Overview of soaking for different types of willow
16 March 2026
How long should you soak willow rods?
One of the most common questions we are asked is how long willow rods should be soaked before weaving.
Basketry willow is supplied fully dried. Before it can be used, it needs to be placed in water so the rods absorb moisture and become flexible enough to weave.
As a general guide, dried willow usually needs around one day of soaking for each foot of rod length in early summer-early autumn.
For example
- 3 ft rods around 3 days
- 4 ft rods around 4 days
- 5 ft rods around 5 days
- 6 ft rods around 6 days
This rule works well as a starting point, but it is only a guide. Soaking time can vary depending on rod thickness, variety, temperature and the conditions the rods have been stored in.
Most experienced basketmakers judge readiness by feel rather than time. A properly soaked rod should bend smoothly without cracking and feel flexible but still lively in the hand.
Different types of willow behave differently
Different types of willow absorb water at different rates, so soaking times can vary. Our detailed guide covering the main willow types can be found in soaking times for different willow varieties.
From there, you can explore guidance for specific types of willow.
• Brown willow soaking times and tips
• White willow soaking times and tips
• Buff willow soaking times and tips
• Buff noir willow soaking times and tips
• Steamed willow soaking times and tips
• Semi-dry willow soaking times and tips
• Hurdle willow soaking times and tips
• Lantern and craft willow soaking times and tips
• Caledendron willow soaking times and tips
• Willow tops soaking times and tips
• Coloured willow soaking times and tips
After soaking – allowing willow to mellow
Once soaking is complete, the rods are usually wrapped and left to mellow before weaving.
Mellowing allows the moisture absorbed during soaking to distribute evenly through the rods. Without this step, the outside of the rod may feel flexible while the centre remains comparatively dry.
In many cases, a day or two of mellowing is enough, although thicker rods may take longer.
More detailed guidance can be found in How to mellow willow after soaking.
Seasonal differences when soaking willow
Temperature also affects soaking times.
In colder weather, willow may take longer to absorb water, while in warmer weather, soaking can happen more quickly, and rods may mellow faster.
Further seasonal guidance can be found in
• Soaking willow in winter
• Soaking willow in summer
Other guides on preparing willow
Some guides focus on soaking methods rather than the type of willow.
• How to soak buff and brown willow using soaking bags
• How to store dried willow
