American Flag Basket         by The NorEsta Cane & Reed

Dimensions: 7-1/4"L x 5"W x 6-1/2"H
Materials: 1/2" Flat, 3/8" Flat, 1/4" Flat, #3 Round, Seagrass, 5x10 D Handle
                  1/4" Flat dyed Scarlet Red, 1/4" Flat dyed Navy Blue or Bright Navy

From 1/2" Flat cut 5 stakes @ 26" and 6 stakes @ 24". Mark centers on rough side.
From 3/8" Flat cut 4 base fillers @ 12". Mark centers on smooth side.

Set handle upright w/ base in vertical position on work surface.
Lay the 5 26" stakes horizontally OVER handle base, rough side up.
Lay the 4 12" filler pcs in between these stakes, going UNDER the handle base, smooth side up.
Pack all pcs close together. Leave a 1/4" space each side of handle.

Weave three 24" stakes vertically on each side of handle. The first weaver on each side of handle goes OVER 1st horizontal stake, UNDER filler pc., OVER next stake, UNDER filler pc. etc.

Adjust base to measure 6-3/4" x 4-1/2".
Tuck filler pieces underneath the base under 3rd stake from each end.
Twine 2 rows around base with #3 round reed.
Upsett stakes.

SIDES:
Weave 4 rows of 1/2" Flat, OVER 1, UNDER 1. First row weaves OVER handle.
Weave 1 row 1/4" Flat, Scarlet Red. Weave 1 row 1/4" Flat, Natural.
Weave 1 row 1/4" Flat, Scarlet Red. Weave 1 row 1/4" Flat, Natural.
Weave 1 row 1/4" Flat, Scarlet Red. Weave 1 row 1/4" Flat, Natural.

Start a Scarlet Red 1/4" Flat Weaver under 2nd stake at left of handle. Weave around to short end. Cut over center stake.
Splice a Navy 1/4" Flat Weaver under 1st stake from left of center stake on short end. Weave over center stake, and continue under1/over 1 to handle. Cut weaver to lay over the handle.
Splice a Scarlet Red 1/4" Flat Weaver under 1st stake from left of handle and weave Over blue weaver, under next stake, over next stake. etc. around to center stake on short end. Cut weaver to lay over center take on short end.
Splice a Navy weaver behind 1st stake from left of center stake, weaving over the red weaver, under the next stake, over the next stake, etc. around to the 1st stake to the left of handle. Tuck weaver behind this stake.

Weave 1 row 1/4" natural, all the way around. *(Start over 1st stake to right of handle on same side where previous row ended.)
Repeat Red/Navy weavers as above. **(Start over 1st stake to right of handle on same side where previous row ended.)
Weave 1 row 1/4" natural, all the way around. *(Start over 1st stake to right of handle on same side where previous row ended.)
Repeat Red/Navy weavers as above. **(Start on opposite side of basket.)
Weave 1 row 1/4" natural, all the way around. *(Start over 1st stake to right of handle on same side where previous row ended.)
Repeat Red/Navy weavers as above. **(Start on opposite side of basket.)
Weave 1 row 1/2" Flat, natural. *
Weave 1 row 3/8" Flat, natural. **
Tuck outside stakes to inside of basket. Cut inside stakes flush with top edge.
Fill rim with Seagrass. Lash with 1/4" Flat, making an "X" at the handle.

FINISHING THE BLUE SECTION: On the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd rows of 1/4" Flat between the blue sections of weaving, overlay a piece of 1/4" Flat Navy OVER the 1st & 3rd stake to the right of center on short end.
Tuck the piece behind center stake on short end and behind 2nd stake from left of handle.

Happy Weaving!
www.noresta.com    1-800-667-3782 (1-800-NORESTA)    sales@noresta.com