Autumn Tote

Autumn Tote

copyright 2010 by Baskets Of Joy

Choose a country pumpkin or sliced apple as the final touch on this sweet seasonal basket. Base is 12" x 6", 9" to top of rim, 8" x 15" to top.

 
Materials:
8" notched handle, RNH-8 available from Baskets Of Joy
5/8" flat natural reed for stakes & some dyed for accent
½" flat reed for weavers & one piece dyed for accent
½" flat oval reed for rim
¼" reed for lashing
Painted pumpkin or apple with slots, available from Baskets Of Joy
Seagrass for rim beading
Round reed for twining
 
You will need:
A pair of heavy duty shears, Measuring tape, Clothespins or clips, Ruler or
straightedge (we recommend a bone awl), Small tub (for soaking reed).
 

Read all instructions carefully before you begin to weave your basket.

STEP ONE
Preparation:
  • From the 5/8" flat natural reed, cut 8 stakes 30" long and 3 stakes 36" long.
  • From the 5/8" dyed reed, cut 3 stakes 30" long and 2 stakes 36" long.
  • Mark the centers of all stakes on the rough side of the reed.
  • Soak stakes, weavers and some round reed until pliable. Note: dyed reed should only be soaked briefly in cool water, separately from natural reed. Run each piece through a paper towel to remove excess liquid. This helps to reduce bleed from the color.

STEP TWO
Construction:

  • Lay two long dyed 36" stakes horizontally on the table in front of you, rough side up.
  • Lay three natural 36" stakes above the two dyed stakes with about ½" space between.
  • Weave the first short natural vertical stake at the center marks going under the first dyed stake.
  • Add 5 natural stakes to the right of the center stake.
  • Weave two more natural stakes to the left of the center stake.
  • Weave in the 3 short dyed stakes to the left of the natural stakes.
  • Adjust base to measure 12" x 6".
  • Use round reed to twine once or twice around the base.
  • Upsett all stakes (rewet if needed).
  • Weave 11 rows with natural ½" reed, making sure the first weaver goes OVER the center stake.
  • Weave one row with dyed ½" reed. Weave the wooden pumpkin or apple in over the dyed reed area. See photo for placement. We like to weave over the outer edge, under the center, and then over the other outer edge (as in photo) so we can see more of the pumpkin or apple.
  • Weave 4 rows with ½" natural reed.
  • Weave one row with a scrap piece of 3/8" or ¼" reed. This last row is the rim row and will be covered by the rim.
STEP THREE
Finishing:
  • Trim and tuck all stakes.
  • Apply the rim with two pieces of flat oval reed.
  • Insert handle centered along opposite sides of the basket. See photo for placement.
  • Bead the rim with the sea grass, butting at the handles.
  • Lash the rim with ¼" reed. X-lash if you like.

Call Baskets Of Joy to order your kit today! 1-800-377-6097