Weaving the Base

Sort through your 1" Flat material and choose the heavier weight pieces for the stakes. Cut 9 pieces (stakes) 30" long and 13 stakes 25" long from 1" Flat Reed. Soak all the stakes. Mark two stakes--one that's 30" long and one that's 25" long, in the center on the rough side of the reed with a pencil.

Place a twist-tie around the center mark of the 25" marked stake and lay it on top of the 30" marked stake at a 90 degree angle, aligning the marks. See Photo.

NOTE: The twist-tie identifies the center of the base. All stakes will be woven rough side up and placed about 1/4" apart; as you add each stake to your base, align its ends with the ends of these center stakes. Weave all 25" stakes parallel to the center 25" stake; weave all 30" stakes parallel to the center 30" stake.

Next, weave a stake above the center horizontal 25" stake and one below, placing each of these stakes under the center stake. Align stake ends.

Next, weave 1 30" stake to the right and one to the left of the 30" center stake; weaving over the center stake and under the other 2 stakes. Space all stakes just about 1/4" apart and align the ends. Secure with clothespins as needed. See Photo.

Continue adding stakes, working outward from the center, until you have interwoven all 22 stakes. The woven area (base) should measure 11" x 16" with stakes extending about 7" from the edge of the base on each side.

Soak the base and upset the basket by creasing each stake at the edge of the base.

Weave the sides in plain weave (rough side to the inside) according to the following:
Row 1*	1" Flat Reed
Row 2-3	1/2" Flat Reed
Row 4**	#0 Sea Grass - Twine this row
Row 5***	1/4" Dyed Flat Reed
Row 6	#0 Sea Grass - Twine this row
Row 7***	1/2" Flat Reed
Row 8	1/2" Flat Reed
Row 9	3/8" Flat reed

 

*Weave over/outside the fourth stake from each corner on the long sides (for handle placement later).

**If your sea grass is in one long piece, fold the piece in half and begin twining--after completing Row 4, lay the length of sea grass to the inside of your basket, weave Row 5 with 1/4", then bring the sea grass to the outside and twine Row 6. Anchor all loose ends of sea grass behind a couple of weavers on the inside of your basket.

***Weave Rows 5, and 7 in same pattern as Row 3.

Pack rows. Crease, trim to length, then tuck each stake where the top row of weaver is on the inside of the basket. Hide each tucked end behind a row of 1/2" Flat (Row 7) on the inside of your basket. Cut all remaining stakes flush with the top of the basket.

To attach the handles, the handles’ ears will be inserted behind some weavers on the outside and inside of the basket, along a chosen stake. With a circumference of about 54", the handles will fit into the basket along the fourth stake from each corner on the long sides (see photo of completed basket).

Before inserting the ears, cut off the "legs" of each ear so that the end of the "leg" on the outside of the basket will hide behind the weaver on Row 1. Taper the "legs'" cut end with a knife or sandpaper so it will more easily slip into position. Repeat for each ear. If you haven’t already done so, place ears into handles.

Inserting the handles is much easier if the sides of the basket are completely dry. Using a bone folder or packing tool to assist in prying the weavers along the selected stake, insert an end of one "leg" behind the top row of Sea Grass on the outside of the basket. Now, look to the inside of the basket and, prying with the tool, push the inside ‘leg’ of that ear behind the rows of Sea Grass. Work the ear downward behind the weavers, inside and outside, until the lower edge of the notch is level with the lower edge of the top row of weaving. Insert each ear as described.

Note: Follow the link How to Use a Swing Handle with Ears. Click on "Using Swing Handles with Ears - opens in new window" when you get there for Easy instructions using Swing Handle with Ears in your baskets.

Soak the 1/2" Flat Oval. Determine the rim lengths, allowing about a 4" overlap. Mark and carve the overlap.

Attach rims and #3 Sea Grass rim filler to the basket with cable ties.

Using 1/4" Flat Reed, single lash the rims to the basket, creating a backstitch at each ear.

Enjoy carrying food and sharing with friends!