This pretty little basket features dyed reed in a cross pattern of stakes and weavers, a filled base and decorative leather handles. Base measures 7½"x 9 ½", top is about 12"x10", and basket is 8" tall.

Materials:

¾" flat natural reed for stakes

½" flat dyed reed for weavers & stakes

¼" natural reed for weavers & lasher

¼" dyed reed for weavers

3/8" flat natural reed for weavers, fillers & rim row

Seagrass for rim filler

1/2''or 5/8'' flat oval for rims

leather side handles available from Baskets of Joy

You will need:

Basketry shears

Measuring tape

Clothespins or clips

Awl

Small tub for soaking reed

Pencil

Read all instructions carefully before you begin to weave your basket. We hope you will enjoy weaving this basket!

STEP ONE

Preparation:

· From the ¾" flat reed, cut5 stakes each 36" (long) & 4 stakes each 32" (short).

· From the ½" dyed reed cut 5 stakes each 32" (short) & 3 stakes each 36" (long).

· From the 3/8" flat reed, cut 6 fillers each 21" long.

· Soak stakes and round reed until pliable, just a few minutes. (All reed is soaked prior to weaving, but do not over-soak the dyed reed or it will run. To avoid this while weaving, run each piece of reed through a piece of paper towel prior to weaving.)

· Find the rough side of the stakes. Mark the center of the rough side of each stake with a pencil; also mark the center of the handle bottom.

STEP TWO

Construction:

· Mark the centers of the spokes and lay out one dyed ½ long stake and one 3/8 filler on each side of it. The will all be rough side up, horizontal and touching. This is the beginning of your "loom".

· Next, weave in one dyed ½ short stake vertically over the ½ dyed stake and under the two fillers.

· Weave a ¾ natural short stake on each side of the dyed one. Weave under the horizontal dyed stakes and over the fillers.

· These three horizontal and three vertical stakes have formed your "loom" that will hold the remaining stakes in place.

· Horizontally, weave a natural long stake on each side of the fillers. Add a set of fillers to the base. Now add a set of dyed stakes, a set of fillers, and finally a set of natural stakes. Pack tightly.

· Vertically, add the short spokes: a set of dyed, a set of natural, and a set of dyed. Turn basket over. (You are now looking at the smooth side of the reed).

· On the outside of the basket, fold the filler spokes over the base and trim to a point. Leave enough length for tucking-you will cross them and insert them under the second vertical spoke from the edge. Do this to all the fillers. Turn basket over. (You are now looking at the rough side of the reed again).

· Upset all remaining spokes.

· Weave 3 rows of 3/8 flat natural reed in the over-under, start-stop manner. Be sure to bring the sides up straight as you weave these rows.

· On the remaining rows ease the sides so they open up slightly, allowing your basket to relax a bit.

· Weave 10 rows of ¼ reed, alternating dyed with natural. See photo-you need to be sure your dyed rows weave OVER the dyed stakes and under the dyed stakes. Adjust your weaving accordingly.

· Now weave in the following pattern:

o One row of 3/8 natural, making sure the natural goes UNDER natural stakes (if not, do one more row of ¼ to make this happen).

o One row of ¼ dyed.

o One row of ½ dyed.

o One row of 3/8 natural.

o One row of ½ dyed.

o One row of ¼ dyed.

o One row of 3/8 natural.

o One row of ¼ natural.

o One row of ¼ dyed.

o One row of ¼ natural.

· Weave one row with 3/8 reed for your rim row.

Finishing the Basket:

Please note: this handle attachment method is for decorative purposes. If you intend to pick the basket up by the handles, be sure to attach the handles securely with additional lashing or use an alternate method of attaching the handles.

We stained our basket a bit more darkly than usual because we wanted that nice, rich color to show off our dyed pattern.

Happy Weaving!  Kits may be ordered from Baskets Of Joy 1-800-377-6097.

Laurie's Country Crafts