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Beaded Market Basket

Base: 10" x 14" Height: 7"

Materials: 3/4" or 5/8" flat-spokes; 3/8" flat-rim row; 1/2" flat-weavers; 1/2" flat oval- rim

#2 round-twining base; #3 seagrass-rim filler; 1/4" flat-rim lashing; 10" x 14" D handle

Soak reeds in warm water. Keep them mellow and flexible while weaving.

From 3/4" or 5/8" flat, cut 10 spokes @ 32" long; 9 spokes @ 36" long

Mark centers on rough side of spokes. Set handle upright vertically in front of you.

Lay one of the 36" spokes on top of the handle base next to the upright. Lay the rest of the 36" spokes across the handle alternating under the handle and over the handle until all of them are in.

Use a spoke weight to hold them in place. Both of the outside spokes should be on top of the handle.

(Diagram at right is a Williamsburg handle, but the technique is basically the same for the market basket handle in this pattern.)

Weave 5 of the 32" spokes on each side of the handle using over one/under one weave. Leave approx. 1/2" between spokes. Square base to measure 14" long and 1/2" narrower than handle.

Finish off base with a keeper by twining two rows with #2 rr. Twining should be on the base of the handle, not the sides.

Or use a strand of 1/4 "ff woven as a keeper on the base. This is woven once around the base with over one/under one weave, overlapping ends over 4 spokes..

Spray mist the spokes with water to keep them mellow and flexible. Upsett spokes.

Weave 15 rows with 1/2" ff. (Optional: Weave 8 or 9 rows, add several rows of color and continue with natural to total 15 rows.

Weave one row of 3/8" ff for hidden rim row.

Fold outside spokes to the inside of basket. Cut and tuck under a row of weaving.

Cut off inside spokes close to top edge of basket.

Clip a piece of 1/2" fo to the inside and one to the outside of top row of weaving, overlapping 4 inches. Shave overlaps.

Add seagrass filler to top edge between the two flat oval pieces.

Lash rim with 1/4" flat, forming an "X" at each side of the handle.

Stain basket with Weaver's spray stain.

With a lark's head knot, attach folded pieces of waxed linen at intervals over weavers along top of basket.

Add beads to the threads at random, tying a knot above and below each bead.

Trim ends of threads.

( Lark's Head Knot)

Happy Weaving! Web site: www.noresta.com E mail: sales@noresta.com Ph: 1-800-667-3782 (1-800-NORESTA)