For instance the water willow when peeled proves a very good material. Reed, which is a sort of grass that grows on the banks of rivers, may also be used after it is dried and peeled. Raffia is another material which is commonly used for this work. It is a sort of soft substance generally pale yellow and can be bought by the pound at any large store.
Dried grass is sometimes substituted for raffia and the results are often just as pretty as those obtained by the original material.
Grass twine is used. It is something like rope, and rope is often substituted for it. Raffia is generally used to cover it in making baskets.
A few tools will be necessary for our work such as a strong pair of shears, a tape measure or ruler, a vessel for water, and some very coarse, blunt-edged needles.
Simple baskets of rattan are very interesting to make and I will tell you how to make a small round basket without a cover.
For this basket you will need four fourteen-inch pieces of rattan or spokes as we are going to call them, one eight-inch piece and two or three longer pieces for weavers.
Before starting the work, the rattan should be soaked in water until it becomes soft enough to bend easily. Then two of the pieces are placed side by side in a vertical position and the other two in a horizontal position crossing the vertical pieces at the centre. Between the two horizontal pieces and to the right of the centre the half spoke is placed.
