About Us

Rediscovering Craft | Reclaiming Our Hands 

As a child growing up in Maine, Erin Pollard watched her mother become a skilled weaver, a teacher at home, and a maker for LL Bean-- baskets were alive in the Pollard home in the 80s and 90s. But as life sped up, the click clack of basket making was replaced by other entrepreneurial ventures to "keep up with the times". Erin moved to NYC seeking culture, fashion, design, and dance. Two decades as a fashion executive for Vogue, goop & Harper's BAZAAR, long after her mother had retired, Erin found herself drawn to the art of weaving. That very first basket was a discovery, the antidote to modern-day ennui, a connection to the past, and to the future.  Basketry was more than a craft. It was a purpose; a link to not only my mother but also my ancestors, a family tradition, a function of survival, a mode for healing, and a connection to nature. 

The more Erin shared her woven art, the more she realized that others were searching for a way to reconnect with their hands. Inspired by this need, she and her mother came together to design and create, leading to the birth of Underwater Weaving Studio.

Underwater Weaving Studio

We are an American Basket Atelier rooted in elevated craftsmanship. Specializing in heirloom-quality rattan baskets for beauty and utility today, each handmade design is woven in Maine and Brooklyn by Erin and Peggy Pollard and a small team dedicated to the timeless preservation of ancient craft. 

Why the name "Underwater Weaving Studio"?

The name carries both a practical and symbolic meaning. Soaking weaving materials—whether vines or tree fibers—in water softens them, making them more pliable for crafting. This essential process ensures flexibility and strength in woven designs.

But the name holds deeper layers. The phrase “Underwater Basket Weaving” first emerged in the 1950s as vocational studies gained prominence in education. Over time, it became shorthand for university courses deemed frivolous or absurd, reflecting broader debates on educational value.

At Underwater Weaving Studio, we reclaim this term with purpose, exploring basketry through the lenses of fashion, interiors, feminism, and culture today. Our work spans from organic, lyrical abstractions to modern, minimalist utility baskets—each piece designed with meaning and function.

Collaboration is central to our philosophy. We partner with brands whose stories align with our craft, including Maria McManus, Ulla Johnson, Gigi Burris, Suzie Kondi, True Botanicals, DAMDAM Tokyo, House of Roro, Officina 1397, Il Buco, Aplos, Lillet, TOAST, Woven, and many more.

Our baskets are available at Moda Operandi, Over The Moon, The Expert, Slow Roads, Vestige, and a selection of independent shops nationwide.