Basket Weaving - Facts about Twining

Twining--A basketry technique using two or more sets of elements in which one set encircles the other.

Did you know that the first use of 'twining' was probably to hold twigs and sticks together to construct shelter walls?

Twining has also been used in ancient times by people as they spaced out twined rows to make traps and fish nets. They spaced their twined rows closer together to make lightweight baskets.

Stiff twining materials include: reed, rattan, cane, ropes, stiff grasses and stems of plants.

Flexible materials for twining include: cords, twine, jute and yarn among others.

I use twining on most every basket. On round or oval baskets I use twining to form the base. On square or rectangular baskets I use twining to stabilize the base and this keeps the base's shape. On some baskets, I will use twining on the sides for an interesting visual element.

You can begin by crimping one piece of material on itself and twining with just that one piece. You may also twine with two pieces of similar elements. An interesting technique is to use two pieces of the same size reed but have they dyed different colors and twining with the two colors. This is very pretty.

Enjoy twining and Happy Basket Weaving,

Nancy

Hopi Basket Weaving

Photo taken in 1901 by A.C. Vroman

Photo by J.H. McGibbney taken in 1968

I guess I've had an interest in coiled baskets lately. I've been reading some very interesting articles on Hopi basket weaving. I'll pass on what little I know and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

The Hopi weavers are making a coiled style of basket which is the typical style for them. In the top picture, you can see the Hopis also used some 'standard' twill weaving techniques. Bright primary colors covering broad areas make up the decoration. The quality of this type of basket, resulting from the size of the coil foundation and the use of large areas of color, sets it apart from other native weaving. Designs, often done in bold bright colors, are either geometric or depictions of ceremonial Kachina figures.

Over time, the coiled baskets have improved in technique, but their design has not changed over the years. As in many instances with weaving, originally baskets were created to serve a function. Now many of the Hopi baskets are created strictly for art.

Baskets of Blessings,
Nancy