Round Basket Guide

This guide shows how to make a traditional round wastepaper basket using Somerset willow, following established basketmaking techniques. The instructions are written to be clear and practical, with images showing each key stage.

1. Making the base

Cut 8 × 400mm rods of 6ft willow from the butt end. Lay 4 rods side by side. Push a bodkin through the centre and thread the remaining 4 rods through the split to form the slath. Remove the bodkin once complete.

1. Making the base

Cut 8 × 400mm rods of 6ft willow from the butt end. Lay 4 rods side by side. Push a bodkin through the centre and thread the remaining 4 rods through the split to form the slath. Remove the bodkin once complete.

2. Weaving the base

Using a pair of 5ft rods, tips first (one in front, one behind), weave twice around the slath to secure it. Begin to open the slath into pairs and then singles, spacing them evenly as you go. Join in a new pair using the butt ends when the first pair runs out. Continue until the base reaches 255mm diameter, then tuck in and trim the ends neatly.

2. Weaving the base

Using a pair of 5ft rods, tips first (one in front, one behind), weave twice around the slath to secure it. Begin to open the slath into pairs and then singles, spacing them evenly as you go. Join in a new pair using the butt ends when the first pair runs out. Continue until the base reaches 255mm diameter, then tuck in and trim the ends neatly.

3. Staking up the base

Slipe out 18 large 6ft stakes.
Insert the stakes evenly around the base. Where gaps are widest, insert two stakes on one slath upright (in two places). Ensure the dome of the base faces away from you.

3. Staking up the base

Slipe out 18 large 6ft stakes.
Insert the stakes evenly around the base. Where gaps are widest, insert two stakes on one slath upright (in two places). Ensure the dome of the base faces away from you.

3. Staking up the base

Slipe out 18 large 6ft stakes.
Insert the stakes evenly around the base. Where gaps are widest, insert two stakes on one slath upright (in two places). Ensure the dome of the base faces away from you.

4. Setting shape & upset

Bring all the stakes together so the dome of the base sits inside the basket. Place a willow hoop around the stakes and secure it by tying one or two stakes around the hoop. This holds the stakes together and keeps the base stable while you begin shaping. Using 5ft rods, work an upset around the base. Start with 4 rods, inserting another 4 halfway round to even out. As you weave, push the stakes gently inwards to begin shaping the basket sides.

4. Setting shape & upset

Bring all the stakes together so the dome of the base sits inside the basket. Place a willow hoop around the stakes and secure it by tying one or two stakes around the hoop. This holds the stakes together and keeps the base stable while you begin shaping. Using 5ft rods, work an upset around the base. Start with 4 rods, inserting another 4 halfway round to even out. As you weave, push the stakes gently inwards to begin shaping the basket sides.

4. Setting shape & upset

Bring all the stakes together so the dome of the base sits inside the basket. Place a willow hoop around the stakes and secure it by tying one or two stakes around the hoop. This holds the stakes together and keeps the base stable while you begin shaping. Using 5ft rods, work an upset around the base. Start with 4 rods, inserting another 4 halfway round to even out. As you weave, push the stakes gently inwards to begin shaping the basket sides.

5. First wale

Work a 12-rod wale using 5ft rods. Start with 3 tips, then insert another 3 tips halfway round. When those rods run out, insert the remaining 6 rods butt-first and work them out. Tap down firmly with the iron and level the wale.

6. Body weave

Weave the sides using a Continental rand with 5ft willow. Keep checking the basket from all sides to ensure the stakes remain straight. Tap down regularly with the iron to prevent gaps forming. Join in new rods as required, tips or butts first depending on appearance.

7. Top wale

When the basket reaches approximately 300mm in height, level off and work another 12-rod wale as before. Tap down firmly and level carefully.

8. Border

Finish the basket with a 4-pair border.
Bend the first four rods about 10mm above the wale. Take each rod behind the next two stakes, following the pattern shown. The last rod goes over the front rod and behind the next stake to complete the first pair. Continue all the way around, using a bodkin to ease the final rods into place. Trim all protruding ends neatly to finish.

8. Border

Finish the basket with a 4-pair border.
Bend the first four rods about 10mm above the wale. Take each rod behind the next two stakes, following the pattern shown. The last rod goes over the front rod and behind the next stake to complete the first pair. Continue all the way around, using a bodkin to ease the final rods into place. Trim all protruding ends neatly to finish.