How to Make a Wicker Basket

Insert two weavers. Now it's time to start basket weaving!Take two long, thin sprigs, about the same length.Insert the ends of the twigs into the left edge of the cut at the base, so that they come out next to one of the spokes of the cross.These twigs are called "weavers".Weavers are woven onto the spokes to create the shape of the basket.

Double weave to strengthen the base. "Double weaving" is a type of weaving that uses its own weavers, in order to strengthen the base of the basket.Separate the weavers and fold them to the right over the adjacent spoke.Place one weaver above the beam and one below it, and collect them on the right side of the beam.Now bring above of the next ray the weaver you passed under the first ray, and below of the next spoke the one you passed over the first spoke.Turn the cross and continue weaving, this time bringing the weaver below the second above the third spoke, and vice versa.Continue weaving and pairing weavers in this way around all four spokes of the cross, until you create 2 rows.

• Be careful to always bring each branch in the same direction as you braid.
• The weaving must be tight, and each row must be attached to the previous one.

Separate the branches that make up the rays from each other. On the third round of weaving, the time has come to separate the branches that make up each spoke of the cross, in order to create the round shape of the base of the basket.Instead of continuing to weave around the spokes made up of four sprigs, start weaving around each individual sprig that makes up the cross, using the same method.

• You can help by bending each spoke outwards, so that the branches open up and arrange themselves like the spokes of a bicycle.Make sure the spokes are the same distance apart before continuing to braid.
• Continue weaving by pairing the weavers around the spokes until the base has reached the desired diameter.

Add new weavers when necessary. When a weaver runs out of length and you need to add a new one, select a sprig as similar as possible to the one that is finished.Use a knife to sharpen the end of the new weaver, insert it between the last two woven rows and fold it so that it continues to follow the path left interrupted by the spent weaver.Make sure it's clipped in securely, then use vine shears to cut away the protruding end of the old weaver.Continue weaving using the new weaver.

• Do not replace more than one weaver at a time.Replacing two or more weavers in the same spot could create a weak point in the basket's structure.

Create the side structure of the basket. Choose 8 long, medium-thick twigs which, arranged vertically with respect to the base, will serve to form the structure around which to weave the sides of the basket;we will call them "carriers".Use a knife to sharpen the selected branches and insert them into the base, one per spoke, pressing them well into the webbing, and as close to the center as possible.Fold them up, so they are pointing towards the sky.Use vine shears to cut them at the same height (where the edge of the basket will go) and tie them together so they stay put.

Weave two rows of weavers using three sprigs. Weave three weavers at the base of the twigs that make up the structure of the sides (see above), so that the latter remain firmly in place.Look for three long, thin twigs, sharpen the ends and insert them inside the base of the basket to the left of three consecutive carriers.Now weave two rows like this:

• Take the leftmost weaver and bend it to the right, facing two carriers.Pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
• Take the second weaver from the left and fold it to the right, facing two carriers.Pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
• Continue weaving in the same way, always starting from the leftmost weaver, until you have two rows with three weavers intertwined.
• Untie the carrier lines.

Add weavers to the sides of the basket. Select 8 long, thin sprigs and sharpen the ends with the knife.Insert the first weaver inside the basket, behind a carrier.Fold it in front of to the next carrier on the left, then behind the one further to the left and finally bring it to the front.Now insert a second weaver behind the carrier, to the right of where you inserted the first weaver, and proceed in the same way – pass it in front of the carrier on the left, behind the one further to the left, and then back to the front.Continue adding weavers in this way until you have a weaver next to each carrier.

• To insert the last two weavers, you will have to lift the previously inserted ones to make room to insert the last ones underneath.Use an awl, or a sufficiently long nail.
• This way of braiding the sides is called "French style".It is a widely used method, and its purpose is to make the sides straight and uniform.

Weave the edge. Take a weaver and pass it in front of the carrier to its left, then behind the one further to the left and then back to the front.Now take the weaver to the right of the first one and pass him in front of the carrier to his left, then behind the one further to the left and then back to the front.Continue in this way around the basket, always starting with the next weaver on the right.

• Back where you started, you'll notice that there are two weavers behind the last two carriers.Both weavers should be woven around the carriers.Start with the bottom one, then proceed to the one above it.Even for the last carrier, start with the lowest weaver, then work your way up to the one above it.
• Continue weaving until you have reached the desired height for the border, and trim the ends of the weavers.

Strengthen the weaving with a row of three-weaver braiding. Select three long, thin sprigs.Point the ends and insert them to the left of three consecutive carriers.Now weave a row like this:

• Fold the leftmost weaver to the right, in front of two carriers, then pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
• Take the second leftmost weaver and fold it to the right, in front of two carriers, then pass it behind the third carrier and then back to the front.
• Continue in this way, always starting with the leftmost weaver, until you have a woven row with three weavers.

Finish the edge. Fold one of the carriers to the right and pass it under the first two carriers.Pass it in front of the third and fourth carriers, behind the fifth, and then back to the front.Repeat the operation with the next carrier to the right of the first one you folded.

• The last two carriers cannot be woven around the others, as they will all already be woven into the edge.Instead of weaving them around the other carriers, follow the same method, but this time insert the tip in and out of the edge.
• Trim the ends of the carriers so that they are even with the edge of the basket.

Start from the main branch. Select a thicker willow to use as the frame for the handle.Bend it over the basket, holding the ends in place, to measure the height of the handle depending on how you want it.Cut it accordingly, adding a few centimeters per side.Point the ends and insert them inside the basket, next to two mirror-image carriers.

Insert five smaller sprigs inside the weaving, next to the handle's structural willow. Pin the ends and tuck them deep into the weaving so they sit exactly next to each other.

Wrap the sprigs around the handle. Take the twigs and wrap them like a ribbon around the main willow that makes up the handle structure, until you get to the other side.Make sure all the sprigs stay flat and bunched together.Insert the ends of the twigs inside the webbing at the edge of the basket.

Insert five thin twigs into the other end of the handle. Working in the opposite direction, wrap the sprigs around the handle willow covering the spaces left empty by the first bundle.Continue wrapping until you get to the other side, and insert the ends of the sprigs into the webbing at the edge of the basket.