Hand-Carried Baskets: Handmade Moroccan Totes for Shopping

Hand-carried baskets are the baskets you see in every Moroccan market: short handles, a wide opening and a deep weave that takes the shopping home. Ours are woven by hand from doum palm and finished with leather, sisal or doum handles. We have 29 hand-carried baskets in the hand-carried baskets collection.

Short handles, wide opening

A hand-carried basket is carried by the handles in the hand or in the crook of the arm. The shape is usually wider than it is tall, so it is easy to fill and to see into. Our models measure from about 28 to 46 cm long, 7 to 22 cm wide and 22 to 40 cm high, and they come in sizes from M to XL.

Leather, sisal or doum handles

Leather handles are smooth and soften with use. Sisal handles are rope-like, strong and very natural-looking. Doum palm handles keep the whole basket in one material. Pick the one you like to hold: flat leather is gentle on the hand, sisal gives a rustic look.

Our picks

• Straw Basket with Short Doum Palm Handles – XL – 32 × 18 × 40 cm
• Straw Basket with Short Sisal Handles – XL – 32 × 18 × 40 cm
• Marrakech Basket with Short Flat Leather Handles – L – 37 × 14 × 40 cm; colours: Brown, Camel, Natural
• Mogador Basket Bag with Large Leather Handle – L – 46 × 18 × 33 cm; colours: Black, Camel
• Straw Tote Bag with Leather Bands and Rolled Handles – 28 × 16 × 30 cm; colours: Brown, Camel

What to use it for

Shopping and farmers’ markets, a picnic basket, a beach basket, or simply a relaxed everyday bag. The Mogador basket bag has a large leather handle, which makes it closer to a handbag.

Make it yours

Many of our baskets and bags can be personalised: add a name or a short text and choose the colour of the lettering from our palette of 27 thread colours. See all the personalised pieces.

How to care for it

Keep the palm weave dry: avoid soaking it, and if it gets wet, shake off the water, shape it by hand and let it dry flat in the shade. When you are not using it, stuff it lightly with paper and store it away from damp. The leather is genuine leather, so it softens and darkens naturally with use and gains character over time.

Frequently asked questions

Will the handles hold a heavy load? Yes, for normal shopping loads. Choose a size up if you often carry a lot, and check the handle type in the product description.

Is the basket lined? Many models offer an optional lining: look for the Lining option on the product page.

What colours are available? Camel, brown and natural, and a few in black or doum palm colour. Each product page lists its colours.

Shop hand-carried baskets

Browse all hand-carried baskets, or compare with our shoulder baskets. Learn about our family workshop here.

We ship with DHL: allow about 3 to 10 working days for Europe and 7 to 12 working days for the USA and Canada, counted from the order date. Customs fees and taxes are not included. Read our delivery and returns page for the full conditions, or contact us with any question.

More guides: Moroccan straw baskets and bags: how to choose · Shoulder baskets · Straw shoulder bags · Straw backpacks.