Basketry is the craft of weaving materials into containers and baskets. It is one of the oldest crafts in human history. People have woven baskets for thousands of years, using reeds, grasses, vines, and splints. Baskets carry food, store goods, and serve as art. The craft is simple in concept and complex in execution. The weaver must choose the right material, prepare it, and weave it into a shape that holds.

Basketry comes in several techniques. Coiling is the oldest. A bundle of fibers is coiled and stitched together with a thread. Plaiting interlaces flat strips. Twining twists two weavers around a warp. Wickerwork weaves rods around a frame. Each technique produces a different texture and a different strength. The choice depends on the material and the use. A basket for carrying stones must be strong. A basket for holding bread must be light.

Basketry is a living craft. It is practiced in many cultures. Native American, African, Asian, and European traditions each have their own styles. Some baskets are utilitarian. Some are ceremonial. Some are decorative. The materials come from the land. The patterns come from the culture. The basket is a container. The basket is a craft. The basket is a tradition. The basket is the same.