You can never have too many baskets.
Baskets are a versatile decor item. Large baskets are ideal for displaying throw blankets, while smaller ones hold soap, utensils, plants, and more. Natural materials bring warmth and texture to any room.
Especially striking are ombré baskets. They pair beautifully with boho decor but can complement coastal, farmhouse, or transitional styles as well.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make an ombré basket using raffia, tea staining, and a straight-sided container such as an oatmeal canister.
If you love raffia projects, try the popular seagrass charger dupe for a similar look.
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How to Make an Ombré Basket
Making an ombré basket involves braiding raffia, tea-dyeing some braids, and coiling them around a straight-sided container. Below are step-by-step tips for creating sturdy handles and a smooth ombré transition.
Materials and Tools
- Raffia ribbon
- Black tea (for dyeing)
- Empty 42 oz. oatmeal container or another straight-sided container
- Hot glue gun (and glue sticks)
1. Braid your raffia
Cut the raffia into bundles about 30 inches long. Group the raffia into sets of three strands and tie or tape the top. Braid each set using a simple over-center braiding motion until you reach the end, then secure the tail.
Make around 20 braided ropes to start. You can create more as needed, but this quantity is a solid base for the project.
Secret Source for Cheap Raffia
If you use a lot of raffia, consider purchasing raffia luau skirts during summer sales. They provide a large amount of tangle-free raffia at a low cost, which is great for frequent crafters.
2. Tea stain eight (8) braids of raffia
Brew a strong pot of black tea (about 8 oz boiling water with four tea bags). After it cools slightly, remove the bags and submerge four of the braided ropes in the tea.
Let those four steep for one hour. Then add the remaining four braids and steep all eight braids together for another hour.
This staged steeping gives you two shades of caramel: the first four braids will be darker (two hours total), and the second four will be lighter (one hour total). Remove the braids and let them dry completely.
3. Cut an oatmeal container to size
If you’re using a straight-sided container other than an oatmeal can, you may not need to cut anything. For an oatmeal canister, create the desired height by trimming the top.
To plan handles, loop a dark braid with both ends at the bottom of the canister, spaced about 2.5 inches apart. Measure 2 inches down from the top of the loop and mark that level around the canister every few inches. Connect the marks to form a cutting guide.
Use a serrated knife to carefully cut the canister along the guideline, creating a clean rim for the basket.
4. Attach your basket handles
Use hot glue to secure one end of a dark braided loop to the bottom edge of the container and the other end 2.5 inches to the left. Repeat on the opposite side, aligning the handles so they mirror each other.
5. Wrap the canister in the rest of the braids
Sort your braids into dark, medium, and light groups. Start by gluing a dark braid at the bottom edge, pressing it flush to hide the container edge. Wrap the braid around the canister and glue it over the handle to conceal the handle attachment points. Trim the braid where it meets the starting end to create a nearly invisible seam.
Place subsequent rows along that seam so the back of the basket hides minor imperfections. For the second row, glue the braid behind the handle to build a layered, secure finish.
Continue with dark braids first, then medium, and finally light braids to form the ombré progression.
For a polished edge, glue one last braid along the inside rim of the canister. This hides any exposed cardboard and gives the basket a finished look.
6. Finish the basket handles
Secure each handle to the side of the basket with a solid bead of hot glue along the full length of the handle. Press firmly so the handle bonds without gaps and sits flush against the raffia wrapping.
Your ombré basket is complete!
This DIY yields a surprisingly substantial, attractive basket that looks far more expensive than the materials suggest. For additional refinement, add a fabric lining to fully conceal the container interior and create a softer finish. Enjoy your new ombré basket — stylish, practical, and easy to make.