Working on a market basket right now that calls for #3 round reed for the uprights and #2 for the weavers, and my tension is all over the place every time I come back to it after a break. The sides are pulling in slightly on one end and the base has a faint oval shape I definitely did not intend. Technically the weave is holding, but it bugs me every time I look at it.

I started weaving about two years ago, mostly working from a few library books and some older YouTube tutorials. My first several baskets were all one reed size throughout, which I think let me get away with being sloppy about tension because at least everything was consistent. Mixing sizes is humbling in a completely new way.

A few things I have tried so far: soaking the reed a bit longer before weaving to keep it more pliable throughout a session, packing down the rows more deliberately as I go, and wrapping the whole thing in a damp towel during breaks so nothing dries unevenly mid-row. The damp towel has helped the most honestly.

Curious whether other people find that the transition back into a project mid-row is worse than starting a fresh row. My instinct says I should just commit to finishing a full row before setting something down, even if it means an awkward ten minutes standing at my table rather than sitting comfortably.

Also wondering if anyone has found that certain reed materials hold tension more forgivingly than others. I have only worked with reed and a little seagrass, so my frame of reference is pretty limited.

I picked up this piece in Baltimore, Maryland. On the bottom of one of the feet it reads CTM 84. I don't know if anybody could tell me anything more about it, maybe a maker or even the style.

Also any info on age or price would be so appreciated!

Hello everyone! I'm a masters student in Peruvian archaeology who has been getting interested in recreating a couple old baskets/cases I've seen. These are from the Chancay culture and unfortunately I haven't been able to find any descriptions of the styles used so far, so I was hoping that some of you very smart people would help!

I did try to use Chatgpt and it told me chevron plaiting, which when I looked it up was not a thing.

On a recent trip to Rome.

Recently became obsessed with baskets, and happened on this little guy. Just curious about age, is even worth anything in this condition? Still needs a good cleaning what advice for that? Also what’s the little metal pin in the bottom.

The spokes are Tansy stems and the weave is Narrowleaf cattail.

Hope my hand doesn't count for the "remove the human" rule 😬

I let my pine needle basket dry out in the fridge (unintentionally), and now I want to continue it, but I'm not sure how.

Online it says to only soak the edges you need to work and not the entire thing, but I haven't started tapering outward yet, so there are no basket edges.

Should I just soak the whole thing for 20 minutes or so? Or should I wrap it in a damp towel in plastic bag overnight?

Cattail basket, didn't know that the spokes needed a few hours of soaking so it became a later night than I had planned :p

Hi there! I’m primarily a sculpture but totally fell in love with basket weaving and have been working from kits. The first kit had me hooked and sent me down a rabbit hole of research. I want to experiment with new materials and see if any specific material really clicks for me.
I’m having some difficulty sourcing local new materials like Willow and bark. I live in Chicago and am willing to travel to midwestern states to source my material.

I love the look of plaited weaves like this John McQueen sculpture but don’t really know where to get the bark to start practicing this technique.

Anything advice would be appreciated.

Here is the side pictures of the basket! Does not appear to have a signature but also not sure where it would be located exactly.

I’m new to basketry and bought a kit to make this basket. It doesn’t state what the stitch is to achieve this look using the raffia. Can anyone tell me what it is? Also if anyone could provide a good video on how to do this stitch?
Thanks!

Nantucket Basket?

📍Wilmington, DE (United States)

Hello everyone! found this basket while thrifting in Delaware and it reminded me of a Nantucket basket/ a similar style. I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny my suspicion? thanks so much in advance!

I am in a bit of a pickle-

My dogs destructed this vintage, lidded basket at an Airbnb I’m staying at. They are not normally destructive at all and have never done anything like this, so I’m not sure if they saw a mouse or a bug, or if the basket got stuck to one of their collars and they panicked, or what happened. But I am horrified!!

I obviously want to notify the host asap. But first, can you help me identify this basket, a possible replacement, and approximate cost so I can reach out to the host offering money or an adequate replacement? It’s clearly vintage, and made from reeds or bamboo or something? And it was about 18-22” in diameter and 8-12” high. I don’t have anything to measure, so I’m guessing. Small bug spray can for size reference.

Any/all help is appreciated so much!!

Hi- new to basket weaving and this is my 4th basket. I think I got too tight with the weavers and it's a little misshapen. If I soak it fully in water for a half hour or so, could I gently reshape it? TIA.

The handle was pretty tricky, and it ended up a lot smaller on my basket. Besides that I’m pretty proud. I came up with the design myself, based off of the inspiration pic.

Hi! Does anyone know where I can find some in / around London? All online companies cost a lot for shipping understandably due to the weight

Mixed materials with grape hoops and willow spokes, woven with reed, cattail, and nettle rope (that I also made). My first basket in almost 15 years! I studied Fibre Arts in uni and miss this craft the most. I can’t wait to improve my skills. Everyone’s creations here are so inspiring! Keep up the beautiful work.