There are not many unchanged items in use today that can trace their origin as far back as baskets. Archaeological evidence suggests they were in use by Neanderthal man, several thousand years earlier. Now as then, baskets remain useful and attractive, and with the current shift towards environmentally friendly natural products it’s clear that they are here to stay.

Basket enthusiast Corinne Hill of Choice Baskets helps customers to learn about the many different types of basket weave products available today, advising them which type is most suitable for which purpose.

Corinne Hill first took over Choice in 2004. At that time the business was run from a small shop in Skipton . Choice was well established already and within eighteen months Corinne saw the potential for selling baskets beyond the restrictions of the Skipton shop and set about building her own website http://www.choicebaskets.co.uk/ to offer them more widely .

Many of the baskets on the market today are sub-standard, Corinne warns. These are generally lighter in weight, with a more open weave which you can see through, betraying a poorer quality that will not stand the test of time.

Corinne’s simple guide to basket types:

Rattan

Baskets made of rattan are quite strong and have more varied shading, which makes their colouring interesting. Rattan comes from a vine like palm grown under license in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. There is an interesting new grey rattan available which is great for contemporary design schemes.

Seagrass

Baskets made of seagrass always look tidy and smart. The green shade of the weave is distinctive and they suit a modern and contemporary environment. Seagrass has an almost string like appearance and is woven onto a wire frame which means it is usually pretty strong, so well suited for stacking and storage. It is not a good idea to get seagrass wet, however, so these baskets are recommended for indoor use only. Because of the wire frame they are slightly heavier and can become misshapen if they are not treated with respect.

Wicker

Wicker baskets are very versatile. These are much hardier and can be used outside as they will survive in all weathers. Usually a stronger weave, they are very sturdy and solid. Grown in fields and by river banks as willow, the branches are stripped of their outer layer and usually treated before weaving. The end product is well suited to carrying weight although the baskets themselves are lightweight. This also makes them ideal for storing items on top of wardrobes as they are only as heavy as the contents and are easy to lift up and down.

Wild willow

With the outer skin intact, wild willow is otherwise the same as wicker with the same advantages. The weathered outer layer creates a more rustic effect ideal for use in country cottages and buildings with a sense of heritage. It is ideal for log baskets and traditional hampers.

Other types of basket material which are less widely used are abaca, maize, buri, rush and lakegrass.