Woven Cone Grapevine Basket Build (Photo Heavy)

[RBM]

Here is the second try at posting this tutorial I said I would for WW. I did get out this afternoon. The camera battery died while in the process so I had to finish at home so I could recharge. That means I had to use what I had at the time collected so I did not get a larger basket as a result. Anyway, the photos are mostly self-explanatory.

First I need a cord. Don't know the name of this plant but I am after its bark. Kind of like a dogbane but it isn't that.

The plant

The bark

The cord

The seven ribs

[RBM]

Start with a few weavers

The tie of the ribs

Weaver One start

Weaving

End of Weaver One. I can just leave it wedged like this.

[RBM]

Start and wedge of Weaver Two

End of Weaver Two this time tucked into weaves.

Start of Weaver Three

Finished Weaving

Start Wrapping Ribs to Form Rim of Basket

[RBM]

Finished Rib Wrapping and Formed Rim

Finished Basket

Start Handle

Other End of Handle

Tie off other end of Handle with small section of vine.

[RBM]

Closer Look

Finished Handle

[PetrifiedWood]

Great post! Thanks for showing how its done. You should add a link to this in the tutorials thread.

[RBM]

Thanks, PW. I just found that tutorial thread in the General Discussion section. Didn't even know there was such a place for tutorials.

[Binalith]

Totally awesome. Cant wait to give this a shot. Thanks RBM!

[WoodsWoman]

RBM, what super guy you are!!   Wonderful tuturial !!     I can DO this...       

I was too darn busy to get to my backyard today.   I had a cabin to wash down and weedwhipping in the garden area.        

I think I need to find MNSportsman to find out what 'stringy' barked plants we have up here.     

Thank you Thank you!!    I know that took some time to do it all...even uploading and setting up this post.    Its appreciated.

WW.

[RBM]

As you can see above, I am showing two ways of start and end of the weavers. You can wedge them or you can tuck them. Tucking the weavers makes the basket look better if not sturdier. Wedging works just as good though and cuts down on time. So its kind of which one you want at the time. However, as the top of the basket gets larger and the ribs further apart tucking becomes necessary.

No problem, WW. Yep. Anybody can do this. As far as barks, leaves, skins and such, just look for any plant that is fibrous. You don't need to know what it is but it is advisable to use gloves and wash your hands off if you don't know what it is.

[WoodsWoman]

I raced to my pm box to pm Mnsport to ask him about the vegitation around here.. lol     

AND I went to see if there was a moon out there...   nope.   Darnital.      I'd go sneak some vines if there was a moon to see by.     My yard light wont shine that far.... and well.. like I said.. boogyman hangs out on the perimeter.....waiti ng......   

Does it have to be 7 or 11 vines?  Or just any odd number?

WW.

[RBM]

Does it have to be 7 or 11 vines?  Or just any odd number?

The rule of thumb is any odd number for the ribs. Depends on how large you want it. The more ribs, the larger usually. The reason for the odd number of ribs is that some types of weaves require an odd number or the weave will not work correctly (you can see the weaving link in the Basket thread). This way you just stick with the rule of thumb for a plain weave.

Here is the weaving link for a conventional/traditional woven basket. You will note he adds an extra rib to the original 16 spokes to make 17.

http://www.jonsbushcraft.com/basicbasket.htm

Got to get some rest. Work tomorrow or I should say today.

[RBM]

Any small length of cord will work. You don't have to go out and make one. I do because I have gotten into the routine of practicing my skills with just what is in the wilderness so I am not reliant on man-made materials that may not be available in the wilderness. With the exception of a cutting tool. Rocks for a cutting edge are not readily available here where I live so I use a knife. Sea shells are not bad cutting edges but not many inland. The knife is an essential tool here as a result of not having usable rocks to break into an edge.

[upthecreek]

thanks RBM. I'm still struggling with tying my shoes at 50.. I think I could do it I applied myself. your work in inspiring.

Creek

[RBM]

thanks RBM. I'm still struggling with tying my shoes at 50.. I think I could do it I applied myself. your work in inspiring.

Creek

Thanks, Creek. Like I said above anybody can do this as long as there is still a little dexterity left in the hands and fingers.

[MATT CHAOS]

Nice work!  You made it look easy!
 

[RBM]

Well, since this basket was small I gave it to my mother and now its a wall decoration. Hanging on the wall with artificial flowers in it. I don't do good enough basket work for artwork since that is never my intention when making a basket. I make baskets to use. But if she likes it for a decoration then that is fine. Now she wants another cornucopia for her Thanksgiving table decorations again.

[Buckskin]

Looks great and any time anyone hangs something on the wall it usually means it has great value.