Where Creativity Grows
Northwest Willow grows and sells dry willow rods, tools, books & supplies for willow basket weaving & heritage crafts
Get everything a beginning basket weaver needs in one convenient, discounted package. This starter bundle includes one of each essential tool to help you learn traditional willow weaving techniques and progress with confidence.
What’s included:
3/8" Bodkin — A versatile size for most basketry.
3/8" Curved Bodkin — Curved tip for reaching and tucking in tight places. Great for border work.
Wood and Steel Rapping Iron (Whomper) — Solid, durable tool for compacting weavers and tightening rows.
Fid — Smooth, tapered tool for easing weavers into place.
Modified Clippers - Secateurs — Shaved to more easily trim in tight places.
Why choose this bundle:
All the foundational tools a beginner needs to weave baskets and craft willow projects.
Quality materials built to last through practice and projects.
Reduced bundle price — get a discount compared to buying each tool separately.
Perfect for new weavers, class kits, or gifting to someone starting their basketry journey. If you have questions about the tools or want recommendations for getting started, contact Northwest Willow for guidance.
Musgrove Willows’ Black Maul White Willow is stripped and dried to create white willow rods. The variety of willow and the timing of the stripping play a big part in the quality of the end product. It’s also worth remembering that white willow isn’t ‘paper’ white, it is a slightly creamy color. White willow can be used on its own or as an accent to brown or buff willow projects.
Key characteristics
Natural, bark-stripped white willow.
Strength and flexibility suitable for baskets, sculptural weaving, furniture accents, and craft projects.
Because the bark is stripped, these rods absorb water and rehydrate at a different rate than standard brown willow. See our soaking guide for more information.
Packaging and sizing
Sold in 2 lb bundles.
4ft is about 200-220 rods
5ft is about 150-160 rods
6 ft is about 80-90 rods
Lengths measured by the foot, with typical tolerances:
4 ft: rods range between 3–4 feet
5 ft: rods range between 4–5 feet
6 ft: rods range between 5–6 feet
Care and storage
Store in a cool, dry place
Musgrove Willows’ Buff Noir Willow is naturally darkened willow offering weavers a rich, charcoal-brown material unlike any other. Musgrove Willows are the sole producers of Buff Noir in the world; their proprietary method removes the bark and naturally renders the stripped rods a deep brown/charcoal tone without dyes or pigments. The result is a consistent, earthy color with subtle tonal variation that adds depth and a modern, sophisticated look to both traditional and contemporary weaving projects.
Key characteristics
Natural, bark-stripped willow with an intrinsic dark brown/charcoal coloration produced by Musgrove’s proprietary process.
Unique product: the only Buff Noir willow available globally.
Strength and flexibility suitable for baskets, sculptural weaving, furniture accents, and craft projects.
Because the bark is stripped during the Buff Noir process, these rods absorb water and rehydrate at a different rate than standard brown willow. See our soaking guide for more information.
Packaging and sizing
Sold in 2 lb bundles.
4ft is about 200-220 rods
5ft is about 150-160 rods
6 ft is about 80-90 rods
Lengths measured by the foot, with typical tolerances:
4 ft: rods range between 3–4 feet
5 ft: rods range between 4–5 feet
6 ft: rods range between 5–6 feet
Care and storage
Store in a cool, dry place
Musgrove Willows’ Buff Willow is natural barked willow that is boiled for several hours. The tannins in the bark are released to create a lovely toffee color once the bark is stripped from the rod.
Key characteristics
Natural, bark-stripped willow with a toffee color.
Strength and flexibility suitable for baskets, sculptural weaving, furniture accents, and craft projects.
Because the bark is stripped during the Buff process, these rods absorb water and rehydrate at a different rate than standard brown willow. See our soaking guide for more information.
Packaging and sizing
Sold in 2 lb bundles.
4ft is about 200-220 rods
5ft is about 150-160 rods
6 ft is about 80-90 rods
Lengths measured by the foot, with typical tolerances:
4 ft: rods range between 3–4 feet
5 ft: rods range between 4–5 feet
6 ft: rods range between 5–6 feet
Care and storage
Store in a cool, dry place
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