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    Basic Basket Weaving Tools

    Basketry Tools

    Post: Basket Weaving Tools: What You Need to Get Started

    Video: Basic Tools for Basket Weaving

    Video: Setting up a Basket Weaving Workstation

    Rattan basket reed

    I carry basket reed, seagrass, some handles, and basket weaving tools in my Etsy shop, Textile Indie Supplies.

    I typically order my basket reed online. One of the best places I have found is Basket Makers Catalog. They have various sizes, types, and colors of reed, handles, seagrass, and other materials.

    Rattan basket reed from Textile Indie Supplies

    Post: Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving Materials

    Seagrass and other accents

    Seagrass comes in a variety of sizes. Typically sold by number (i.e., #1, #2, etc.), these numbers are associated with a diameter size in millimeters.

    Seagrass from Basket Makers Catalog

    Textile Indie Supplies- Materials

    Basket weaving handles, hoops and frames

    Textile Indie Supplies – Handles

    Post: Beginners Guide to Basket Handles

    Video: Everything You Need to Know About Basket Handles

    Basket reed dyes

    Basket reed can be home-dyed using fiber reactive dyes or other plant fiber dyes. Here I have included several options and their sources.

    Rit dye

    Basket Tree dye

    Fiber reactive dyes

    Basket stains, sealers, and other finishes

    Stains

    A stain is a product that changes a basket’s overall hue or color. There are a variety of shades available, depending on your preference.

    Pro Tip: Before using a stain, do a test sample on a piece of reed and allow it to dry to see the actual color and finish (matte, satin, etc.)

    Here are a few of my favorites:

    Weavers Stain

    Weavers Stain is one of the best stains for baskets as it applies easily and sits on the reed without making it stiff or crunchy like some other finishes.

    Find Weavers Stain at Basket Makers Catalog here.

    Watco Danish Oil

    Danish Oil is an oil-based wood finish that penetrates or soaks into wood surfaces. This is a good option for basket reed as it does more than sit on the surface of the reed.

    Watco Danish Oil on Amazon (comes in various wood tones: natural, black walnut, light walnut, cherry, red mahogany, etc.)

    Wood stains

    Whether you use wood stains on rattan basket reed is a personal choice. It is possible to use wood stains, and I often do, especially for baskets that will get a lot of wear and tear because they are heavier duty. Wood stain will make the reed a bit stiff and crunchy as the stain causes the reed to stick together where it overlaps.

    Stains come in different finishes. I suggest using a satin finish. Glossy stains tend to make the reed look tacky, in my opinion.

    Here are a few things to consider if you go for a wood stain:

    • Go for the water-based option for easier clean-up.
    • Oil-based stains smell like chemicals.
    • If you use an oil-based stain, allow your basket to dry in a well-ventilated area for a few days.

    Varathane water-based stains on Amazon

    Varathane oil-based stains on Amazon

    Post: Basket Stains and Sealers: Finishing Your Basket

    Post: How to Protect Your Handwoven Baskets from Mold

    Video: Cleaning, Staining, and Sealing Your Handwoven Baskets

    Video: How to Apply Basket Stains and Sealers and Why You Should

    Basket weaving books

    You can find many books about basket weaving techniques, even specifically for rattan basket weaving. I have included several of my favorites for reference and inspiration.

    Books