Start your First Basket: Weaving a Strong Base
Creative with Nature
3,562 views
Welcome to Weave Your First Basket, a step-by-step series guiding you through making a simple willow foraging basket from start to finish.
Full soaking guide available now! 👉 https://creativewithnature.co.uk/prod...
In Episode 3, Weaving the Base of Your Basket, we begin the weaving by creating a strong, stable 3 x 3 base.
If you’re joining at this stage, you can follow along from here, though earlier episodes cover preparing materials and tools.
For anyone just joining, I’m Joe Gregory, a willow weaver and founder of Creative with Nature, based in Yorkshire, UK. I’ve been weaving and teaching for over 20 years, working with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. My teaching has always focused on making things feel simple, achievable and enjoyable so you can create something you’re proud of and will use in everyday life.
Across this series, we’re making a small and practical foraging basket. Perfect for gathering berries or herbs, collecting eggs, or using around the garden or home as a peg basket, fruit bowl or garlic holder. Each episode is an invitation to slow down, work with your hands and reconnect with a traditional craft.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This is where the weaving begins.
In this episode, I’ll guide you through forming the foundation of your basket with a simple 3 x 3 base.
This stage is slower and more deliberate and it plays an important role in the strength and stability of your finished basket. Taking your time here will make everything that follows feel easier and more balanced.
I’ll show you how to lay out your base, begin weaving and shape it carefully so when we weave up the sides, your basket sits flat and even.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
03:28 Bodkin Practice
04:32 Sorting & Preparing Material
07:58 Forming the Base Spokes - Start Weaving Here
10:12 Starting to Weave
17:01 Separating Spokes
22:49 Changing Weavers
27:01 Tip Join
29:52 Last Join
🛠️ TOOLS & MATERIALS
If you’d like to follow along with the same tools used in this series, you can find them here: https://amzn.to/3OlTh5I
🔗 SERIES LINKS & COMMUNITY
👉 Join our Facebook community (ask questions + share your progress):
Facebook: creativewithnatureweavingcommunity
👉 Subscribe to follow the full 6-part series:
@creativewithnature
👉 Sign up to our newsletter (free guide + updates):
https://wonderful-wildflower-60226.my...
🌿 CONTINUE LEARNING
We’re currently developing more in-depth online courses, which will be available soon.
👉 Find out more here:
https://www.creativewithnature.co.uk
SOAKING GUIDE (COMING SOON)
I’m currently preparing a detailed soaking guide to help you get your willow just right — especially if you’re working in different climates or conditions.
👉 Join the newsletter to be the first to access the guide when it’s released:
https://wonderful-wildflower-60226.my...
(This will be available to purchase soon — link coming shortly.)
A NOTE BEFORE YOU START
The base is one of the most important parts of your basket.
It’s worth moving slowly here. Small adjustments make a big difference, and taking your time will give you a stronger, more balanced result.
Thanks for being here and let’s begin.
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments. I’ll be there to help where I can.
13 Comments
Start your First Basket: Weaving a Strong Base
Creative with Nature
3,562 views
Welcome to Weave Your First Basket, a step-by-step series guiding you through making a simple willow foraging basket from start to finish.
Full soaking guide available now! 👉 https://creativewithnature.co.uk/prod...
In Episode 3, Weaving the Base of Your Basket, we begin the weaving by creating a strong, stable 3 x 3 base.
If you’re joining at this stage, you can follow along from here, though earlier episodes cover preparing materials and tools.
For anyone just joining, I’m Joe Gregory, a willow weaver and founder of Creative with Nature, based in Yorkshire, UK. I’ve been weaving and teaching for over 20 years, working with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. My teaching has always focused on making things feel simple, achievable and enjoyable so you can create something you’re proud of and will use in everyday life.
Across this series, we’re making a small and practical foraging basket. Perfect for gathering berries or herbs, collecting eggs, or using around the garden or home as a peg basket, fruit bowl or garlic holder. Each episode is an invitation to slow down, work with your hands and reconnect with a traditional craft.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This is where the weaving begins.
In this episode, I’ll guide you through forming the foundation of your basket with a simple 3 x 3 base.
This stage is slower and more deliberate and it plays an important role in the strength and stability of your finished basket. Taking your time here will make everything that follows feel easier and more balanced.
I’ll show you how to lay out your base, begin weaving and shape it carefully so when we weave up the sides, your basket sits flat and even.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
03:28 Bodkin Practice
04:32 Sorting & Preparing Material
07:58 Forming the Base Spokes - Start Weaving Here
10:12 Starting to Weave
17:01 Separating Spokes
22:49 Changing Weavers
27:01 Tip Join
29:52 Last Join
🛠️ TOOLS & MATERIALS
If you’d like to follow along with the same tools used in this series, you can find them here: https://amzn.to/3OlTh5I
🔗 SERIES LINKS & COMMUNITY
👉 Join our Facebook community (ask questions + share your progress):
Facebook: creativewithnatureweavingcommunity
👉 Subscribe to follow the full 6-part series:
@creativewithnature
👉 Sign up to our newsletter (free guide + updates):
https://wonderful-wildflower-60226.my...
🌿 CONTINUE LEARNING
We’re currently developing more in-depth online courses, which will be available soon.
👉 Find out more here:
https://www.creativewithnature.co.uk
SOAKING GUIDE (COMING SOON)
I’m currently preparing a detailed soaking guide to help you get your willow just right — especially if you’re working in different climates or conditions.
👉 Join the newsletter to be the first to access the guide when it’s released:
https://wonderful-wildflower-60226.my...
(This will be available to purchase soon — link coming shortly.)
A NOTE BEFORE YOU START
The base is one of the most important parts of your basket.
It’s worth moving slowly here. Small adjustments make a big difference, and taking your time will give you a stronger, more balanced result.
Thanks for being here and let’s begin.
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments. I’ll be there to help where I can.