Your Guide: Choosing the Perfect Basket Weave

Woven baskets are one of the simplest ways to bring natural texture and functional storage into your home. They add warmth, character and an organic feel — grounding hard surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms, and adding softness to bedrooms, living spaces and beyond. Whether placed on a shelf, under a bench or tucked into a corner, the right basket can elevate a room while keeping everyday essentials close at hand.

At The Dharma Door, every basket is handwoven using natural fibres and traditional techniques passed down through generations. The result is a rich variety of textures — from intricate stitches and bold open weaves to structured twists and soft braids — each with its own story, feel and visual effect. Made in partnership with Fair Trade artisans, our baskets provide sustainable employment and meaningful opportunities for women in rural communities of Bangladesh. And because each one is woven by hand, it subtly bears the mark of its maker, reflecting skill, care and individuality.

With so many beautiful weaves in our collection, we understand it can be tricky to choose the right one. That’s why we’ve created this guide: to help you explore the different textures in our range, understand what makes each one unique, and find the perfect weave for your space.

Twisted & Knotted Jute

Some of our most-loved baskets begin with a simple yet beautiful process: hand-twisting natural jute. On the verandahs of their homes, our artisan partners loop natural, locally sourced strands of jute around fixed posts and twist them by hand to form continuous lengths of cord — a foundational material used across this collection.

The thickness of the cord varies depending on the scale of the final piece: thinner for smaller baskets, thicker for larger ones. This ensures each basket maintains its strength and structure while preserving a consistent aesthetic. These hand-twisted cords are then carefully woven and knotted around a mould, giving each basket its distinct shape and ensuring consistency in size and form. With its rounded cord and knotted structure, this weave has a distinctive, sculptural texture and a natural, organic tone.

This detailed technique is used to craft some of our most recognisable pieces — including the Sona Square, Rectangle and Square Duo, Seafarer Small & Large, Seafarer Laundry, and Rani Baskets. The result is a simple yet tactile pattern that’s as sturdy as it is visually appealing. You’ll also find this twist, weave and knot method in our Dari Rug Small and Dari Rug Large — where the same care and structure is translated into floor coverings. 

Plaited & Hand-Stitched Jute

A timeless classic, our plaited jute weave was the very first basket style in our collection — and it continues to be loved for its strength, simplicity and ability to layer effortlessly into any interior.

Our artisan partners begin by sorting, brushing and hand-braiding the highest quality blonde jute into long, even lengths. These braids are then coiled and carefully stitched together by hand, row by row, using a needle and thick cotton thread — a slow and deliberate process that ensures each piece is structured, durable and made to last. The blonde jute lends a soft, natural tone that works beautifully in both light and earthy interior palettes.

Throughout the making process, the artisans measure and shape the baskets with precision, checking as they go to maintain the correct form and dimensions. The result is an enduring and elegant weave, found in some of our most recognisable designs: the Jute Laundry Basket, Small and Large Rectangle Jute Baskets, Large Round Basket, Jute Tray Basket, Small and Tall Square Jute Baskets, and Jute Bowls.

You’ll also find this technique in our Round Jute Placemats, Coasters, and in most of our floor rugs and runners, where strength, structure and finish are especially important.

Coiled & Woven Palm Fibre

Our palm fibre baskets are made using a traditional coiled weaving technique that has been practised for centuries by artisans around the world. This time-honoured method combines structure, strength and simplicity — all shaped entirely by hand.

To begin, our artisan partners cut fine strips of palm fibre from the centre of locally harvested, dried palm leaves. These are then wrapped around small bundles of natural Kaisa grass — with the thickness of the bundle varying depending on the size and scale of the final design. As the weaving progresses, the women carefully wrap and stitch the palm fibre around each coil of grass, gradually forming baskets that are firm, structured and beautifully consistent.

The light, natural tone of the palm fibre brings a subtle brightness and delicacy to the finished piece, making this weave a versatile choice for many interior styles. You’ll find it in the Mira Laundry and Small Baskets, Sakoa Flat-Backed Baskets, Dhali Baskets, and Buna Baskets — as well as our Round Palm Fibre Placemats and Coasters, where the same refined technique is translated to the tabletop.

Hand-Loomed Jute & Cotton

The fabric used for our Soha Baskets is woven by artisans in a traditional weaving community, working either in shared spaces or on the verandahs of their homes. Using wooden looms, they create a strong yet subtly detailed textile that combines plaited jute and coloured cotton thread.

These plaits are then woven together with cotton thread on wooden looms, row by row, using a shuttle and foot pedals. This weave features a subtle vertical line and a soft contrast between the natural jute and cotton — giving the fabric a refined, textural finish that sets it apart. The foundation tone comes from the blonde jute, while the cotton thread subtly shifts the overall look — Natural adds a warmer tone, while Bone brings a paler, slightly cooler finish. Both are neutral and versatile, designed to complement a wide range of interior palettes.

Each Soha Basket is lined with hand-loomed natural cotton and sewn together in a small Fair Trade sewing centre. You’ll also find this fabric in our Lahari Floor Runners, Malu Placemats, and Malu Table Runners, where the same thoughtful craftsmanship is carried through to practical and textural pieces for the home.

Hand-Dyed & Backstrap-Loomed Jute

In a remote tribal region of Bangladesh, women have been practising the art of natural dyeing, hand-rolling and weaving jute on backstrap looms for generations. This slow, highly skilled process creates the distinctive fabric used on the outer layer of our Boda Baskets — rustic, variegated and full of character.

To begin, artisans roll natural jute between their hands to form tightly spun strings in preparation for weaving. These are then dyed by hand: large cast iron pots of water are boiled over open fires, and the fibres are soaked and coloured using natural dyes before being hung to dry on bamboo poles. Once dry, the jute string is woven on backstrap looms — handmade from bamboo and anchored around the waist with a strap of woven fabric. Sitting on the floor, the women work slowly and precisely to weave the jute into long, narrow panels of cloth.

The result is a beautifully earthy, irregular texture with a raw, handcrafted appeal. You’ll find this weave in the Boda Baskets, as well as our Uttam Totes and Tantu Shoppers — each piece carrying the natural richness and integrity of this traditional technique. The naturally dyed jute creates tonal variation throughout the weave, giving each piece a textural and rustic depth.