This is a basket bag handwoven from water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that grows naturally in gently flowing rivers and ponds. We introduce four types of structured, box-shaped handbags with tightly woven surfaces.
There is the nearly square M size and the wider L size, each available in both lined and unlined versions.
Even among water hyacinth products, the types of items—such as baskets, basket bags, small containers, and pot mats—vary depending on the artisans (region) and weaving techniques.
Most artisans are women in their 40s to 70s. Most of them weave baskets within village groups or as part of family-based teams.
Many artisans weave as a full-time occupation, while others make baskets alongside their farming activities. Those working part-time often pause weaving during harvest seasons to focus on agriculture.
As with Krajood basketry, although young weavers remain few, there is a renewed appreciation within Thailand for natural material products, and it seems that more young people are starting to take an interest in basketry.
After harvesting, water hyacinth is thoroughly sun-dried and then fumigated.Fumigation removes moisture from the material, making it stable for basket weaving. It also helps deter insects.Depending on the artisan, fumigation may be done either after drying or after the basket has been woven.The basket is woven in a pattern that resembles “matsuba-ami,” a technique seen in Japanese Akebi basketry. Its name comes from how the horizontal stalks split in two, resembling pine needles.The weave is tight and gapless, resulting in a sturdy construction.This is the rim. The vertical stalks are twisted into a cord-like form and woven in to finish the edge.This is the top view. The rim is firmly finished with a four-strand braid. Depending on the thickness and width of the material, the weave’s width and fineness may vary. Differences also occur depending on the artisan. Please understand that we deliver what is available at the time of arrival.This is the joint section where the handle is attached to the rim. The braided handle is threaded through the basket’s weave.This is the view from inside the basket. The rope-like handle is tied and secured. Please avoid lifting or pulling the basket by only one handle, as it may cause damage.The handles are also made from water hyacinth, crafted by weaving slender strips together. Please hold both handles evenly when carrying the bag.The structure is firm and boxy, holding its shape without collapsing.In the photo, the bag on the left is unlined, while the one on the right has a fabric lining. The lining is made from a light, thin cotton fabric, so there is little difference in weight between the lined and unlined types.Both sizes feature a small inner pocket in the lining—perfect for keys, cards, or a phone.The fabric is securely stitched to the basket from the inside, attaching directly to the weave.Now, let us introduce each type. This is the M size with lining.It is large enough to hold a wallet, keys, phone, and a small pouch.This is the M size without lining.Compact and easy to carry around.This is the L size with lining.In addition to valuables, it can hold a book, a water bottle, and a light jacket.This is the L size without lining.The basket itself is relatively light, so even when filled, it feels easy and light to carry.
Although the weave may look somewhat loose at first glance, each stitch is tightly secured, making the bag sturdy and reliable to use.
Since water hyacinth is particularly sensitive to humidity, a matte varnish has been applied to the entire basket as a finishing touch. This coating helps prevent the material from absorbing moisture.
For storage, it is best to keep the basket indoors in a well-ventilated place to avoid humidity. It is better to store it on a higher shelf or hang it rather than leaving it on the floor. If you live in a two-story house, storing it on the upper floor is recommended.
This water hyacinth handbag has a boxy, charming shape. It pairs beautifully with any outfit—from dresses to denim and T-shirts. Coordinating it with a stole or a hat sounds like fun, too.
Please choose the type that suits you best.
About Water Hyacinth Craftwork in Thailand
Also known as “hotei aoi” in Japanese, water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that floats and grows on the surfaces of lakes, marshes, ponds, and gently flowing rivers.
This plant is commonly found throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, and basketry using water hyacinth can be seen in many regions.
In Thailand, water hyacinth can be harvested year-round, but it is said that healthier plants are harvested outside of the dry season (January to April). The color of the grass (and thus the basket) also varies depending on the harvesting region.
Various methods are used in processing: splitting the thick stems into different widths for weaving, twisting the stems into rope-like strands before weaving, peeling the stems thinly and wrapping them, or compressing and shaping them. Water hyacinth is a material that is relatively easy to work with. For baskets and basket bags, weaving is often done along wooden molds, while items like pot mats and slippers are typically crafted by hand without molds, relying on the artisan’s sense of touch.
The pieces introduced here are crafted in the fertile central plains of Thailand, along the Chao Phraya River, where rice-growing regions spread across Suphanburi, Ang Thong, and Chainat provinces.
This is a basket bag handwoven from water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that grows naturally in gently flowing rivers and ponds. We introduce four types of structured, box-shaped handbags with tightly woven surfaces.
There is the nearly square M size and the wider L size, each available in both lined and unlined versions.
Even among water hyacinth products, the types of items—such as baskets, basket bags, small containers, and pot mats—vary depending on the artisans (region) and weaving techniques.
Most artisans are women in their 40s to 70s. Most of them weave baskets within village groups or as part of family-based teams.
Many artisans weave as a full-time occupation, while others make baskets alongside their farming activities. Those working part-time often pause weaving during harvest seasons to focus on agriculture.
As with Krajood basketry, although young weavers remain few, there is a renewed appreciation within Thailand for natural material products, and it seems that more young people are starting to take an interest in basketry.
After harvesting, water hyacinth is thoroughly sun-dried and then fumigated.Fumigation removes moisture from the material, making it stable for basket weaving. It also helps deter insects.Depending on the artisan, fumigation may be done either after drying or after the basket has been woven.The basket is woven in a pattern that resembles “matsuba-ami,” a technique seen in Japanese Akebi basketry. Its name comes from how the horizontal stalks split in two, resembling pine needles.The weave is tight and gapless, resulting in a sturdy construction.This is the rim. The vertical stalks are twisted into a cord-like form and woven in to finish the edge.This is the top view. The rim is firmly finished with a four-strand braid. Depending on the thickness and width of the material, the weave’s width and fineness may vary. Differences also occur depending on the artisan. Please understand that we deliver what is available at the time of arrival.This is the joint section where the handle is attached to the rim. The braided handle is threaded through the basket’s weave.This is the view from inside the basket. The rope-like handle is tied and secured. Please avoid lifting or pulling the basket by only one handle, as it may cause damage.The handles are also made from water hyacinth, crafted by weaving slender strips together. Please hold both handles evenly when carrying the bag.The structure is firm and boxy, holding its shape without collapsing.In the photo, the bag on the left is unlined, while the one on the right has a fabric lining. The lining is made from a light, thin cotton fabric, so there is little difference in weight between the lined and unlined types.Both sizes feature a small inner pocket in the lining—perfect for keys, cards, or a phone.The fabric is securely stitched to the basket from the inside, attaching directly to the weave.Now, let us introduce each type. This is the M size with lining.It is large enough to hold a wallet, keys, phone, and a small pouch.This is the M size without lining.Compact and easy to carry around.This is the L size with lining.In addition to valuables, it can hold a book, a water bottle, and a light jacket.This is the L size without lining.The basket itself is relatively light, so even when filled, it feels easy and light to carry.
Although the weave may look somewhat loose at first glance, each stitch is tightly secured, making the bag sturdy and reliable to use.
Since water hyacinth is particularly sensitive to humidity, a matte varnish has been applied to the entire basket as a finishing touch. This coating helps prevent the material from absorbing moisture.
For storage, it is best to keep the basket indoors in a well-ventilated place to avoid humidity. It is better to store it on a higher shelf or hang it rather than leaving it on the floor. If you live in a two-story house, storing it on the upper floor is recommended.
This water hyacinth handbag has a boxy, charming shape. It pairs beautifully with any outfit—from dresses to denim and T-shirts. Coordinating it with a stole or a hat sounds like fun, too.
Please choose the type that suits you best.
About Water Hyacinth Craftwork in Thailand
Also known as “hotei aoi” in Japanese, water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that floats and grows on the surfaces of lakes, marshes, ponds, and gently flowing rivers.
This plant is commonly found throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, and basketry using water hyacinth can be seen in many regions.
In Thailand, water hyacinth can be harvested year-round, but it is said that healthier plants are harvested outside of the dry season (January to April). The color of the grass (and thus the basket) also varies depending on the harvesting region.
Various methods are used in processing: splitting the thick stems into different widths for weaving, twisting the stems into rope-like strands before weaving, peeling the stems thinly and wrapping them, or compressing and shaping them. Water hyacinth is a material that is relatively easy to work with. For baskets and basket bags, weaving is often done along wooden molds, while items like pot mats and slippers are typically crafted by hand without molds, relying on the artisan’s sense of touch.
The pieces introduced here are crafted in the fertile central plains of Thailand, along the Chao Phraya River, where rice-growing regions spread across Suphanburi, Ang Thong, and Chainat provinces.
This is a basket bag handwoven from water hyacinth, an aquatic plant that grows naturally in gently flowing rivers and ponds. We introduce four types of structured, box-shaped handbags with tightly woven surfaces.
There is the nearly square M size and the wider L size, each available in both lined and unlined versions.
Even among water hyacinth products, the types of items—such as baskets, basket bags, small containers, and pot mats—vary depending on the artisans (region) and weaving techniques.
Most artisans are women in their 40s to 70s. Most of them weave baskets within village groups or as part of family-based teams.
Many artisans weave as a full-time occupation, while others make baskets alongside their farming activities. Those working part-time often pause weaving during harvest seasons to focus on agriculture.
As with Krajood basketry, although young weavers remain few, there is a renewed appreciation within Thailand for natural material products, and it seems that more young people are starting to take an interest in basketry.
After harvesting, water hyacinth is thoroughly sun-dried and then fumigated.Fumigation removes moisture from the material, making it stable for basket weaving. It also helps deter insects.Depending on the artisan, fumigation may be done either after drying or after the basket has been woven.The basket is woven in a pattern that resembles “matsuba-ami,” a technique seen in Japanese Akebi basketry. Its name comes from how the horizontal stalks split in two, resembling pine needles.The weave is tight and gapless, resulting in a sturdy construction.This is the rim. The vertical stalks are twisted into a cord-like form and woven in to finish the edge.This is the top view. The rim is firmly finished with a four-strand braid. Depending on the thickness and width of the material, the weave’s width and fineness may vary. Differences also occur depending on the artisan. Please understand that we deliver what is available at the time of arrival.This is the joint section where the handle is attached to the rim. The braided handle is threaded through the basket’s weave.This is the view from inside the basket. The rope-like handle is tied and secured. Please avoid lifting or pulling the basket by only one handle, as it may cause damage.The handles are also made from water hyacinth, crafted by weaving slender strips together. Please hold both handles evenly when carrying the bag.The structure is firm and boxy, holding its shape without collapsing.In the photo, the bag on the left is unlined, while the one on the right has a fabric lining. The lining is made from a light, thin cotton fabric, so there is little difference in weight between the lined and unlined types.Both sizes feature a small inner pocket in the lining—perfect for keys, cards, or a phone.The fabric is securely stitched to the basket from the inside, attaching directly to the weave.Now, let us introduce each type. This is the M size with lining.It is large enough to hold a wallet, keys, phone, and a small pouch.This is the M size without lining.Compact and easy to carry around.This is the L size with lining.In addition to valuables, it can hold a book, a water bottle, and a light jacket.This is the L size without lining.The basket itself is relatively light, so even when filled, it feels easy and light to carry.
Although the weave may look somewhat loose at first glance, each stitch is tightly secured, making the bag sturdy and reliable to use.
Since water hyacinth is particularly sensitive to humidity, a matte varnish has been applied to the entire basket as a finishing touch. This coating helps prevent the material from absorbing moisture.
For storage, it is best to keep the basket indoors in a well-ventilated place to avoid humidity. It is better to store it on a higher shelf or hang it rather than leaving it on the floor. If you live in a two-story house, storing it on the upper floor is recommended.
This water hyacinth handbag has a boxy, charming shape. It pairs beautifully with any outfit—from dresses to denim and T-shirts. Coordinating it with a stole or a hat sounds like fun, too.
Please choose the type that suits you best.
About Water Hyacinth Craftwork in Thailand
Also known as “hotei aoi” in Japanese, water hyacinth is an aquatic plant that floats and grows on the surfaces of lakes, marshes, ponds, and gently flowing rivers.
This plant is commonly found throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, and basketry using water hyacinth can be seen in many regions.
In Thailand, water hyacinth can be harvested year-round, but it is said that healthier plants are harvested outside of the dry season (January to April). The color of the grass (and thus the basket) also varies depending on the harvesting region.
Various methods are used in processing: splitting the thick stems into different widths for weaving, twisting the stems into rope-like strands before weaving, peeling the stems thinly and wrapping them, or compressing and shaping them. Water hyacinth is a material that is relatively easy to work with. For baskets and basket bags, weaving is often done along wooden molds, while items like pot mats and slippers are typically crafted by hand without molds, relying on the artisan’s sense of touch.
The pieces introduced here are crafted in the fertile central plains of Thailand, along the Chao Phraya River, where rice-growing regions spread across Suphanburi, Ang Thong, and Chainat provinces.
