The process of creating a Bolga basket requires considerable patience and dexterity. Elephant grass is harvested and dried, and then each straw is split into two parts and twisted together. Weavers soak the straws before using them to make them more pliable. To begin a basket, even numbers of straws are overlapped in an X pattern to create the warp strands. Two additional straws are inserted between the strands and then woven around the base straws, one after the other creating the weft. The process continues until the desired base is created, and then the weaver begins to shape the basket by gently pulling the spokes upward. To finish the basket, the spokes of the weft are folded over and woven into the pattern. A final straw is inserted into the top loops to hold the basket together. The weft is then pulled tight, and the remaining strands can either be trimmed or left to soften into an additional element. 

Some straws are dyed vibrant colors, which can be added to create patterns. Experienced weavers can also separate the twisted straws and create a double weave. This method is more flexible, allowing the weaver to shape the basket into the unique shapes that Bolga baskets are known for. 

I understood the basic process of weaving, but I struggled with the degree of dexterity necessary to achieve consistent results. Each strand needs to be pulled tight after wrapping, but pulling too tight resulted in a warped shape. I also found it difficult to curve the basket to create the traditional round shape, and so my basket is a bit more geometric on the sides. It was meditative to sit and weave in the courtyard, and hours slipped by before I realized it was time to take a break for lunch.  I have seen this happen with my students when they become engaged in a weaving project. I am eager to experiment with other materials native to Connecticut to see how these skills can be applied to my own classroom.