EASY TWILL TOTE BASKET
By The NorEsta Cane & Reed    www.noresta.com    1-800-NORESTA

Dimensions: Base 4-3/4" x 11"; Height 12-1/2" (22" to top of handles); Approx. 9" x 16" at rim.

Materials: Mediterranean Space-Dyed Reed in the following sizes -
Approx 1-1/2 Lbs of 1/2" Flat stakes & weavers; 1 very long strand of 11/64" Flat Oval rim lashing; 2 very long strands of 11/64" Flat oval (or 1/4" flat oval, optional) handle wrapping;, #2 or #3 Seagrass rim filler

From 1/2" Flat, cut 19 stakes @ 40"; 9 stakes @ 46"; 2 stakes @ 75".

Soak all stakes and mark each one at center on rough side.
Lay out the nine 46" stakes horizontally and close together.

Starting on the side closest to you and weaving away from you,
Weave one 40" vertically, across center marks, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 1.

Working to the left of vertical center stake, weave 40" stakes as follows:

1st stake to left of center: Over 1, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2.
2nd stake to left of center: Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 1.
3rd stake to left of center: Under 1, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2
4th stake to left of center: Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 1

Working to the right of vertical center stake, weave 40" stakes as follows:

1st stake to right of center: Under 1, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2
2nd stake to right of center: Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 1
3rd stake to right of center: Over 1, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2
4th stake to right of center: Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 1

Now it's time to weave in the 75" handle stakes:
On the left end, Over 1, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2
On the right end, Under 1, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2

Working with the remaining 40" stakes as follows:

6th stake to left of center: Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 1
7th stake to left of center: Under 1, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2
8th stake to left of center: Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 1
9th stake to left of center: Over 1, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2
10th stake to left of center: Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 1

6th stake to right of center: Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 1
7th stake to right of center: Over 1, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2
8th stake to right of center: Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 1
9th stake to right of center: Under 1, Over 2, Under 1, Over 2, Under 2
10th stake to right of center: Over 2, Under 2, Over 2, Under 2, Over 1

Pack all stakes as closely together as possible.
Base should measure approx. 4-3/4" x 11".

Soak base and upsett stakes. Soak a few long pliabe pieces of 1/2" flat for weavers.
Weave 23 rows, start stop, in an over2/under2 twill pattern, packing down the weavers often..

1st row will start on the left-most side of one of the long sides. Start weaver going Over 2 stakes that come up together from an Under position on the base. Weave Over 2/Under 2 all the way around and overlapping 8 stakes.

Start each consecutive row on opposite side of basket.

Weave Over 2, Under 2 on each row, stepping one stake to the right as you start each consecutive row.
Each row will start Over two stakes where previous row was woven Over then Under.
You should see a definite stair-stepping pattern moving up and to the right.

As you weave, let the short sides lean out slightly, but try to keep the long sides perpendicular to the work surface.

Tuck stakes that are standing on outside of basket.

Cut off stakes that are standing on inside of basket, but DO NOT CUT THE HANDLE STAKES!

Overlap handle stakes on same sides of basket.
Place a piece of 1/2" reed between overlapping handle pieces to add thickness.
Height of handles should be approx. 9-1/2".

Wrap handles with 1/4" Flat Oval or with 11/64" Flat Oval.

Place a piece of 1/2" Flat reed around outside of top row, overlapping ends.
Place another piece of 1/2" Flat reed around inside of top row, overlapping ends.

Fill rim with Seagrass.

Lash rim with 11/64" Flat Oval reed, making an "X" at each handle section.

             
Over 2 / Under 2 Twill Weave              

                        
   Overlap each weaver for 8 stakes, each row.         If your handle wrapping piece runs out, splice in a new one.

Try all 20 Space-Dyed Reed combinations or weave with any of 112 Solid Colors! Click here to see the color chart.
Interesting also in a combination of Space-Dyed and Natural, Solid and Natural, or two different solid colors.
Let your imagination be your guide!