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    Spools of basket reed on the floor

    Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving Materials

    You are here: Home / Basket Weaving / Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving Materials
    Spools of basket reed on the floor

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

    What materials do you need to weave a basket?

    There are many different basket-weaving styles and traditions in the world. Check out Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving for an overview of basket types and techniques.

    Here at Textile Indie, we focus on baskets made from rattan plants. Rattan-based material is called basket reed. The pieces we’ll be weaving are made from the inner parts of the rattan vine.

    Rattan is a vine that grows in Indonesia.

    It is part of the palm family (genus Calamus). The vines are harvested into long lengths and processed into different shapes and widths.

    You can find basket-weaving materials and tools at the Textile Indie Shop.

    What is the most popular material in basket weaving?

    Willow and bamboo are the most popular materials for basket weaving. Willow and bamboo are fast-growing, abundant sources of material.

    Willow and bamboo baskets are prevalent in discount home and craft stores.

    Other common materials are grasses, vines, and twigs. These three materials are widely available and free to gather in most parts of the world.

    Basket weaving hobbyists lean toward rattan basket weaving. Although you can find materials, courses, and classes on any basket tradition, you’ll find the most support for rattan-style basketry.

    In this post, I’ll refer to rattan basket weaving supplies as “reed.”

    Reed types for basket weaving

    Reed comes in a variety of sizes and types. Knowing these will help you understand basket pattern material lists. It will also enable you to design beautiful baskets because you know what is available.

    Basket reed comes in five different types:

    • Flat reed
    • Flat-oval reed
    • Oval-oval reed
    • Round reed
    • Half-round reed
    Reed types diagram: flat reed, flat-oval reed, oval-oval reed, round reed, and half-round reed.
    Profile of Reed Types

    Flat reed

    Flat reed is flat on both sides and approximately 1/16″ to 1/8″ thick.

    Profile view of flat reed for basket weaving
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    Flat Reed

    1″ Flat Reed

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    5/8″ Flat Reed

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    1/2″ Flat Reed

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    3/8″ Flat Reed

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    1/4″ Flat Reed

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    Flat-oval reed

    Flat-oval reed is flat on one side and beveled on the other. At the center, the thickest part is approximately 1/16″ to 1/8″ thick.

    If you put two pieces of flat-oval reed, flat sides together, you would create an oval.

    Profile view of flat-oval reed used in basket weaving
    Flat-Oval Reed

    Flat-Oval Reed

    5/8″ Flat-Oval Reed

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    1/2″ Flat-Oval Reed

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    1/4″ Flat-Oval Reed

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    Oval-oval reed

    Oval-oval reed is rounded on both sides.

    Half-round reed

    Half-round reed is round on one side and flat on the other. It differs from flat-oval reed because the curve of the round side on the half-round is much more pronounced. You would create a circle if you put two pieces of oval-oval reed, flat sides together.

    Round reed

    As the name implies, the round reed is a reed that’s been cut into a long cylinder. There are many different diameters available. See the sizing chart below.

    Piles of round reed in different diameters.
    Round Reed

    Round Reed

    #7 Round Reed

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    #4 Round Reed

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    Round Reed #3

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    Reed sizes

    Reed types are identified by the width of the reed.

    If a pattern calls for a 1/4″ flat reed, it means you will need a flat reed that is 1/4″ wide.

    You can find flat reed and flat oval reed as wide as one inch and as narrow as 11/64 of an inch.

    Flat reed, flat-oval reed, oval-oval reed, and half-round reed are all sold by width in fractions of an inch or millimeters.

    Flat reed in a collage of other types of basket reed
    Flat oval reed in a collage of other types of basket reed
    A spiral of flat reed, neatly bundled with blue ribbon
    A pile of basket reed in a variety of types
    Round reed in a collage of other types of basket reed

    Round reed sizes

    Round reed is sized by millimeter and often sold by a number (example: #0, #1, #2…).

    Round reed sizing chart:

    Reed numberReed diameter (mm)
    #0 round reed1.25 mm in diameter
    #1 round reed1.75 mm in diameter
    #2 round reed1.5 mm in diameter
    #3 round reed2.25 mm in diameter
    #4 round reed2.75 mm in diameter
    #5 round reed3.5 mm in diameter
    #6 round reed4.25 mm in diameter
    #7 round reed5 mm in diameter
    #8 round reed5.75 mm in diameter
    #9 round reed6.25 mm in diameter
    #10 round reed7.5 mm in diameter
    Round Reed Sizing Chart

    Seagrass

    Another material that I like to use in my basket weaving is seagrass. This tightly twisted grass rope is used as an accent to the reed.

    Seagrass is produced in several different sizes. It’s sold in millimeters or by a number (example: #0, #1, #2…).

    Seagrass in different weights.
    Seagrass

    Seagrass

    Seagrass #2

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    Seagrass sizing chart:

    Seagrass sizeSeagrass diameter (mm)
    #0 seagrass2.25 – 2.75 mm
    #1 seagrass3.0 – 3.5 mm
    #2 seagrass3.5 – 4.0 mm
    #3 seagrass4.5 – 5.0 mm
    #5 seagrass6.5 mm
    Seagrass Sizing Chart

    Other materials used in basket weaving

    Baskets can be made from a variety of materials. Don’t let the list above stop your imagination from working. The above are materials used to make baskets from reed. You can always experiment with new materials.

    Other basket-making materials include wire, paper, yarn, branches, grass, or seaweed.

    Here’s a video of my first try at making a pine needle basket:

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

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    Basket Handles

    Adding a handle to your basket adds to its usefulness and aesthetic.

    There are many handles to choose from.

    For more in-depth information on handles and handle resources, visit Beginners Guide to Basket Handles.

    Bin of assorted basket handles for handwoven baskets.
    Basket Handles

    Handle types

    • D handles
    • Swing handles
    • Hoops
    • U handles

    D handles

    A “D” handle is shaped like the letter ‘D.’

    It is flat on three sides while curving around the fourth side.

    ‘D’ handles work great for market baskets.

    Assortment of "d" style basket handles for basket weaving.
    D-Handles

    D Handles

    D Handle – 8″ wide x 10″ tall

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    D Handle: 8″ wide x 12″ tall

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    Swing handles

    A swing handle comes in multiple styles. A swing handle, well, swings!

    Basket with a swing handle
    Swing Handle

    Swing Handle

    Swing D Handle 10″ Wide x 15″ Tall

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    Wire Handle with Wood Grip – 8″

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    Hoops

    Hoops are used in ribbed basketry as a rim and a handle. Use two hoops to create a framework to build a basket around.

    Hoops

    Oval Hoop: 12″ x 20″

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    Round Hoop: 8″ Diameter

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    Round Hoop: 12″ Diameter

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    U handles

    A “U” handle is a handle that is curved and open on the flat side.

    These handles are tucked into the sides of baskets.

    “U” handles are commonly used in a bushel basket.

    "u" style handles for basket weaving
    U-Handles

    Handle creation

    As with materials for constructing the basket walls, you can create a variety of handles using creative materials.

    Feel free to experiment with new ideas and supplies to create your handles.

    For instance, you may curve a length of reed into a simple handle, as I did for this wall basket.

    Notice the reed handle I made by curving two pieces of flat reed.

    You can use found objects from nature, like branches or twisted vines.

    Hardware stores carry doweling, pipe, and cabinet hardware.

    Look at thrift stores for baskets and purses with interesting handles. You can dismantle and repurpose these.

    Where to buy basket weaving materials

    Textile Indie Shop – I aim to keep a supply of reed, basket tools, and basket kits available.

    What next?…

    Beginners Guide to Basket Weaving

    Basket Weaving Tools: What You Need to Get Started

    Beginners Guide to Basket Handles

    How to Cut Reed for Basket Stakes

    Step-by-Step Guide to Weaving a Handled Basket

    For a complete list of basket terminology:

    Basket Weavers Glossary

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

    Basketry Immersion: A Year-Long Journey

    Check out Textile Indie’s self-paced basket program 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 and a video with supporting instructional material each month. Start at basket one and weave all twelve.

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    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.
    Coils of basket reed stacked in piles.