Reedworks.co.uk

angela@reedworks.co.uk

Ferndene

Carmyllie

DD11 2RH

07854 484747

Warning: Basket Weaving is a

highly addictive activity. If you

require any help regarding this,

please feel free to contact me

at the above number for help.

This includes technical support

as well as support for your

future addiction.

Im not joking!

Baskit includes: 20 x 12mm dark coloured stakes cut 29long, 15 x 12mm light

coloured stakes cut 32 long (stakes). 1 x 20mm dark strip cut approximately

62 long (handle). 1 x 88 16mm strip (rim). long strip raffia (rim filler). Long

strip 4mm half round reed or no1 round reed (lashing). Several strips 8mm light

coloured strips (weavers) All stakes are marked in the middle on the wrong

side for your ease.

Required tools: Strong clothes pegs, Strong scissors, Awl, Small towel, Water

bottle, Deep basin or dish pan for soaking reed.

Instructions: Soak all 35 stakes and 62 handle for ten minutes in luke warm

water. After ten minutes of soaking, remove the stakes and lay out the long

strip with the wrong side up (pencil mark in middle). With the light coloured

stakes, weave all of them with wrong side up in an over/under pattern making

certain that the middle pencil mark is on the long middle stake (handle) Your

pattern will look odd because although this is a twill weave, you will need to

weave the middle handle stake in an over/under pattern for strength. It looks

funny but youll be grateful after as this will help keep your finished basket

more even weighted and strengthen the handle.

Now begin the twill weave by beginning the weave to the right of the thick

middle stake. Follow my row by row pattern below:

This first stake to the right of the middle: over two, under two, over two under two ending the row on an under one

Second to the right: over one, under two, over two under two

Third to the right: under two, over two, under two, ending the row on an over one

Forth to the right: under one, over two, under two, over two

Now simply repeat row five as row one. Row six as row two. Row seven as three, Row eight as row four. Row nine as

row one. Row ten as row two.

Moving to the left of the centre stake, just do the same but in reverse:

First row to left: under two, over two, under two, ending the row on an over one

Second row to left: under one, over two, under two, over two

Third row to left: over two, under two, over two under two ending the row on an under one.

Forth row to left: over one, under two, over two under two

Repeat row five as row one. Row six as row two. Row seven as three, Row eight as row four. Row nine as row one.

Row ten as row two. The finished base should look like the picture on the right. A simple twill weave.

Now you need to soak the base and one of the long light coloured weavers for about

five minutes so have a cup of coffee and relax

Your break is now over. Gently fold over each of the spokes on all four sides (second

picture down on left). Do not force them or they will crack. Simply fold around your

hand to increase the flexibility. The first few rows you weave will not hold the stakes

upright so dont be discouraged if the basket is quite loose. You can tighten it after the

first four rows.

With your weaver, run your finger along the length of it and decide which side is the

smoothest. Visually, the good smooth side will simply look nicer and the bad side will

be a bit rough and splintery. For some weavers it will be tough to tell so dont worry if

you get it wrong. With the good side on the outside of the stakes begin your first row of

over two/under two weave (third picture down). Use a clothes peg to hold the start in

place as it will slip out of position otherwise. In fact, use as many clothes pegs as you

want as this will help hold everything together. It will help especially if you also clip the

corners with clothes pegs as this helps to hold everything in place. When you make an

entire round all four sides, overlap the end of the weaver and tuck behind the next two

stakes and snip the weaver. Be careful not to snip too short. If the end is a bit long,

dont worry because it can be snipped and hidden behind a stake later.

Move to a different side of the basket now. Each new row will begin in a different

place so that it blends better. On the second row you will again do an over two/under

two weave but you must step one stake to the right each time. (Actually, you could

step to the right or left each time depending on which way you want your twill to go. It

is up to you. Just remember that you have to keep it consistent unless you want a zig-

zag pattern)

Now, weave the rest of the rows in the same manner. Keep the over two/under two

weave for each row but step over one stake each time. Make certain that you soak

each long weaver about five minutes before using it. Use the water squirt to keep your

basket moist as this will keep the stakes from cracking.

After the forth or fifth row, your stakes will be standing quite straight and you may

decide to use fewer or no clothes pegs at all. Make certain the rows are packed

down well and there are no gaps. Use the awl to help.

When you are satisfied that your basket is tall enough, have another wee coffee

break and re-soak just the top of the basket for about ten minutes (picture below

left). When the stakes are well soaked and flexible, fold over each of the outside

stakes and clip with a clothes peg (steps pictured below). Now trim each of the

inside stakes flush with top of basket.

It is time to work on the handle. I have given you quite a

long handle strip to work with so if you choose to shorten

the handle you can easily do so. With one side of the

handle, cut the strip thinner at about two to three inches on

the end. It doesnt have to be straight or pretty as this will

be tucked into the inside to provide strength and be

hidden. It is simply easier to work with a thinner reed.

Pull the thin end through the weavers on the inside of the

basket. Now, back track and pull the rest up through the

weavers looping it at the bottom. Trim the top of this point

flush with the basket so that it will be hidden in the rim. With

the other side of the handle tuck the end onto the outer

part of the basket but hide it behind weavers keeping the

end flush.

Now it is time to soak the remaining reed (the filler, rim and

lashing). You know what Im going to say now. Have a

wee coffee break If your nerves can cope with all the

excitement.

Remove the clothes pegs one at a time and cut the stake to a point (left). Tuck the stake around the top and

into the inside weavers. Use the awl to pry the weavers just enough to ease the stake in place. Repeat this

until all the stakes are tucked away.

As the stakes are quite thick, some of them will splinter at the fold. Dont worry as this will be hidden when we

put the rim on the finished basket.

Your fingers might be a bit sore by now but dont worry, youre almost finished.

This next step looks much trickier than it actually is. Take out the rim which has been soaking and line the

inside of the top of the basket making certain the smooth side of the reed is on the top. Overlap the end

about two inches and cut. Use the remaining rim strip to line the outside. During this, you will have to use

the clothes pegs to hold everything in place whilst you work the rim around. This will involve a lot of

clipping, unclipping and clipping again as each of the three rim parts will be added separately to make

certain the lengths are correct. After the inside and outside rim is added, place the raffia filler as illustrated.

It is time for the lashing as pictured on the left. At any point of the rim, tuck the lashing on the inside of the

rim and clip with a clothes peg. With the awl, gently pry between the gap of your weave below the rim.

Insert into this gap the lashing and pull everything together as illustrated.

Continue to loop around and pull the whole rim gently into place with the lashing. This will also secure the

handle into place.

You will have to keep everything moist so make certain your squirt bottle is handy throughout this process.

When you have lashed all the way around the basket, tuck the remaining lashing down into one of the

inside weavers and trim any overhanging bits. Now, your basket will appear a wee bit hairy as wood

always splinters into fine hairs. Simply trim the hairy bits and be proud and buzzed from all of the coffee

you drank. Your basket is complete.

You have completed a work of art. To keep your treasure

beautiful forever, simply shower it once a year. This removes dust

and replenishes your basket with essential hydration. Always allow

the basket to dry well before storing. You dont want it to sit in

damp as mildew will attack it. Also, bright sunlight will fade the

colours so place it in an area where the light is gentle and indirect.

Twill we meet again!