Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Merit Badge of the Week: Basketry


Basketry is one of the merit badges we often encourage new Scouts to do.  Young hands seem to be able to pull this off, even though it means sitting for hours to accomplish the final.


With only a few requirements, it is a great way to teach the steps to earning a merit badge in general--not to mention making something useful to boot!


To earn this merit badge, a Scout needs to be patient.  This is all about practice of basic skills--not a lot of bookwork--although reading the merit badge series book is always recommended.
    Resources
    1. Always start with "Introduction to Merit Badges" for the steps to a successful merit badge
    2. Worksheet on Basketry merit badge from USScouts.org.
    3. Individual square baskets from Scoutstuff.org.
    4. ...and round ones from Scoutstuff.org.
    5. The final project is a campstool--Scoutstuff offers the Flat Reed Campstool Kit.
    6. How to make a split white oak basket: video is good and very educational, audio is kind of spotty.
    7. Video series on basketweaving by Nancy Jacobs--18 in all.
    8. Her blog on basketweaving is Basketmaster's Weavings.  Check out this list of amazing tools.
    9. Amazon's list of basketweaving books, from simple to advanced.
    10. Index of Basket Weaving How-to-Pages--now this is a resource, with lots of categories over on the left side of the page!
    Related BSA merit badges: Leatherwork, Metalwork, Pottery, Sculpture, Textile, Wood Carving


    Did you ever earn this merit badge? Do you have any resources for the Basketry merit badge?  Share in the Comments below!

    2 comments:

    Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

    I appreciate you mentioning me in your resources list. Thanks!
    Have a great day.
    Nancy Jacobs

    Scoutsigns said...

    You are quite welcome! I liked the resources.