How to Weave an Open Basket Base

Before I start to explain how to create an open basket base I want to let you know that I cover this, and all the necessary steps to complete your own market basket in my free beginner basket weaving video course.

What is an open base?

The base of a basket is the bottom of the basket. This base can be created in a number of different styles and ways for different purposes.

In an open base the stakes are woven creating a grid that has open spaces between the stakes. This looks like the photo shown below. The open spaces give this technique its name: open base basket.

Here we will cover how to weave an open base for both a basket with a handle, and one without a handle.

Open base basket example. A basket with stakes that are woven going in two different directions. These stakes have spaces between creating a grid pattern of open spaces. — 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.

Setting up to weave the base

Set up your workspace.

Before you begin weaving lay a towel down on your work surface. This will catch any excess water as you work with the damp/wet reed.

Here’s how I set up my basket weaving workspace.

Set another towel down to one side and place a bin of warm water on top of this towel. This bin will be where you soak the reed to keep things damp.

Finally lay out your tools in easy reach to one side where they won’t be in your way.

For details on tools I’m using visit Basket Weaving Tools: What you Will Need to Get Started.

Worktable set up to begin weaving a basket. With a water tub, basket weaving tools and a stake of basket stakes.

Top view of a table with a towel, water tub, basket weaving tools and basket stakes.

Cut your stakes

Cut the stakes for your basket according to the basket pattern you are following. Or design your own pattern.

See my post The Beginning of it all…Learn to cut basket stakes for more information on how to cut stakes.

Basket stakes and handle laying on a towel.

Mark stakes

Mark the half way point on all stakes, make the marking on the wrong side of the reed.

The right side of the reed is smooth, the wrong side is rougher and has more fibery hairs sticking out.

Measuring tape marking the center of the stake.

Soak stakes

Place stakes in water to soak for a few minutes (while you prepare for the next steps).

Collection of basket reed soaking in a tub of water.

Weaving an open base

Laying out the stakes

You will be working the stakes in two sets. If you are making a rectangular basket than one set of stakes will be longer than the other, if it is a square basket all the stakes will be the same length, so split them into two sets.

Using one set of the stakes lay them out parallel, leaving spaces between each stake. Place them so that the center mark is facing up. Do this for all the stakes in this set.

Use the stake weight to hold the stakes in place as you go so that you don’t have to hold things down and move the stakes at the same time.

Basket stakes laying parallel to each other with a stake weight holding them in place.

Weaving in the perpendicular stakes

Weave the stakes going the other direction.

If you are working with an odd number of stakes start by placing a stake matching up with the center marks of the perpendicular stakes. Then work stakes evenly on either side of that center stake.

The bottom of a basket woven with a handle. — This photo is showing a handle acting as a center stake and all other stakes separated and woven evenly on either side of the handle (center stake).

If you are working with an even number of stakes then you will place a stake spaced evenly on either side of the center mark.

Square the base

Using a tape measure evenly space the stakes you just wove into the base.

To do this measure out from the center of the stakes and evenly space them by moving them around until all the spaces between the stakes look even and the distance is equal on both sides.

Do this going in both directions.

Measuring the width of a woven basket base.

Next steps…

And that is your open base. The next step is twining. Read Twining the Base: Creating a Stable Basket to learn how to do the twining.

Weaving an open base with a handle

This involves similar steps as explained above, incorporating a handle as the center stake. When working with a handle you will need an even number of stakes, but because you’ll also be using a handle you will end up with an odd number of stakes.

Laying out the stakes

Lay out the longer set of stakes perpendicularly, leaving spaces between each stake. Lay them out so that the center mark is facing up. Do this for all the longer stakes.

Use the stake weight to hold the stakes in place as you go so that you don’t have to hold things down and move the stakes at the same time.

Adding in the handle

Lay the handle on top of the stakes, as shown below. Use the handle as a guide to spread the stakes out as wide as the handles base.

Basket handle laying on top of rows of basket stakes.

Basket handle sitting on top of seven basket stakes.

Weaving the handle in

Stand the handle up straight and weave the stakes over the base of the handle. The stakes on the outside should be under, from there weave under, then over, alternating across. Once the stakes are placed under or over, respectively, slide the handle so that the center of the handle lines up with the marks on the stakes.

Weaving over a basket handle in the base of a basket.

Evenly space the stakes you just placed on and under the handle. You can guesstimate or use a measuring tape.

Weaving in the perpendicular stakes

Weave the stakes going the other direction. Start at the handle and work out using the plain weave under one, over one, method. Follow the images below.

The first two perpendicular stakes of a basket base.

You will be weaving half of the stakes on either side of the handle. You should have a number of stakes that is divisible by two, and the handle will count as a middle stake.

I like to place the stake weight on the opposite side of where I’m working to hold the stakes down and in place.

Weaving the perpendicular stakes in the base of a basket.

Do this for the other side of the handle as well.

Square the base

Using a tape measure evenly space the stakes you just wove into the base.

Do this going in both directions.

Squaring up a basket base by measuring all the edges with a cloth measuring tape.

Double check that the base measurement of the basket corresponds with the base measurement in the basket pattern, or the dimensions you want.

Next steps…

And that is your open base with a handle. The next step is twining. Read Twining the Base: Creating a Stable Basket to learn how to do the twining.

Basket course

If you are interested in learning more about how to weave a complete basket check out our free beginner basket weaving video course.

This course is suitable for anyone starting out in basket weaving, or those interested in growing their basket weaving skills.

Enroll here.

Resources

Basket Makers Catalog offers all the reed and tools you will need to get started in basket weaving.