Willow Craft: 10 Simple Projects: Volume 2 (Weaving & Basketry Series)

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We’ve decided to go more artistic with this hanging pod and use the full length of the branches to form a loop.

You can’t just decide, it’s a great day to weave a basket. The sun is shining, I have a whole day off of work, let’s have some fun. If you intend to use this as a bird feeder, make sure the base is as tight as possible so that the seeds do not fall through. However, once the basket is complete, it could be lined with foraged moss as a safety net. To Add New Weaving Branches Use your bodkin, or screwdriver, to open up the slits in the branches. Slide the other branches through, one at a time. As you come to each set of three branches in the cross, bend and weave around (over-under) each one.It’s said that certain baskets were also lined with clay to make waterproof bowls. Clay being another fantastic and natural material that we absolutely love to work with. You can even use it to make an earth oven. When the base reaches about 4″ (10 cm) in diameter, it is time to encourage it to form a cup/bowl shape. Be sure to trim all excess ends as you weave. That way you won’t end up with a hedgehog of a basket. Once your willow is thoroughly soaked, it is time for weaving your bird basket. When weaving a basket, don’t reinvent the wheel.

If you’d like to weave a bird feeder that is easier and less time consuming, you can sample some pretty and practical projects here: Willow Craft 10 Bird Feeder Projects Take every opportunity you have to use the tools around you. For example, to weave in the small end and pull it through, you don’t need to force it. Simply insert your bodkin between the branches, making a “hole” to pull the branch safely through. Now, that the base of your bird basket looks like a multi-legged spider, it is time to add 3 more branches, spaced evenly, to the mix. With your sharp knife make a slit in 3 of the branches, directly in the center. Make sure it is just long enough to slide the remaining 3 branches in. Step 2: Making the SlathThe general rule of thumb for soaking branches says to submerge the branches one day for every foot of length. Toss in some birdseed and they may find a safe place to dine. Or maybe people will gawk and comment on that strange thing hanging from a branch. Before going further, be sure that your branches are still moist and supple. Run them between your fingers from time to time to bend them in the direction that you want them to go. When you are satisfied with the size of the door, continue weaving in the same direction with one branch at a time. Make sure the center branch is about 5 1/2″ (14 cm) from either end. Step 3: Beginning to Weave the Bird Basket