The White House

Stained Glass Æ Basketry

342 Burns Rd

Vine Grove, KY 40175

270 268-3714

www.thewhitehousesgb.com

 

 

Shana’s Toy Basket

Dimensions:  13 ½” X 21” X 6” (not counting handle)

 

 

MATERIAL LIST:

 

7/8" F CUT 9 @ 40" EACH FOR LENGTH SPOKES

7/8" F CUT 12 @ 31" EACH FOR WIDTH SPOKES    

5/8" F  CUT 8 @ 25" EACH FOR FILLER SPOKES

#2 FOR TWINING AROUND THE BOTTOM (OPTIONAL)

7/8" F  FOR WEAVERS

1/4" FO   FOR WEAVERS

5/8” HALF ROUND –75” FOR THE OUTSIDE RIM (THIS SIZE MAKES THE BASKET MORE STURDY, BUT YOU CAN USE 5/8" FO)

5/8" FO - 75" FOR THE INSIDE RIM

1/4" FO    FOR THE LASHING

#6 OR #8 ROUND  75” TO GO BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE RIM

14” X 16" D HANDLE

 

 

 

Always soak the reed in water till you can fold without the reed splitting.

 

Mark the centers of the spokes on the wrong side (side that will separate a little when you bend-right side will be smoother).

 

Lay out the bottom of the basket, alternating the 7/8" F with the 5/8" F, hold down one end with a spoke weight.  The D handle will be used as the center spoke when weaving the width spokes (should be 6 spokes on each side of the handle).

 

Bottom measurement should be 13 ½” X 21”.  Twine to hold in place (optional).  I always just clip the corners and SOAK BOTTOM THE WELL- upset the spokes to start the sides  (Bend each spoke over bottom of basket).  May want to use clothes pens in the corners to keep the spokes in place.

 

First 3 rows are 7/8" F, starting behind a spoke, making sure that the spoke on the bottom of the basket is on the opposite side.  When finished with the row-hide the weaver behind the beginning point and hiding over 3RD spoke.

 

Next 12 rows use the ¼ FO- Starting on the opposite side with each row, weave like in ROW 3.   PACK DOWN ALL ROWS AS YOU ARE WEAVING. 

 

Re-soak the top.  Cut the spokes off that are to the inside of the basket:-all others are to be folded over last weaving row.  Cut off the spokes leaving

enough room to be hidden between the rows  (This process is called cut and tuck). 

 

 

Using the 5/8” Half Round (must be soaked longer than the other reed to have the pliability needed) go around  the basket with about  2 ½” overlap.  Do the same with the 5/8" FO for the inside of the basket.  Trim and sand the lap over area and clip together- both the inside and the outside of the basket. Cut the round reed to fit between the two.  Be sure all fits together well.  Take the end of the 1/4"   FO and hide between the inside and outside rim (I usually go up and down once over the last row woven) making sure that the rounded part of the lashing is going to be up when going over the rim-go between each spoke pulling tight. End lashing by hiding the same way it was started.

 

Finish by dipping in black walnut stain.  I gather black walnuts in the fall and put them in panty hose (don’t overfill) and put them in a plastic garbage can with a tight fitting lid with water added to cover the nuts. In the spring my stain is just right to dip after removing the nuts-I usually add nuts every year along with water. 

 

I designed this basket for my Granddaughter to put her toys.  It’s also big enough to use as a doll baby’s bed.

 

ENJOY

PAM