AY Honors/Basketry

OverviewRequirementsAnswer KeyLesson PlansWorksheet

Overview

Learn the art of making baskets.

The Challenging Part

The most challenging requirement of this honor is probably this:

10. Make a hot roll basket with a woven base.

Printable Version

1. Know the names of two countries where Rattan (cane) is grown.

2. Explain how to treat pithcane (reed) before weaving.

3. What tools would you use for:

a. Cane basket making?

b. Raffia or Indian basket making?

4. Define:

a. Weaver singeing

b. Crushing

5. Explain how to:

a. Mend a broken spoke (stake).

b. Join a weaving rod (reed).

6. Name two kinds of bases used in baskets and tell in which type of basket each one can be used.

7. Describe how to lay:

a. A footridge border

b. A three-rod border

8. Do the following: simple weaving, slewing, and bispoking, and stitch a raffia base.

9. Make a cane sandwich tray with a wood base.

10. Make a hot roll basket with a woven base.

11. Make a round hot pad six inches (15.2 cm) in diameter in Raffia or Indian basketry.

Printable Answer Key

Edit Answer Key

1

Know the names of two countries where Rattan (cane) is grown.

Most (70%) of the world's rattan grows in Indonesia, distributed among Borneo, Celebes, Sumbawa islands. The rest of the world's supply comes from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bangladesh.

2

Explain how to treat pithcane (reed) before weaving.

To properly prepare reed for use in weaving, it must be allowed to dry completely for 3-7 days prior to use. This time might be shorter (or longer) depending on your local humidity. Store reeds out of direct sunlight to limit discoloration due to sun exposure. When you are ready to begin your project, first trim your reeds to the desired length. Then. soak one or two lengths of reed in warm (not hot) water for 5-10 minutes until the reeds bend easily. Make sure the reeds do not become waterlogged (soggy).

3

What tools would you use for:

3a

Cane basket making?

Sharp knife,peg, pair of round-nosed pliers, awl, two bodkins, rapping iron to tap down the wave on heavy cane work, cane seat weaver. (Note: A blunted chisel will do instead of the rapping iron, just wind a piece of tape around the end to protect the cane.)

3b

Raffia or Indian basket making?

4

Define:

4a

Weaver singeing

Weaver singeing refers to removing the small hairs or splinters that form on the reds as you weave. The most common method is to burn them off using a blowtorch or lighter, thus the term singeing. This can be dangerous for several reasons; including the risk of burning yourself or your basket. IF this method is used, don't keep the flame in one place too long, or you will damage the basket reeds. This must be done while the basket is still damp.

An alternative (and safer) method is to trim the hairs or splits off using some heavy duty shear. You may want to do a small bit of sanding afterwards to smooth the trimmed areas.

4b

Crushing

To bruise or compress the basket making fibers in a very small area.

5

Explain how to:

5a

Mend a broken spoke (stake).

5b

Join a weaving rod (reed).

6

Name two kinds of bases used in baskets and tell in which type of basket each one can be used.

7

Describe how to lay:

7a

A footridge border

7b

A three-rod border

8

Do the following: simple weaving, slewing, and bispoking, and stitch a raffia base.

9

Make a cane sandwich tray with a wood base.

10

Make a hot roll basket with a woven base.

11

Make a round hot pad six inches (15.2 cm) in diameter in Raffia or Indian basketry.

References

Content on this wiki is generated by people like you, and no one has created a lesson plan for this honor yet. You could do that and make the world a better place.

See AY Honors/Model Lesson Plan if you need ideas for creating one.

AY Honors/Basketry/Worksheet