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    How to Cut Reed for Basket Stakes

    You are here: Home / Basket Weaving / How to Cut Reed for Basket Stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes
    basket reed and basket weaving tools for cutting stakes

    There is something so special about creating things with your own hands. The slowness of the process, the ability to think through every aspect of what you are creating, realize the time and effort things take and appreciate the skill they require is an invaluable experience.

    I am somewhat of an addict when it comes to this. I’ll complete a sewing project, dye pot, or theatre performance only to look ahead with anticipation for the next pursuit. For further adventures in creating and testing my creative limits.

    Once something is completed you go back to the beginning, start from scratch, begin anew. It’s like Springtime. There is the budding of new ideas and new projects just like flowers and tree buds begin to pop out as the weather grows warmer.

    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.

    In basketry, going back to the beginning for me always means deciding what shape, style or purpose my next basket is going to take. Then comes the design and measurement calculations. Sometimes I like to create sketches of what I want the end product to look like, other times I just allow it to sit in my brain as I cut and weave.

    The next practical step after the planning and envisioning is to cut out and mark the stakes for your basket. I want to share how I go about doing this process. This is the stage where you set yourself up for a successful and enjoyable weaving experience. I have a few pointers that will help you make your next project the best it can be.

    The tools 

    My favorite tool for cutting stakes are a pair of reed cutters or basket shears. They have a sharp pointed blade that makes it easy to cut through even a thick flat oval rim reed. Kitchen shears are a slightly less affective alternative.

    Reed cutters, pencil, measuring tape

    – A cloth measuring tape is also useful for getting an accurate stake length. The pliability of the tape allows it to curve over the reed as you measure it out.

    – A graphite pencil to mark the center point on each stake.

    – Reed of the width you need for the basket.

    Removing pieces of reed from the reed coil

    As you can see in the photo above the reed is coiled and tied into a neat bundle. To start cutting your stakes these bindings have to be cut, obviously, but doing it willy-nilly will only leave you with a huge mess (trust me I’ve done this, and regretted it). Here is my suggestion: Lay your bundle on a table (like in the photo above). Then clip the ribbons, or whatever is fastening the coil without moving the reed itself. The coil should look like the photo below. Generally on reed coils there is a piece of round reed twisted around the ends to hold them together. This I clip, still keeping the reed flat on the table.

    Reed coil close up with the ends tied together with a piece of round reed.

    Finally to remove a piece of reed from the loosened coil lift one of the visible ends on the outside of the coil and gently lift it out. Here is a photo of what your piece will look like:

    Piece of reed thats been lifted out of the reed coil and set aside separately.

    After you have cut all the stakes you’ll need and taken the pieces you want from the coil, to store the coil neatly just tighten the coil up and retie at spaced intervals to keep it together. This is much easier to store than a tangled mass of reed that looks like a large rats nest.

    Tied bundle of reed after using
    Reed coil after I’ve taken out what I needed

    Measuring lengths of reed for stakes

    Starting at the end of the reed measure from end point to the length you need and snip off length with the scissors.

    Holding the end of the long piece of reed I brought out of the reed bundle
    Holding a measuring tape at the end of a piece of reed to begin measuring out stake length
    Holding a measuring tape at the end of a piece of reed to begin measuring out stake length
    Measuring the length of the stake
    Measuring out the length for a stake.

    Continue to follow this process until you have the number of stakes you need of that length. Proceed with cutting any other stake lengths. Make sure to keep the different lengths in separate piles in order to save time later.

    Two lengths of stakes to be used to create a rectangular open bottom basket.
    Two lengths of stakes to be used to create a rectangular open bottom basket.

    Marking the stake center point

    Now find the center point of the stake length. If I’m feeling especially math sensitive I use a cheat method to do this. Using the cloth measuring tape fold it in half matching the end with the measurement you just cut your stakes to. The center fold is the center measurement.

    Measuring to the center of each stake to create a center mark for creating the base later.
    Measuring to the center of each stake to create a center mark for creating the base later.
    A small dash mark on the stake indicating the center of the stake.
    A small dash mark on the stake indicating the center of the stake.

    Using the pencil mark the *wrong side of each stake at this point. Mark all stakes of that length and then repeat with the corresponding center mark measurement for any following stake lengths (generally this only means two different lengths).

    *Wrong side: There is a right and wrong side of reed. One side is smooth and the other has a fuzzy texture of little reed fibers that stick out. To figure out which side is which gently fold the reed over your finger and look at the texture of each side. The side that is rougher is the wrong side.

    The right and wrong sides of reed. This is important to know when marking the stakes so that your end product is smooth.
    The right and wrong sides of reed. This is important to know when marking the stakes so that your end product is smooth.

    And that is the general process for cutting reed stakes. Enjoy your new beginning and good luck on pursuing new adventures in basket weaving!

    Basket tools kit

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

    Buy Basket Making Tool Kit
    Basket making tools kit.

    More beginner basket weaving posts

    Basket Weaving Tools: What You Will Need to Get Started

    Twining the Base: Creating a Stable Basket

    Step-by-step Guide to Weaving a Handled Basket

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