Q&A for How to Weave a Willow Basket

Any kind of thin, pliable wood will work. You can find the willow branches (used here) at a craft store, from Amazon, etc. Just make sure to get a selection of small, medium, and large branches in order to make this kind of basket.

An extremely experienced weaver may take two or three days.

Any type will do, but ensure that it is sharp to avoid injury. Secateurs, although slightly bulky, would also work just fine.

If you are a beginner, it would probably take at least 4-5 days. If you have done this many times before, it would take 2-3 days.

You need your material to be long and springy, so pine and oak are not good choices for basket weaving.

Tighten the branches when needed to keep them in place and in the end (if needed), tie a small knot on the top of the handle or weave into the bottom of the basket through the sides.

For small baskets, around 60. For medium baskets, around 125. For large, around 170.

Yes. They all need to be soaked and pliable. If you didn't, you wouldn't be able to bend them into weaving position (that spoke pattern) or have the natural up and down movement you get when you weave through it with the shoots that go around in the circular pattern.

It can be any kind that is easy to work with. And yes, all need to be soaked.