Willow

Supple and resilient, willow carries the memory of an age-old craft: basketry itself. At Maison Douineau, we select raw, white and buff willow rods, calibrated to meet the needs of basket makers, creators and weaving enthusiasts alike. Let this living fibre guide your hands as you shape baskets, hampers and creations of your own.

9 products.

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Buff Willow

€45.00 VAT incl.
Brown Raw Willow

€53.00 VAT incl.
- New
Buff Willow Skein 5/6 mm

€45.00 VAT incl.
- Out-of-Stock
White Willow

€109.00 VAT incl.
- New
Amber Raw Willow – Alba Vitelina

€13.80 VAT incl.
- New
Fine Raw Willow – Purpurea Helix

€15.60 VAT incl.
- New
Dark Raw Willow – Purpurea Daphnoides

€15.00 VAT incl.
- New
Versatile Raw Willow – Purvil

€13.20 VAT incl.
- New
Robust Raw Willow – Belgian Red

€15.00 VAT incl.

Showing 1-9 of 9 item(s)

Willow, a story of material

Before it becomes a workshop material, willow is a young shoot cut from the tree each winter, once the leaves have fallen. This rustic, rural craft, passed down through generations of French willow growers, has made willow the natural companion of basketry for centuries. Its long, flexible fibre bends without ever breaking, giving skilled hands a living material to shape. At Maison Douineau, we select our rods with the same care our growers bring to harvesting them: a raw, authentic material carrying both the memory of a rural gesture and the future of a creative one.

Our willow: uses and applications

Three grades make up our range: raw willow, with its bark left on, for a natural, rustic look; white willow, peeled after soaking, for a bright, light tone; and buff willow, boiled with its bark on, for a warm reddish-brown colour. For repairing caned chairs and armchairs, our willow skin completes this selection perfectly. These varieties suit traditional basketry — baskets, hampers — as well as more contemporary creations: woven furniture, decorative structures, living fences or garden staking.

Choosing and caring for your willow

Choosing the right willow depends on your skill level and project: beginners will prefer white willow, more regular and easier to work with, while experienced basket makers will appreciate the texture of raw or buff willow. Before weaving, soaking for several hours to several days (depending on thickness) is essential to soften the rods and prevent them from snapping. Once your piece is finished, willow needs no special care: kept away from excess moisture, it holds up beautifully over the years.

Maison Douineau, sourcing expertise since 1850

For nearly two centuries, Maison Douineau has cultivated an intimate knowledge of plant fibres and the people who work them. This sourcing rigour, built on trusted relationships with our growers, lets us offer willow selected for its quality and consistency. Want to take your practice further? Discover our willow creation ideas and weaving techniques in the Vannerie DIY universe.