Basket making with raffia
Making baskets is one of the oldest known crafts that humans first started doing. Making string and then weaving that string into a useful practical vessel.
You’ll learn how to make woven baskets using raffia (which is the fibre from a palm tree) or how to create a basket using fabric scraps and string.
You might just become addicted to this meditative process and delve deep into the joy of coming home to this ancient craft.
traditional crafting for a modern world ⟶
create slow, mindful moments
You’ll learn traditional simply beautiful basket weaving with raffia, strings, threads & upcycled materials.
The process feels innate to our hands & head, because humans have been making woven vessels for so long it’s part of our essence. This is like coming home.
Learn step-by-step with clear videos how to start, create and finish a woven basket or wall hanging, using raffia. There’s multiple stitches to learn, and the guidance to create your own artworks, your own designs and your own piece of history.
I also share a fun, simple crochet basket using upcycled fabrics and a string core.
These become works of art on their own, or usable vessels to hold your ongoing projects, everyday items, modern technology.
As an extra bonus I share with you how to dye the raffia using natural plant dyes from your kitchen and compost scraps to create your very own colour palette.
Course curriculum
A combination of downloadable PDFs, videos & worksheets this is shared in a way as if you’re right beside me at the kitchen table or a weaving circle.
The foundational basics of basket weaving using raffia
how to begin a raffia basket coil
creating different stitches such as overstitch, long stitch, v-stitch, figure-8 stitch
creating patterns in your stitching
shaping your vessel from a plate plate to a bowl
Crochet basket weaving using fabric or string
A whole different technique to create a crochet basket which gives new stitches, shapes, designs and materials to work with
How to make your own string out of fabric scraps
Natural Dyeing with kitchen scraps
how to dye your raffia to create your own colour palette using:
avocado seeds
onion skins
black beans'
turmeric
& more
Testimonials
discover the absolute delight of creating your own woven vessels & artworks ⟶
FAQs
Here’s some common questions about my basket weaving course, if you have anything specific, please send me an email. General faqs about all my courses can be found here.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn how to weave a basket using raffia, string, threads & upcycled materials. I show two different techniques - using a needle for stitching or a crochet hook for crochet-ing.
There’s multiple stitches & how to shape your basket, as well as how to naturally dye raffia using kitchen or compost scraps.
Do you show how to use fibres from the garden?
This course doesn’t show how to find or use plant materials from the garden, as that is a slightly different process.
You’ll learn how to use raffia, which is the natural fibre from a palm fronds. As well as how to use other threads, string, fabrics and upcycled materials.
What tools & supplies do I need?
You’ll need:
raffia (I get mine undyed and then dye it myself, but you can also purchase it already coloured if you like)
a metal blunt-nosed weaving needle, this is often called a tapestry needle. About a size 13 - 18 is good. You can find these from haberdashery (sewing) shops
for the crochet basket I suggest a size 10 needle, but it depends on the thickness of the string you’re working with.
string (from a hardware store can work), fabric, twine or jute
any found objects such as feathers, buttons beads, fabric scraps
fine sharp scissors
When can I start?
The course is available for immediate access, and you can watch the videos whenever you want for as long as you want.
If I ever add more content (videos or projects) you’ll receive these in your student portal automatically.
Is this beginner or advanced?
This is mostly for beginners, with step-by-step process of how to start if you’ve never done any basketry making at all.
My videos and downloadable stitching sheets will show you the whole process.