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Basket Weaving: Materials, Patterns, Supplies And Kits
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Published: September 13, 2007
Basket weaving started as a tradition passed from mother to child in the Native American culture. It is a primitive art form of great significance, arising out of the Native American nomadic lifestyle. Native American women needed to find a solution for storage during their travels. Baskets became the easiest solution because of the ease of carrying them; it also helped Native Americans were well educated in the tradition of basket weaving.
Baskets are made with raw materials from plant fibers. They include roots, cane, twigs and grasses. The most popular materials used in basket weaving are reeds, raffia and willow. Willow is the most typically used of all the plant fibers because it can be dyed very easily. Other raw materials used in basket weaving are the vegetable dyes that add color to baskets and wood for solid bottoms and handles. The basket designs are determined on the types of fibers used in the construction of the basket. Fibers are available in three shapes: round, flat or flexible. Each fiber has distinct uses in terms of weaving. Round fibers are easily woven around other round designs. The flat fibers can be woven or twisted according to design preferences. Flexible fibers wrap around each other, forming coils. These fiber shapes are crucial to a basket's design and dependent on which basket pattern technique is used.
Basket weaving is achieved through four basic techniques or patterns. They are wicker, plaiting, coiling and twining. These patterns have different variations to each of their intricate designs. One or more of the patterns can be combined in the designing of a single basket. These four techniques of basket weaving begin with wefts of raw materials. The plaiting patterns reach over and under each other in a checker-like design. With wicker, the classic basket patterns join over a foundation of stiff weft material that has been weaved over and under the foundation. Twined patterns are typically identified as the braiding technique within overlaid patterns of material. The coiling patterns begin in the center of the basket and are coiled into spiral rounds around the basket. These patterns can be joined into intricate designs by a gifted, creative basket weaver. Weaving together a basket takes more than knowing how to design; weaving supplies are also necessary.
Basket weaving tools can be found with typical household supplies. The hand is the main tool, along with deft fingers. Other supplies include a butter knife, old scissors and an ice pick or awl. Primitive basket weavers also used stones. Wire cutters or pruning shears are also good supplies to have handy while constructing baskets. Materials can be measured with tape measure. A large tub should also be with supplies in order to dye materials. Clothes pins are also helpful when it comes to drying the pieces of reed or willow materials. Basket weaving supplies are as primitive as the tradition itself.
Basket weaving kits are readily available for anyone who would like to try their hand at basket weaving. Basketweavingsupplies.com is the home of quality basket weaving supplies, kits and patterns. These basket weaving kits range from beginner to advanced skills and they feature original basket weaving designs.
Sources:
"Basket." Madehow. 2007. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Basket.html.
"How to Choose Basket-Weaving Tools and Materials." 1999-2007. 12 Sept. 2007. eHow. http://www.ehow.com/how_13935_choose-basket-weavin g.html.
"Techniques, Tools and Workplaces." The Language of Native American Baskets. 2007. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/baskets/subpage .cfm?subpage=tech_tech.
Baskets are made with raw materials from plant fibers. They include roots, cane, twigs and grasses. The most popular materials used in basket weaving are reeds, raffia and willow. Willow is the most typically used of all the plant fibers because it can be dyed very easily. Other raw materials used in basket weaving are the vegetable dyes that add color to baskets and wood for solid bottoms and handles. The basket designs are determined on the types of fibers used in the construction of the basket. Fibers are available in three shapes: round, flat or flexible. Each fiber has distinct uses in terms of weaving. Round fibers are easily woven around other round designs. The flat fibers can be woven or twisted according to design preferences. Flexible fibers wrap around each other, forming coils. These fiber shapes are crucial to a basket's design and dependent on which basket pattern technique is used.
Basket weaving is achieved through four basic techniques or patterns. They are wicker, plaiting, coiling and twining. These patterns have different variations to each of their intricate designs. One or more of the patterns can be combined in the designing of a single basket. These four techniques of basket weaving begin with wefts of raw materials. The plaiting patterns reach over and under each other in a checker-like design. With wicker, the classic basket patterns join over a foundation of stiff weft material that has been weaved over and under the foundation. Twined patterns are typically identified as the braiding technique within overlaid patterns of material. The coiling patterns begin in the center of the basket and are coiled into spiral rounds around the basket. These patterns can be joined into intricate designs by a gifted, creative basket weaver. Weaving together a basket takes more than knowing how to design; weaving supplies are also necessary.
Basket weaving tools can be found with typical household supplies. The hand is the main tool, along with deft fingers. Other supplies include a butter knife, old scissors and an ice pick or awl. Primitive basket weavers also used stones. Wire cutters or pruning shears are also good supplies to have handy while constructing baskets. Materials can be measured with tape measure. A large tub should also be with supplies in order to dye materials. Clothes pins are also helpful when it comes to drying the pieces of reed or willow materials. Basket weaving supplies are as primitive as the tradition itself.
Basket weaving kits are readily available for anyone who would like to try their hand at basket weaving. Basketweavingsupplies.com is the home of quality basket weaving supplies, kits and patterns. These basket weaving kits range from beginner to advanced skills and they feature original basket weaving designs.
Sources:
"Basket." Madehow. 2007. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Basket.html.
"How to Choose Basket-Weaving Tools and Materials." 1999-2007. 12 Sept. 2007. eHow. http://www.ehow.com/how_13935_choose-basket-weavin g.html.
"Techniques, Tools and Workplaces." The Language of Native American Baskets. 2007. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/baskets/subpage .cfm?subpage=tech_tech.
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