Oval Dog Basket Guide

To make this oval willow dog basket, you’ll need a selection of 5ft and 6ft willow rods, along with a basketmaker’s knife, bodkin, wrapping iron, lap board and a simple willow hoop to help hold the uprights in position.

1. Make the oval base

Cut 10 pieces of 6ft willow from the butt end to 430mm long. Mark two guide lines 250mm apart on your lap board to help keep the base even. Arrange the rods as shown and begin pairing from each end to form the oval base.

1. Make the oval base

Cut 10 pieces of 6ft willow from the butt end to 430mm long. Mark two guide lines 250mm apart on your lap board to help keep the base even. Arrange the rods as shown and begin pairing from each end to form the oval base.

2. Build the base to size

Continue pairing around the base, gradually separating the rods evenly to create the oval shape. Add further pairs using the thicker butt ends and weave tightly, tapping down with your iron as you work. Continue until the base measures approximately 510mm × 310mm.

2. Build the base to size

Continue pairing around the base, gradually separating the rods evenly to create the oval shape. Add further pairs using the thicker butt ends and weave tightly, tapping down with your iron as you work. Continue until the base measures approximately 510mm × 310mm.

3. Prepare and insert the uprights

Trim off any loose ends and slype out 34 uprights using 6ft willow rods. Stake up the base, generally using two uprights alongside each base stick, with six single uprights where the spacing is tighter.

3. Prepare and insert the uprights

Trim off any loose ends and slype out 34 uprights using 6ft willow rods. Stake up the base, generally using two uprights alongside each base stick, with six single uprights where the spacing is tighter.

4. Raise and secure the sides

Turn the base over and use the back of your knife to bend the stakes upwards. Gather them into a willow hoop and tie the hoop in place to hold the basket shape while you begin weaving. The hoop can be removed once approximately 75mm of the sides has been woven.

5. Weave the upset and wale

Begin the upset using four thin 6ft rods from one shoulder of the basket, adding another four rods from the opposite side. Once completed, tap the weave firmly down and straighten the base. Follow this with a 12-rod wale, again tapping it down firmly with your iron.

6. Weave and shape the sides

Start the Continental rand using 5ft rods, inserting one rod into each space and weaving behind one stake. Continue around the basket, shaping the sides as you work by pulling the uprights outward to achieve the required angle.

6. Weave and shape the sides

Start the Continental rand using 5ft rods, inserting one rod into each space and weaving behind one stake. Continue around the basket, shaping the sides as you work by pulling the uprights outward to achieve the required angle.

7. Create the lowered front

Position two sticks at the front of the basket to mark the drop opening. Add three rods of waling at the back and weave towards the front. Then weave backwards and forwards between the two sticks around the rear section until the basket reaches the required height.

7. Create the lowered front

Position two sticks at the front of the basket to mark the drop opening. Add three rods of waling at the back and weave towards the front. Then weave backwards and forwards between the two sticks around the rear section until the basket reaches the required height.

7. Create the lowered front

Position two sticks at the front of the basket to mark the drop opening. Add three rods of waling at the back and weave towards the front. Then weave backwards and forwards between the two sticks around the rear section until the basket reaches the required height.

8. Finish the border

Level the top with your iron and begin a 4-pair border, working around the basket until you reach the opposite side of the opening. Finish and secure the border around the two front sticks, adding a small willow wrap if required. Finally, wrap the plait around the border and trim any protruding ends.

8. Finish the border

Level the top with your iron and begin a 4-pair border, working around the basket until you reach the opposite side of the opening. Finish and secure the border around the two front sticks, adding a small willow wrap if required. Finally, wrap the plait around the border and trim any protruding ends.

8. Finish the border

Level the top with your iron and begin a 4-pair border, working around the basket until you reach the opposite side of the opening. Finish and secure the border around the two front sticks, adding a small willow wrap if required. Finally, wrap the plait around the border and trim any protruding ends.

8. Finish the border

Level the top with your iron and begin a 4-pair border, working around the basket until you reach the opposite side of the opening. Finish and secure the border around the two front sticks, adding a small willow wrap if required. Finally, wrap the plait around the border and trim any protruding ends.