Basket making begins with gathering the cane. This is not an easy task, since cane grows in wet, swampy areas and is increasingly difficult to find. Spring is the best time for gathering, although cane maybe harvested through the late fall. The ideal size is a matter of individual preference; most basket makers like to work with cane that has matured to a height of at least six feet.

Once the cane is cut, the weaver uses a small, sharp knife to slice the thin top layer into strips. A skilled maker can get from four to six strips from a single piece of cane.

The next step is to dye the cane strips. Originally, basket makers used natural materials such as berries, flowers, roots, or bark to color the cane. When commerical dyes became widely available, they gradually came into use and are used almost exclusively today.

Basket makers create a variety of patterns by weaving together the colored and natural strips of cane. While traditional forms such as the egg basket and traditional patterns like the diamond design are common, many basket makers like to experiment with color, pattern and shape.