Book Review--The Basket Book by Lyn Siler

When I first learned to weave baskets, this is the second book I purchased. It has over thirty basket patterns. The baskets are more traditional in nature, meaning that these are older, more historical style, functional baskets. It is full of beautiful photography as well as illustrations.
For the beginning weaver, there small section of basic weaving techniques in the front of the book but then specific and more advanced techniques are explained thoroughly as you use them with each individual basket.

Here is just a sampling of some of the basket patterns you will find in this book:

• Twill Market Basket
• Flat Bottom Egg Basket
• Ribbed Potato Basket
• Solid Bottom Shaker Basket
• Williamsburg Basket
• Cherokee Comb Basket
• Twined Planter
• Two-Pie Basket
• Wool Drying Basket
• Fishing Creel
• Nantucket Lightship Basket
• Shaker "Cat-Head" Basket

This book is comprehensive and beautiful. It has explicit instructions. If you are a brand new beginner, there are some easier basket patterns just for you. Once you have mastered the basic weaving skills, the instructions on the more advanced baskets patterns in this book will help you be successful in weaving a beautiful basket.

One of my favorite things about this book is that it has such a wide variety of patterns. I hope you gathered that from my list. Each basket is unique from the next.

"The Basket Book" by Lyn Siler is a book that should be on every weaver's bookshelf.
Happy Weaving,
Nancy