How to make a Storage Basket

1. Prepare the base

Cut 8ft or smaller willow sticks to approximately 650mm long. Straighten them by hand or using the loop in your iron handle. Place them into your block at the required width of 245mm, allowing any natural curve to lean slightly outwards.

1. Prepare the base

Cut 8ft or smaller willow sticks to approximately 650mm long. Straighten them by hand or using the loop in your iron handle. Place them into your block at the required width of 245mm, allowing any natural curve to lean slightly outwards.

2. Tie and weave the base

Secure the uprights using a simple pair with a 6ft rod, then begin weaving the base with the butt ends alternating left and right. Tap the weave down regularly with your iron and keep checking the width as you work. Continue until the base reaches approximately 245mm × 540mm.

2. Tie and weave the base

Secure the uprights using a simple pair with a 6ft rod, then begin weaving the base with the butt ends alternating left and right. Tap the weave down regularly with your iron and keep checking the width as you work. Continue until the base reaches approximately 245mm × 540mm.

2. Tie and weave the base

Secure the uprights using a simple pair with a 6ft rod, then begin weaving the base with the butt ends alternating left and right. Tap the weave down regularly with your iron and keep checking the width as you work. Continue until the base reaches approximately 245mm × 540mm.

2. Tie and weave the base

Secure the uprights using a simple pair with a 6ft rod, then begin weaving the base with the butt ends alternating left and right. Tap the weave down regularly with your iron and keep checking the width as you work. Continue until the base reaches approximately 245mm × 540mm.

3. Prepare and stake up the basket

Remove the base from the block, trim the ends and adjust the base so it sits naturally on your lapboard. Slype out approximately 40 large 6ft stakes, plus extra bi-stakes for the corners. Stake up the ends first, using a willow hoop to hold the uprights in place, then stake the sides evenly using your bodkin.

3. Prepare and stake up the basket

Remove the base from the block, trim the ends and adjust the base so it sits naturally on your lapboard. Slype out approximately 40 large 6ft stakes, plus extra bi-stakes for the corners. Stake up the ends first, using a willow hoop to hold the uprights in place, then stake the sides evenly using your bodkin.

3. Prepare and stake up the basket

Remove the base from the block, trim the ends and adjust the base so it sits naturally on your lapboard. Slype out approximately 40 large 6ft stakes, plus extra bi-stakes for the corners. Stake up the ends first, using a willow hoop to hold the uprights in place, then stake the sides evenly using your bodkin.

3. Prepare and stake up the basket

Remove the base from the block, trim the ends and adjust the base so it sits naturally on your lapboard. Slype out approximately 40 large 6ft stakes, plus extra bi-stakes for the corners. Stake up the ends first, using a willow hoop to hold the uprights in place, then stake the sides evenly using your bodkin.

4. Weave the bottom wale

Begin an 18-rod wale, working with the tips first. As you weave, push the centre stakes inward and hold the corner stakes together and slightly outward to maintain the rectangular shape. Tap the finished wale firmly down with your iron.

4. Weave the bottom wale

Begin an 18-rod wale, working with the tips first. As you weave, push the centre stakes inward and hold the corner stakes together and slightly outward to maintain the rectangular shape. Tap the finished wale firmly down with your iron.

5. Weave the lower sides

Add the extra bi-stakes beside the corner stakes and begin an English rand using 5ft rods. Start each rod with the butt end and weave it out completely before starting the next rod in the following space. Keep adjusting the uprights as you work so the sides remain straight and do not belly outward.

6. Form the finger holes

At approximately 110mm high, level off the rand and weave a 6-rod wale. Insert bi-stakes where the finger holes will sit, then weave backwards and forwards along each long side, turning at the end stakes. Continue until the finger-hole section is approximately 40mm high, then weave another 6-rod wale across the top of the openings.

7. Complete the upper sides

Continue with another English rand, again keeping the sides and corners as straight as possible. Weave until the basket reaches approximately 250mm high, leaving around 25mm for the top wale and border.

8. Finish the border

Level the weave and complete the top wale. Finish with a 4-pair border, bending the first four rods approximately 10mm above the wale and working each behind the next two stakes. Continue the pattern around the basket, using your bodkin to help fit the final rods into place, then trim all protruding ends.