Willow weaving is one of the oldest surviving crafts in Britain, rooted in a close relationship between people, landscape, and seasonal rhythms. Long before plastics and industrial manufacturing, everyday household items – baskets, trays, and storage containers were made from locally harvested natural fibres.
Today, basketry is experiencing a revival. As more people seek sustainable, handmade alternatives to mass-produced goods, willow weaving offers both a practical skill and a tangible connection to traditional craftsmanship.
Preparing Your Material
Proper preparation of willow rods is essential for successful weaving. Freshly cut, or “green,” willow is unsuitable for basketry because it shrinks as it dries, which can cause finished work to loosen, warp, or lose strength.
Instead, rods must first be dried a process known as seasoning which usually takes several months. Once seasoned, the willow is rehydrated by soaking it in water for several days before use. This restores flexibility while maintaining structural integrity.
This balance between dryness and moisture is the key to a tight, durable weave. Properly prepared rods bend smoothly without cracking and hold their shape once woven.
Essential Tools
One of the advantages of willow weaving is its simplicity. You do not need a fully equipped workshop to begin. A small set of basic tools is sufficient:
- Secateurs for cutting and trimming rods
- A sharp knife or bodkin for splitting and shaping willow
- A rapping iron to compact and tighten the weave
Beginners are encouraged to start with small, straightforward projects such as a round tension tray, plant support, or bird feeder. These builds develop hand skills and an understanding of tension before progressing to more complex items like shopping baskets.
The Ecological Impact
Willow weaving is not only a craft but also an environmentally responsible practice. Using locally grown willow significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with imported materials such as rattan or cane.
Willow is a renewable resource that regrows quickly when managed correctly, and a handmade basket is fully biodegradable at the end of its life. Rather than becoming waste, it naturally returns to the soil.
By learning willow weaving, you participate in a closed-loop system – harvesting, creating, using, and eventually returning materials to the earth making it a craft that aligns tradition with modern ecological values.