Craft & Handwork
Bamboo & Rattan Weaving
The material bends only while it is soaked; move it dry and it snaps
The material is cheap: one bundle of rattan or split bamboo makes several baskets. The first skill is soaking, since it bends only when wet, moulds if soaked too long, and snaps if forced dry. Starting the base is the hard part, because a crooked base means a crooked basket, which is why most tutorials begin with a flat coaster. It cuts your hands, so wear gloves at first.
First stepSoak a bundle of rattan until it bends, put on gloves, and weave one flat coaster with a square start.
Barriers
Cost to start
Under $50
Going deep → $300–2k
Alone or with people
On your own
Effort
Light
Without a teacher?
Self-taught
One session takes
1–2 hours
Where
At home
Why people take it up
Skills
BuildsFine hand control