Basket Weaving - Mrs. Cook's Art Class

Mrs. Cook's Art Class

Objective: Students will understand and use basket weaving techniques to create 2 baskets.

what characteristics define the look or style of a basket?

materials used

basket shape

weaving techniques

traditions / symbols

Project #1 - Basket with wooden base

Attach spokes to base

Get your supplies: one basket base, and 15 reeds, each 18-22" long.
With reeds taped together, put one end of bundle in sink to let it soak.

Stick a reed through each hole in your basket base.
Put the WET END of each reed through the hole, the DRY END should be sticking up through the top.
Pull the wet ends 2 1/2" below the base, like shown.

Working with the wet ends, take each reed and weave it around the outside of the reed next to it, then tuck it inside of the following reed, like shown.
Continue until all reeds have been woven in.

weaving techniques

Under and over technique
Take a reed and weave it "under and over" each spoke.

Slewing technique
Same as basic weaving, but you take two or more reeds and weave them under and over spokes together.

Packing technique
Using the under and over weave in only a certain section to vary the height of the sides or to create a pattern.

creating your basket's shape

To make your basket's walls taper inward, tape the tops of the spokes together, like shown.

Hold the top of spokes together with a rubber band, smaller rubber bands to taper in more, or larger rubber bands for less of a taper, or for a straight up and down shape.

To make your basket walls widen or bulge out, place a wide form made from newspaper inside spokes to push them farther out.

finishing the top of your basket

Loop method

Single-Braid metond

Double-Braid Method: Step 1

Double-Braid Method: Step 2

Assessment

project #2: basket with woven base

weaving the base

Get your supplies: You will need 8 full length reeds (40 inches long) and one 20 inch piece

assessment