Diving in to basket making

For us, basketry is a discipline of stewardship. Our practice respects the hours it takes to build something by hand, honors the ecosystems that supply our materials, and preserves the language of our heritage and hands. Here is some information we have found useful if you're looking to start a basket-weaving practice with us.

TRADITION & TECHNIQUE

The beauty of the woven vessel is that, despite centuries of industrial advancement, not a single basket has ever been made by a machine. We primarily make and teach a technique called stake-and-strand basketry. It is a freehand weaving tradition in which vertical "stakes" or "spokes" form a structural body, while horizontal "strands" are woven continuously through them. We don't use molds, so the silhouette is shaped entirely by hand tension, and an eye for balance is achieved with practice.

OUR MATERIALS

Rattan is a magical material with a local lineage in New England. The story goes that in the 19th century, fast-sailing clipper ships returning from the East used raw rattan as packing material. It became the signature material of the famous Nantucket Lightship baskets woven by sailors at sea, and has been a staple of New England handcraft ever since. Rattan is an abundant rainforest-sustaining vine that was democratized in the US in the 1970s; Peggy acquired this material knowledge in the 1980s, and Erin began her exploration in 2022. Since then, mature rattan has become the primary material used to weave our baskets, in our workshops, and in our pre-cut, pre-measured kits. Learn more →

Moving Meditation

Long before modern meditation practices were widely talked about, basketry was recognized as a powerful healing modality. In the early 1900s, weaving became a foundational practice in the newly emerging field of occupational therapy. Nurses observed that the craft and the repetitive, rhythmic nature of weaving helped regulate the nervous system and supported patients in regulating it. Today, we still find that this tactile, hand-to-brain dialogue acts as a moving meditation. The simple physical repetition gently guides one to be entirely present in the moment.