Senegalese Baskets & Hampers

Shown above from left to right: Senegal knitting basket, medium hamper, large hamper, bath bin, and warming basket.

Senegalese baskets are woven from thick coils of cattail grass stalks, held together with interwoven thin, plastic strips that are upcycled from a Senegalese prayer mat factory. 

Cattail stalks are also called sweetgrass for its sweet, grassy scent. Most people find the scent very pleasant, and it will dissipate with time. 

Handmade Variation

Each Senegalese basket is beautifully handmade by a skilled Wolof weaver. We partner with a group of around 100 women weavers, working together in a rural community. These women are highly talented; they are also working with a mix of upcycled and natural materials (upcycled plastics and grass), and all together that means that each basket will be unique.

We do our best to represent each basket in our photos online, while recognizing that each basket will arrive from Senegal with unique characteristics. We consider this to be a beautiful feature of handmade goods. Each basket shows the hand of the maker, and no 2 are ever exactly alike.

Here are some ways you can expect baskets to vary:

• Sizes can vary by several inches. 
• The natural grass coils range from tan, yellow, green, and pink.
• Handles are crafted from the same plastic strips used to make the baskets, and will vary within the color scheme of the basket. For instance, a blue and cream hamper set may have handles in cream, blue, or a braided mix of the 2 colors.
• Shape can vary slightly. For instance, lids may be more pointed or more domed.
• Pattern placement can vary.
• Colors may vary slightly.

Quality Control

We quality check each basket here in our Eugene, Oregon warehouse. You can expect your basket to:

• Arrive undamaged.
• Have a lid that fits.
• Match our photos and description to the best of our ability.

Baskets that do not meet our quality control standards are sold at our warehouse outlet. Come visit us if you're local!

Basket Sizes

We stock Senegalese baskets in a variety of useful shapes and sizes. Read on for ideas about how they compare and how to use them! Please keep in mind that measurements are approximate.

Medium Hampers

Size: most measure approximately 24"T x 15"W; check the individual product listings for measurements. Handmade baskets will vary in size up to several inches.

Use it for:

• One large load of laundry
• Storing textiles like towels or blankets
• Toy storage

Large Hampers

Our large hampers are surprisingly roomy! Size: most measure approximately 28"T x 16"W or larger; check the individual product listings for measurements. Handmade baskets will vary in size up to several inches.

Use it for:

• Multiple loads of laundry
• Storing bulky textiles like blankets and pillows

Flat Lidded Hampers

Size: most measure approximately 19"H x 14"D; check the individual product listings for measurements. Handmade baskets will vary in size up to several inches.

Use it for:

• One large load of laundry
• Storing textiles like towels or blankets
• Toy storage

Knitting Baskets

Size: most measure approximately 18"L x 11"T x 10"W; check the individual product listings for measurements. Handmade baskets will vary in size up to several inches.

Use it for:

• Storing multiple skeins of yarn for knitting
• Shoes and slippers
• Toy storage
• Craft supply storage
• Rolled towels, hand towels, and washcloths
• Newspapers or magazines

Bath Bins

Size: most measure approximately 13"T x 12"W; check the individual product listings for measurements. Handmade baskets will vary in size up to several inches.

Use it for:

• A small garbage bin with a liner
• Rolled towels, hand towels, and washcloths
• Holding a large potted plant
• Newspapers or magazines
• Holding extra rolls of toilet paper

Warming Baskets 

Size: most measure approximately 12"W, with height varying between the flat lid and pointed lid options; check the individual product listings for measurements. Handmade baskets will vary in size up to several inches.

Use it for:

• Line with a towel and fill with baked goods, like cookies or bread, for a housewarming gift. This is why we named it the "warming basket!"
• Storing cloth masks
• Small toy storage
• Corralling small items and clutter, like remotes or mail
• As a table centerpiece
• Lidded countertop storage for toiletries, like makeup or hair brushes

Caring for Senegalese Baskets

Senegal baskets are easy to care for. Visit our Basket Care & Reshaping page to learn about caring for your Senegal baskets.