The core technique of willow basket weaving: twisting and winding combination techniques, easily solving the problem of basket bottom collapse

1. Twisting: Building a Strong "Skeleton" for the Basket's Bottom and Laying the Foundation for Load-Bearing

Twisting is a key technique in willow weaving to create structural strength and serves as the "main frame" of the basket's base. Its core principle is to create a stable, interlocking structure by twisting the wickers.

Basic operation: Take 3-4 willow branches of uniform thickness, cross them in the center to form a "米" shape, and then use the center as the origin to twist two adjacent willow branches in the same direction (add a new willow branch for each twist to increase the density) to form a radial grid.

Key Points: Apply even force when twisting, ensuring each wicker fits tightly together. Keep the grid size within 3-5cm (a grid that is too large will result in uneven force distribution, while a grid that is too small will affect air permeability). After weaving to the required diameter of the basket bottom, use thin willow twigs to wrap around the edge and secure it to prevent it from loosening.

The twisted and woven basket bottom frame is like a "steel skeleton" installed on the basket, which can disperse the pressure brought by heavy objects and avoid collapse caused by excessive force at a single point.

2. Braiding: Strengthening Edges and Joints to Improve Overall Stability

A twisted frame alone isn't enough. The junction between the bottom edge and the basket body is a high-risk area for collapse. Braiding acts as a "reinforcement band."

Edge weaving: Take 2 soft and thin willow branches (such as white willow, which has good flexibility) on the outermost circle of the twisted frame, and wrap them around the edge of the frame in an "up and down" manner. Insert the end of the willow branch into the adjacent grid to fix it after every 3 circles. This step "binds" the radial twisted frame into a cohesive whole, preventing the edges from unraveling.

Transition Weaving: When transitioning from the base to the basket, weave the wicker strips at the edge of the base to the wicker strips of the basket body. Each time you weave a circle around the basket body, weave a thin wicker horizontally around it, firmly securing the vertical wicker strips of the basket body to the bottom frame, creating a "stepped" load-bearing structure.

The function of winding is similar to "concrete pouring". Through fine winding, the scattered wicker branches can form a force-bearing whole, especially enhancing the deformation resistance of the edge of the bottom of the basket, and preventing the edge from sagging when loading heavy objects.

Third, Combination Technique: Twist to define the structure, then weave to fill in the details, effectively solving the problem of collapse.

1. Twist first, then weave, maintaining a clear distinction between primary and secondary: First, complete 70% of the base structure with twisting to establish the overall shape and load-bearing framework. Then, weave to fill in the gaps in the mesh and reinforce the edges, ensuring a seamless integration of the "skeleton" and "flesh."

2. Combining Thick and Thin Strokes, Blending Hardness and Softness: For twist weaving, use thicker, hard willow as the "main skeleton," while for loop weaving, use thinner, soft willow as the "ligaments." The hard willow provides support, while the soft willow enhances the fit and prevents breakage caused by excessively hard materials.

3. Finishing with Reinforcement for Double Protection: After weaving the base of the basket, wrap the weave twice more around the center and edges, embedding the ends of the twigs deep into the mesh to ensure they won't loosen after long-term use.

The charm of willow weaving lies in its ability to overcome hardness with softness. Seemingly slender twigs can be transformed into toughness and durability through a combination of scientific weaving techniques. Mastering the logic of combining twist weaving and loop weaving will not only solve the problem of base collapse but also lay the foundation for creating diverse, durable willow weaving creations. Try this method next time you're crafting and experience the structural wisdom hidden in this traditional craft!