed and will not fall apart if we untie them.
Next we weave the walls of the basket. To begin with, you need to add one thin twig to each rack. We place the rod behind the rack, then pass it forward, pass it behind the third rack and bring it forward again. Now you need to add the next rod and do the same steps. Add more twigs until you have covered the entire basket. Please note that at this stage you need to weave to the left.
One of the most popular types of needlework is weaving things from wicker and willow twigs. The information presented will be of particular interest to beginners who want to master this art form.
Brief overview of the article
The article will address the following questions:
- Collecting willow twigs and preparing them for further work.
- Important aspects that need to be mastered to be productive.
- Tools and devices that make it easier to weave willow baskets.
- The simplest and most popular weaving technique.
Having mastered weaving a willow basket with your own hands, you can touch an art that was valued in ancient times. In the distant past, vine branches were used to weave dishes of various shapes, make furniture and build roofs. Progress has taken away from modern man the warmth that is emitted by objects created with one’s own hands from natural materials.
Despite this, things made from willow branches continue to be popular among connoisseurs of beauty and luxury. Each product radiates warmth and a positive charge of solar energy, as well as the warmth of the master’s hand. Each item fits perfectly into any interior and complements it with its elegance and beauty. For this reason, every day there is an active growth of admirers who appreciate objects made from willow tree branches, especially weaving willow baskets. For beginners, this material will be especially useful.
Collection of willow rods and its preparation for further work
Willow is an unpretentious tree, so it grows on almost all continents and has numerous species and forms of growth. Almost every type of willow tree is suitable for weaving. The only thing that is important is to correctly collect the branches and prepare them for further work. It is necessary to harvest twigs between late autumn and early spring, because it is at this time that the sap flow in the tree stops. Visually, this is manifested by the absence of leaves in the fall and the absence of new buds in the spring.
For proper cutting, you will need a sharp pruner or a well-sharpened knife. Both thin and thicker tree branches are suitable for weaving. The rods to be cut should be as long as possible without branches. The optimal cut is at a slight angle; however, you cannot cut all the twigs from one branch - you need to leave 2-3 buds so as not to harm the tree. If everything is done correctly, pruning will not harm the willow; on the contrary, it will make it healthier.
Experienced craftsmen in weaving vines do not collect branches; they prefer to buy them in order to save time and effort, which will be needed for further fruitful creativity. Some weavers grow vines, but this is much less common. For beginners, it is better to assemble the rods on their own in order to understand all the intricacies of willow harvesting, as well as thoroughly study all the methods of weaving willow baskets.
For weaving, you can use both uncleaned and cleaned rods - it all depends on the further use. Unpeeled branches are used to weave baskets for collecting roots and berries, fences, and gazebos. Cleaned twigs are used to make more elegant things: flowerpots, home furniture, baskets. After a certain period of time, the cleaned twigs acquire a beautiful golden hue, which gives the product a special charm. Experienced craftsmen cut wide rods into 4 parts and at the end they get willow ribbons, which make very beautiful interior items.
How to properly clean branches?
Every beginner can clean the bars. To do this you need to know just one trick. Before you start cleaning, you need to cook the rods for 2 hours. It is better to use a cooking container according to the size of the rods, since the rods twisted into a ring will retain their shape, and the creative process will be long and labor-intensive. Immediately after cooking, you can start cleaning the branches. This process will be facilitated by a special tool – a pincer. If this tool is not at hand, you can do without it.
The only nuance in cleaning the rods with your own hands is that it is best to start peeling off the peel from the thick end. You need to clean the rods while they are wet. If you don't have time to clean the entire volume, just leave them in water to prevent the top layer from drying out. After cleaning all the rods, leave them to dry completely. It is best to do this procedure outdoors under the sun. You can arrange the finished rods by tying them by size, which will help in selecting the required length for making the product. After this preparation procedure, weaving willow baskets will become fun and easy.
Important aspects to know
After the rods are ready, you can start weaving. For beginners, it is best to start with training and try to weave the bottom. It is the bottom that is the main element of many woven things. The main thing to remember is that weaving willow baskets requires a lot of time and maximum perseverance.
Before you start weaving the bottom, you need to soak the selected rods in hot water for 15-20 minutes - this will make the material more elastic and make the craftsman’s work easier. It is worth noting that the better the branches are soaked, the less they will crack and break. During weaving, it is necessary to wet the wicker product to maintain its elastic properties.
Having mastered the process of weaving the bottom, you can begin more responsible work, for example, weaving a basket based on an already made bottom. The technique of weaving willow baskets is simple, so once you have mastered it, you can easily start making handles and bends. Be sure that each subsequent job will be better than the previous one, since the experience gained leads each beginner to master the skill.
Tools and devices to make working with vines easier
There is a minimum set of tools that is necessary for high-quality weaving:
- Garden pruners or a very sharp knife.
- Sharp large scissors.
- Large utensils for boiling and steaming willow twigs.
- Auxiliary equipment: pliers, tweezers and clothespins.
- Metal ruler and sharp pencil.
- Power tools: jigsaw and drill, as well as everything you need for their correct operation.
- Furniture varnish, stain and brushes.
All these tools are needed for weaving not only flowerpots and baskets, but also for making furniture and other large-sized products.
The simplest and most popular technique of weaving willow baskets
The algorithm and technology for weaving willow baskets consists of several stages:
- Weaving the bottom of the basket.
- Weaving the correct transition to the walls and walls of the basket.
- Weaving the edge of the basket.
- Handle weaving.
Weaving the bottom of the basket
Weaving the bottom of the basket begins with selecting the necessary rods. The ideal option would be to choose branches of medium length and thickness. For a classic bottom you need to take 8 rods. Make through slots in four and insert the remaining rods into the cut holes.
The created base must be braided with two thinner rods. Next, gradually bend the adjacent warp rods and braid everything one by one. Having finished braiding the first row, you should get 16 rays. The bottom for the basket has begun.
Thus, it is necessary to weave to the desired diameter.
Weaving the correct transition to the walls and walls of the basket
The transition of weaving from the bottom to the walls is the most difficult moment in creating a basket. To make the transition you will need 17 rods of medium thickness. Make sure they are even. If the thickest edge of the branch is cut straight, sharpen it. The sharp edge of each rod must be inserted adjacent to the rods of the bottom base. After this, the freshly inserted branches need to be bent, and those that were the base should be cut off without leaving a protruding end.
Thus, you will get 16 protruding rods located perpendicular to the bottom. The remaining rod needs to be threaded through a couple of sectors and weaving continues using the already familiar technique.
For beginners, it is best to choose classic willow basket weaving. The photo below shows the elementary nature of the weaving pattern, which will not cause any difficulties.
Weaving the edge of the basket
After the walls of the basket are woven, it is necessary to braid the edge correctly. There are many ways to braid an edge. The most basic method includes several steps. Each twig must be passed through the next two sectors in turn and pulled out before the next pair of twigs. This way you will get a beautiful and finished edge of the basket.
Having completed these manipulations, it is necessary to trim off the excess ends of the branches from the inside of the basket.
Handle weaving
Weaving the handle is the final stage in creating a basket. To make it you will need a thick flexible rod. Next, you need to measure the required length and cut off any excess at an acute angle. Next, you need to insert the ends of the branch into opposite sides of the finished base of the basket. Next, you need to wrap the base of the future handle with thinner branches. All that remains is to wrap the handles with thin rods and secure them at the end in a similar way.
This weaving technology is suitable for making any other items. Weaving oval baskets from willow is not much different from the classical technology, the only difference is what shape the bottom of the basket will be. The entire subsequent process remains unchanged. The main thing in making things from wicker is following intuition and imagination. Remember that weaving willow baskets is a very interesting and exciting process.
Even in ancient times, wickerwork (chairs, boxes, various baskets) made of willow vine were found at excavations, which means that this craft can be considered to have originated from those times. In later centuries, the craft developed and weaving from this same vine began to be much more diverse; more precisely, they began to weave all sorts of pieces of furniture, products needed in everyday life, things for interior decoration, and various weaving patterns were invented. Those who want to learn how to weave wicker with their own hands should read a step-by-step master class on how to quickly weave beautiful baskets from ordinary willow, which is just right for beginners.
In Russia, with the development of railway construction, wicker weaving also developed, mainly woven containers (boxes) for packaging transported goods. In the 20th century, entire factories were built with large areas of willow, making baskets, furniture and much more. At all times, people wanted to bring something natural into the house, which is why wicker products made from natural materials were so valued; it is believed that objects woven from natural wicker have their own favorable energy, which contributes to the creation of a cozy and harmonious home.
Before you start weaving, of course, you need to prepare the tools and material for weaving; preparing the material takes quite a lot of time. It is necessary to cut a large number of twigs from the vine, but not all of them, but only young shoots that can bend and not crack when bent, and remove the bark from them. If it is impossible to remove the bark, you will have to do another operation. The willow vine should be soaked, steamed or boiled in water. After all this, it is necessary to dry the material. But many now just want to do weaving, so they buy already prepared willow twigs, although it is more useful for beginners to learn how to prepare the twigs themselves, this will help in their work. It is also useful for beginners to weave more and more in order to feel the flexibility of the vine, and then during weaving there will be fewer rods breaking.
Willow basket weaving technology for beginners
This cute basket can be used both in the garden and in the forest, having only mastered the technology of weaving willow baskets. It is convenient to put the harvest of vegetables, fruits, berries or mushrooms in an oval-shaped basket; moreover, the air in it is well ventilated, which is useful for food, including on a picnic.
Before the work itself, be sure to soak a certain amount of vine, with a reserve, in water or wrap it in a wet rag so that the rods become flexible and do not crack during bending.
The weaving of the bottom must be made in the shape of an oval; for this you will need to form a cross shape from pieces of rods 4-7 mm thick: 1 rod with a length of at least 6 cm, 5 pcs. length at least 13 cm, 3 pcs. – 25 cm. Although, if you want to weave a larger basket, the rods can be taken longer and the quantity will therefore need to be increased.
First, you need to take the longest sticks and split them in the middle with a knife and an awl; this operation must be done carefully so as not to split the stick completely. Smaller sticks are inserted into the crack, distributed at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other and fastened for a tight fit with a thin rod, which braids the combined sticks crosswise. The shortest stick is also inserted from either side into the crack.
Now we begin to braid the cross with thin rods in the simplest way, threading the rod either from above the beam of the cross, or from below. You can also secure the braiding rod in a crack. During weaving, it is necessary to move apart the rods that are close to each other so that the distance between the axes of the base is made more or less equal.
The extension of the rod occurs as follows; it must be hidden between the already woven rows.
You need to weave enough rows so that the bottom is 15 cm by 25 cm in size. If the ends of the beams of the cross are still visible, they must be cut off.
Now, to create the future ribs of the basket, you need to insert rods similar in thickness (about 5 mm) to the cross rods, sharpening the ends for ease of insertion between the rows. The distance between the ribs must be made the same.
It is also necessary to weave several rows in order to weave the bottom of the basket to the required size (30 by 40 cm).
The edge of the bottom can be braided with a “rope” pattern, i.e. you need to take two twigs and braid them, putting one on top of the ray, the other under the ray, moving on to the next ray, changing places, the twig that was under the ray braids on top of the ray, and the one that was above braids on the bottom. You can take two twigs on each side, the braid will look more expressive.
How to weave the walls of a basket after the bottom? The ribs must be bent into a vertical position, fastening everything together. For spacers, you can use a metal circle larger than the bottom of the basket itself. You can secure the spacer with wire to the ribs so that it does not move or fall.
The weaving continues on the walls of the basket, in the same way as the bottom was braided, reaching the spacer with weaving, it can be removed, because the shape will already be formed and the ribs will not fall apart. The ends of the twigs can be brought out to the front side, at the end of the work they will be cut off, or for greater accuracy they can be hidden inside, from the back.
The basket is woven to approximately a height of 25 cm, and then the upper edge is braided: a rib is taken and the second and third rib are bent, the end is cut off and inserted behind the third rib inside between the rows of the wall to a depth of 6-7 cm.
A couple of ribs should not be cut off, but left for the handle of the basket.
The weaving of the handle must be reinforced with a thicker rod, which must first be twisted, and the ends of the rod must be sharpened so that it can be easily inserted into the rows of the wall.
And now the rod is braided with 5-6 thin rods, also inserted into the gap between the rows of the wall; the same action must be done on the other side of the handle with another 5-6 thin rods. The ends of the rods, brought out, must be wrapped around the handle, so to speak, braided and secured.
Basket weaving is gaining popularity. Now it has become fashionable to place furniture and other handmade items in your house or apartment. It’s especially nice when they are made with your own hands, and not purchased ready-made in stores. You shouldn’t start with complex products; it’s better to choose something simple. For example, weave a basket.
Basket weaving material options
To weave a basket, you can use different materials, including newspaper tubes and plastic bottles. But most often, willow twigs are used. They are pre-harvested and soaked in water or saline, which gives them elasticity. Willow twigs are used to create various products: lampshades, furniture and more.
Wheat or barley straws can also be used. It is quite flexible, so it is convenient to work with it. Products made from this material are airy and have a beautiful golden color.
Birch bark is also suitable for weaving baskets. This material is suitable for children's creativity. Thanks to the unique pattern of birch bark, the products are unique.
But it is from the vine that the most durable baskets are made, which can be used for various purposes.
Master's secrets and tools for weaving baskets
Before you start weaving with wicker, you need to prepare the following tools:
- knives - it is recommended to use a tool of medium length and width with a moderate blade sharpness;
Advice! The knife should be so sharp that it can freely cut thin and medium rods at an angle, but not damage the wood when clearing the bark.
- pliers - it is impossible to work with wire without this tool, although it is used infrequently;
- Phillips screwdriver - self-tapping screws are used to attach the handle to the hoop;
- marking pencil - some elements in the weaving process require preliminary marking;
On a note! It is not necessary to use special marking pencils that are intended for construction work; you can purchase ordinary stationery ones.
- ropes - necessary for tying bunches of vines and fixing some elements;
- base board - the entire work process takes place on it;
Advice! It is desirable that the board be made of hard wood.
- tape measure - needed to mark the hoop;
On a note! It is allowed to use a construction tape measure or an ordinary soft centimeter. You can even use a simple rope for these purposes, which is wrapped around the hoop and then measured with a ruler.
- sandpaper - intended for processing parts in order to give them roughness;
- brushes and varnish - it is advisable to varnish the finished product;
- wire - used to temporarily secure certain elements;
Advice! It is advisable to prepare a soft wire made of aluminum or copper, having a diameter of about 2 mm.
- self-tapping screws - designed for attaching the handle.
On a note! If a fabric handle is provided, there is no need for self-tapping screws.
The diagram below shows the main weaving methods
Step by step weaving a basket from a vine
A master class for beginners on weaving an openwork basket from wicker is presented below. The following steps are performed step by step:
The wicker basket is ready.
Video with lessons on weaving an openwork basket
The Kovalenko brothers became famous in this craft. Many videos have been created with their participation. Below are some of them.
Video: how to weave the bottom of a basket.
Video: how to weave a basket handle.
The lessons of wicker weaving are described in detail in the book by Sidorenko N.V., which is called “Basket Weaving”. The author offers a practical guide with a step-by-step description. Here are the basics for a novice craftsman: preparation, collection of material, weaving process, visual diagrams.
The book can be downloaded in electronic version.
Photos of handmade wicker baskets
Wicker baskets look attractive and are prized for their handcrafted quality.
Ribbons can be used as decoration.
Baskets like the one in the photo are suitable for laundry.
And these are suitable for storing or transporting onions or garlic.
A variety of options allows you to use baskets for different purposes.
Wicker weaving is an interesting activity. It is possible to weave different products, including packaging containers, lampshades or furniture. It is worth noting that they are not the lowest cost. Weaving with wicker requires patience and time, which should be appreciated.
