Materials:

3" Double Slotted Base & CD Wire Handles Supplied by C & D BASKETS

 7MM Flat Reed dyed and natural for Stakes

3/16"  Flat Reed dyed and natural for Weavers

7MM  Flat Oval for Rim

11/64" Flat for Lashing

 Seagrass (rim filler)

Weaving Instructions:

Cut 20 spokes 6" long from both the dyed and natural 7mm flat reed.  Soak the colored ones briefly in warm water.  Insert the colored spokes evenly spaced in the upper groove of the double slotted base with the right side of the reed facing up.  Trim two pieces of 3/16" dyed flat reed for about 15" to a width of 1/8".

You will weave and chase these two weavers.  Insert the first piece under a spoke and weave in and over-under manner securing the spokes into the base.  The first five rows of weaving are done flat on the table with the right side of the reed facing you.  Weave the first row around stopping on the spoke to the right of the start.  Add the second weaver under the spoke to the right of the starting spoke and weave around until you are one spoke behind the first weaver.  Now weave the first weaver around until you are one spoke behind the second weaver.  Continue in this manner, lifting the basket off the table and gently upsetting the spokes after the first five rows.  Weave to the desired height.  Taper the weavers again and end the weaving so that the basket height is equal all around the basket.

Next complete the outside basket by inserting the 7mm natural spokes in the lower slat, positioning one over each of the colored ones of the inner basket.  The inner basket will serve as a mold for the outer one so it is important to push all outside spokes tightly7 against the inside basket.  Align spokes of both baskets and keep them aligned as you weave the outer basket.  This is essential in order to lash the rim easily.  Again taper two weavers of 3/16" natural flat reed and weave in the chase manner until the outside basket is about five rows shorter that the inside.  Taper weavers to en the weave and chase.  Complete that pattern section of 4 rows alternating rows of colored reed with natural reed, making sure that the baskets are the exact height and all the outside and inside spokes are aligned.  

Weave a rim row of stop-n-start joining the two baskets together. Insert handles, if desired.  cut off all the natural spokes flush with the rim row.  Cut and tuck the colored spokes to the inside of the colored basket.  Apply a rim using 7mm flat oval, seagrass as a filler, and lash in place with 11/64" Flat Reed.

The Basket Place

Rita Laferriere

129 Community Building Road

East Haven, VT  05837

rital@together.net