How To Make A Cordage Basket

[adamborg1]

Thanks I did it! Wasn't very beatiful though xD

[SHOGUNRISK]

Great vids

[tybrad1]

Looks like a good quiver. Good idea mate!

[scarlatenm]

Está linda!

[WildyJohn]

Hey mate, great video. I only have a few questions. First, how does the method vary from the small basket you've made and the largest basket you've shown on the video? For a larger basket, would you extend the initial weaving process to enlarge the bottom of the basket? I'd think that moving into weaving between the single strands as early as you would on a smaller basket would make it very narrow. Also, I'm assuming that you would add more than the eight initial strands? Thank you!

[WaterFor3st]

I was able to make the basket, but I'm just confused at finishing it off. It's not very clear to me. I wish there was more demonstration to it.

[WaterFor3st]

Wow that is amazing. I want some twine right now!

[JRNY1605]

I'm curious as to how you would splice in more jute if you ran out of your primary stand? Thanks and great vid

[BlackwolfW87]

I was just thinking of how to do something like this for something to do around the fire while backpacking. Thanks for the video. Stumbled across your channel a few days ago. Loving it so far.

[bfmvrockz1]

if you make it big enough can't you use it as a arrow quiver

[pup9et]

Ya ill settle for a shirt with the openings sewed shut lol

[anfiach]

Such a simple concept. It is the same as basket weaving with splits, but one of those forehead slapping moments. Who would think to use cordage? Nice video.

[ncbookz]

insane! i always thought it could be done but i never saw it done, good video

[kj40000]

u could use a big basket as a quiver for arrows but ull need to tie on a strap or something.

[topgundn]

@syafawad What website are you talking about. $100 for the Idun is a steal. I'll buy 10 of them at that price.

[Smartie033]

Thank you soo much for uploading this!!! i now have a new hobby that i can do whenever i want :) but yeaah thanks x

[drkangelx]

i just used this technique a few hrs ago to make a "basket" of course it's only big enough to carry friggin chapstick in it. i was wondering if it was possible to start off w/ more than a total of eight strands or is it even necessary?

[mapdok12]

What kind of knife was that? It looked handmade.

[hayyalife]

you made this so easy. great tutorial!

[gswiaczny]

It looks like a tiny Leprechaun's hat ^^ Great tutorial. Thank you and best regards from Poland, Greg

P.S.

The last one (about 1,5 feet long) could be a grat quiver! So thank you once again!

[Rhinoch8]

Cool you can make a fish net, and socks!

[NancyToday]

awesome! I never thought of doing that! I spend a lot of time sitting in my tipis by the campfire. I'm going to try this with cedar root around bulrushes! Thanks.

[reluctantprophet7]

if you weave nylon like that would it be stiff enough for a quiver?

[reluctantprophet7]

you could make a quill like that......

[KonstantinKuehn]

how do u splice in new string or fibers into the horizontal piece? just tie a knot? a little help pleasssseeee thanks!

[Petros3G]

Paul, have you ever considered making your own socks out of wool with that technique, especially since you burned a hole in a good pair at Winter Camp 2010?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

LOL! Yeah seriously!

[iroxsmelly]

i got it! it can be used for a ipod!!! XD

[iroxsmelly]

a bit small XD

what would you use it for????? :)

great vid ;)

[TruOrFalse]

man i tried this, IT WAS HARD AS CRAP!!!!

i had no patience for it lol!

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

LOL! That is hilarious...

[goldenscales]

Dude, that was so cool! But next time - bug spray, yeah?!

[growingraw]

how long should the horizontal piece be?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

It should be about 2 arm lengths... but you will have to splice new ones in as you run out of them... good luck!

[selproductionssel]

@HedgehogLeatherworks dude ur vids r awesome keep makin em

[lexiconlover]

hi. just wondering where you learned this craft...it's more like a skill, right? I am interested in where this originated as far as you know.

Thank you!

~Tara

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Hello, I'm not sure of the specific origin of this one because I am sure that many cultures had similar types of baskets... I originally learned it at a survival camp as a kid.... thank you!

[rbvmtr]

would it be possible to make one out of grasses or vineage ?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

You probably could but it wouldn't be as functional or pretty... but then again, it doesn't need to be good looking... let me know if you end up doing that!

[rbvmtr]

ok. maybe cattail leaves would be more functional ,if I could find some . I was able to vines to make a net and weave small limbs with the leaves to make a blind and with a space of about 5 in.s filled with debris about 5 ft. high. fuctional wind and water proof . ( a different perspective on debris shelter ) right now I am using a tarp for one wall and the top if I can figure out how to make the roof water proof it becomes a debris hut with fire pit .

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Nice! Sounds pretty cool!

[Badlamshade]

I figured out how hacky sacks are made lmao... I used some cotton string to do some practice on it was a little too soft for this. Thanks for the upload !

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Cool! I never thought of that application... good call!

[rbvmtr]

next item socks and sandles ! LoL

[Badlamshade]

I guess if you pulled tight on one side you could make a heel ;P lol sandles, how about insoles with an anti fungi from blood wort!

[rbvmtr]

LoL , sounds good to me

[dorke991]

what did you said about "waterproofing"?

how i can make it waterproof?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Well, I've never waterproofed a basket before but I have seen people do it by coating the inside with pine pitch (pine sap and charcoal mixed together)...

[elenalejeune]

yup it does ...thx

[elenalejeune]

ok...i did it ...but mine is way smaler and more ugly...i know why is ugly but i am not sure why is it the tumb size. Ofcourse i did not use what you used there...i used some wool..lol...just to try it out ...so i think that is one of the reasons(tickness of the string?)

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

It could be the string... but it is likely that you wove it too tightly with too much tension... loosen it up a bit and it will work just fine... good luck!

[elenalejeune]

oh my god...you are too young to know all that...wow...thank you ...i am gona try this right now..now now

[prosperabovehaters]

paul i can tell you really love what you do...how did you learn how to do all these things from your videos?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Thanks! I have learned from many different teachers and mentors all over the place. I first started at Tom Brown's tracker school and have really explored a lot of other folks since then. I believe that everyone has a piece of the puzzle and something valuable to offer, so basically I learn from everyone possible.

[PeaceWithinFear]

I have two questions how big is the horizontal string compared to the vertical string for the basket like 5 time as long? Also, do you know how to make rope from smaller pieces of string or to extend the string so its one continuous piece? Thanks for the videos Ive learned so much in a different perspective.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Thanks for commenting! The horizontal string can be as long as you want it to be, but yes, when it runs out you will have to splice in a new string. I explained specifically how to do this in a post above so be sure to check it out... good luck and stay tuned for more videos!

[EarlandPatty]

Thanks!

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Yeah... it was a proud moment in my life!

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

As a matter of fact... yes! It has happened a few times but the most awkward incident was when a lady that was hiking found me skinning a squirrel. I think she thought that she was next or something because she got the heck out of there! Thanks for commenting!

[theplainsman6]

Did that big one you made use the same 8 strands to start with or do you have to increase that number as you increase the diameter of your basket?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

You are correct... I had to weave in a lot more than 8 strands for that one... as the basket gets bigger and bigger, the space between each strand gets bigger, so you have to start with more strands in order to still have consistent spacing when it spreads out so far. Thanks for writing!

[bishonenboy]

@theplainsman6

I bet you could make a wider basket with a neat, rounded bottom by tying in additional strands onto the 8 strands.

[DruannaMadoran]

Paul thanks for what you do. There's no yukka near me but plenty of gladiolas, I used their leaves to practice making cordage. It came out great! Okay it started messy but got much better as I went along and a few inches down the line it looked nearly perfect. My son wanted to wear it as a bracelet - something his mom had hand woven from a plant, hehe. You've increased my "cool" factor with my kids AND taught me an invaluable skill. Thank you! Now off to try the weaving with jute.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Hey,

Thanks!!! It is my pleasure and I am happy that you have found a place for the skills in your life too! ... AND increased your cool factor along the way. Best wishes to you and stay tuned for more videos!

[RetartedMailman]

this is HARD!!!

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Yeah... it takes a delicate touch!

[tulipthehobbit]

This was really instructive! I'm going to try to make one of these tonight. Thanks for taking the time to share your skill.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Cool! Glad you got some value out of it... please be sure to subscribe to our newsletter on our website!

[ivanovivan11]

Oi, how much rope did you spend making the longest basket (and how much time)?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Hi... well, way too much time! It took forever to make that thing... lots of time and patience... I am guessing it took about 20 hours to make...

[hornetpalooza]

How long does it take to make one of those small baskets? I noticed it was getting dark.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

The small one I made in the video took about an hour... thank you for asking!

[bowhunterhall93]

Thats cool, if you have enough twine you could probably make clothing this way to.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Interesting idea... if you end up doing it, please let me know... I'd love to see!

[hornetpalooza]

Worst christmas gift sweater ever! :) Anyway, good video, I've looked at all of your videos: excellent!

[chelpydog]

Yes I think you're right ,Paul, that would be fun to do around the fire and to keep my kids from fighting!!!!LOL thanks.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Good idea!

[nightmare2772]

cool!i would like to know how to make a quiver for arrows cause fletch ALOT and have NO place to put em

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

All you need is more cord and more patience! Check out the quiver in the video... it took me a LOT of time... good luck!

[ktkeith]

Great video; cool skill. Two questions:

What techniques would you use to make other kinds of baskets - wider, flatter, stiffer, etc.? Maybe another video for those different techniques?

Second: For larger/taller baskets using your technique, do you have to start with a very long string for the horizontal wraps? How do you know how much cord you need to make a basket of a given size? Is there a way to add more cord to continue the basket if your first piece runs out?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Hi and thanks for commenting! Yes, I think that another video may be a good idea. There are ways to make these baskets in different configurations... yes, for the larger baskets, you start with longer strands. There is a way to "splice" in a new strand... see one of my replies above. I will add another basket video to our suggestions list and put it in line for our video shoots! Thanks again!

Best,

Paul

[CallsThunder]

Great skill to know. Thanks for sharing.

[cityboygonewild22]

another great video and also nice nife, what kind is it ?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! This is the fallkniven idun knife and we have it available on our website along with our sheaths... please let me know if you have any questions about it.

[A5G36C]

is there anyway to make it wider to make a larger basket?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

In my experience, this technique is best suited for smaller baskets... however, you could theoretically make a very large basket with this method. You would simply need more vertical strands. The further you get from the epicenter, the more space there is with each twist (and hence it becomes less stable)... so if you have more vertical strands you can continue the tight twists further out... I hope this helps! Feel free to email me with any questions!

Kind regards,

Paul

[MichelleJonesPhotog]

That's amazing, and especially good for those of us who don't have any convenient stands of whithy willow about :)

I'm definitely going to try this :D Thank you!

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Awesome! Give it a shot and let me know how it goes!

[MichelleJonesPhotog]

It worked out really well, I only had cotton string but I now have a great (if a little weak) basket, I love it!

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

AWESOME!!! So glad to hear it... it is kind of addicting once you get going on it!

[seanmulhall]

Fantastic video. I have often wondered how you start these off. I have several uses for these types of baskets and will deffinately have a go at making some. Thanks

Sean the Silver Fox

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Sean,

Thanks for the positive words! I am thrilled that you are getting so much value out of the article.

Kind regards,

Paul

[buckwhittler]

That was awesome man!! love your vids and website.

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

Thanks!

[Landon11A]

How do you know what length the horizontal piece is compared to the vertical pieces that you have already cut?

[HedgehogLeatherworks]

I'd go about 3 arm lengths... any more than that is difficult to manage. When you run out, you lay the original "horizontal" piece in parallel next to the existing "vertical" strands and then trim it short. Then you splice in a new "horizontal" strand from wherever you left off... I hope that helps! Sorry there wasn't time to put it in the video.

Kind regards,

Paul Scheiter

[KonstantinKuehn]

i really wanna try this. looks really cool