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    Basket Weaving Tools: What You Need to Get Started

    You are here: Home / Basket Weaving / Basket Weaving Tools: What You Need to Get Started

    Every art form has its own set of unique tools that assist the artist in creating their pieces.

    Basket weaving is no different.

    However, when starting, you don’t have to get all the special tools before being able to weave a basket.

    I will share the tools I use when weaving baskets and some alternatives for those who want to test basket weaving before taking the full plunge.

    You can find basket weaving tools and tool kits in my Etsy shop, Textile Indie Supplies.

    For a complete guide to all Textile Indie’s basket weaving posts and videos, visit the main Basket Weaving Page.

    collection of basket weaving tools.
    Some links below are referral links, meaning, at no extra cost to you; we earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Textile Indie in this way! See our full disclosure statement.

    What tools are needed for basket weaving?

    Here are the essential tools needed to get started in basket weaving.

    If you want to get started with what you have at home, I’ve added alternatives in the descriptions for each tool – and a handy table at the end for quick reference.

    • Cloth measuring tape
    • Reed cutters
    • Pencil
    • Stake weight
    • Straight tipped packer
    • Box cutter
    • Metal clamps
    • Plastic clamps
    • Spray bottle
    • Water tub

    Basket weaving tool kit

    Check out my Etsy shop Textile Indie Supplies for a tool kit that includes reed cutters, stake weight, straight-tipped packer, 4 metal clamps, and 4 plastic clamps.

    Buy Basket Making Tool Kit

    Basketry tools and uses

    Cloth measuring tape

    A tape measures out stakes for basket weaving and establishes the size of the basket throughout the weaving process.

    Cloth is ideal for basket weaving because of its flexibility.

    Cloth measuring tape

    Reed cutters

    Reed cutters have short, sharp blades that allow good leverage on the reed when cutting it.

    Reed cutters, pencil, measuring tape
    Essential Tools for Basket Weavers

    Alternative: kitchen shears

    Kitchen shears or craft scissors work to cut reed, though they are not as sharp as reed cutters and will be harder to cut with.

    KitchenAid Kitchen Shears

    Pencil

    A pencil marks the center of the stakes when beginning a basket and takes notes or scores reference points throughout the weaving process.

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    Each issue focuses on one fiber art skill – spinning, dyeing, basket weaving…

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    Stake weight

    A stake weight is a heavy bar used to weigh the stakes when beginning a basket.

    A stake weight is like another hand – basket weavers often find themselves wishing for a third hand!

    Tools for basket weaving laid out.
    A deluxe tool kit for basket weavers

    Alternative: a hammer

    I have used a hammer in place of a stake weight. The weight of the hammer head makes it a handy alternative, and the length of the handle reaches the width or length of most of the baskets I make.

    It’s an out-of-the-box solution, but it works.

    Straight-tipped packer

    I also call this a flat-tipped awl. The packer consolidates the layers of weavers down close together.

    As the reed dries, it shrinks; keeping things tight will avoid gaps between weavers.

    You will also use a straight-tipped packer to get between layers when setting up the rim and finishing the basket.

    Basket Makers Catalog offers several different versions of these.

    Straight-tipped packer for basket weaving
    Straight-tipped packer for basket weaving
    A Straight-Tipped Packer

    Alternative: flat head screwdriver

    Another option is a flat head screwdriver. Or, in a pinch, a butter knife.

    Box cutter or knife

    Generally, a box cutter is a handy tool around the house – so I consider it a good investment.

    The box cutter trims down the ends of the reed on the rim of a basket (scarfing).

    Small metal clamps

    You’ll use clamp a lot in basket making to hold things in place.

    Metal clamps are powerful, and like the stake weight above, clamps are like extra hands.

    Alternative: binder clips

    A quick, cheap option to substitute metal clamps could be large binder clips (office style).

    Small plastic clamps

    Plastic clamps are used specifically on the basket rim because they are less likely to leave grooves in the rim.

    The “jaw” of a plastic clamp is the perfect shape to secure the rim.

    I like to supply metal and plastic clamps at my workstation. Small clamps are inexpensive and will serve you well.

    Spray bottle

    A spray bottle wets the basket down as you weave to keep everything damp. Maintaining damp reed is vital so that it doesn’t become dry and brittle and crack as you work with it.

    Water tub

    The tub is filled with warm water at the start of a basket project and is used to wet the reed before you begin weaving with it.

    You can use a sink or bathtub, but that will limit where you work.

    Basketry ToolAlternative
    Cloth measuring tapeRuler
    Reed cuttersScissors – kitchen shears
    Pencil
    Stake weightHammer
    Straight-tipped packerFlat-head screwdriver
    Box cutterKnife
    Metal clampsBinder clips
    Plastic clamps
    Spray bottle
    Water tubeBathtub or sink
    Basket tools and alternatives

    Basket-weaving tool kit video

    In the video below, I share the tools I use for most basket projects:

    Setting up your basket weaving workspace

    And this is how I set up my basket weaving workspace:

    Where to buy basket weaving tools

    Three great places to look for basket weaving tools are:

    Basket Makers Catalog

    BasketWeaving.com

    Textile Indie Supplies

    What next?…

    For a complete guide to all Textile Indie’s basket weaving posts and videos, visit the main Basket Weaving Page.

    Basket Weaving Glossary

    Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving

    Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving Materials

    Beginners Guide to Basket Handles

    How to Cut Reed for Basket Stakes

    Step-by-Step Guide to Weaving a Handled Basket

    Basket-of-the Month Club

    Check out Textile Indie’s self-paced basket club if you want to learn to weave beautiful baskets. Twelve different basket designs with video and written instructional support to learn foundational basketry techniques. Over the course of twelve months, you will receive one basket pattern with supporting instructional material. Start at basket one and weave all twelve, or stay as long as you want.

    gallery of 12 different reed baskets
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