How to Weave a Single Wall Basket

Soak the basket reeds in a bowl of water to make them more pliable and easier to weave.

Weave the base spoke reeds of the basket so that the vertical reeds are woven through the vertical ones going under and over each other, positioned so that they are approximately 3/8-inch apart.

Weave the twining around the edge of the base to secure it in place. Secure it to one corner of the basket, then cut the excess. Bend each spoke up toward the center of the basket to prepare the walls. Put the two reeds together that form the opposite corners of the side of the basket that will be flat against the wall. Secure them together with a clothespin.

Weave the first reed through each of the spokes, beginning at the top of the center reed on the flat side of the basket. Pull it over and under all the spokes until you have returned to the starting point. Pull the reed back over the starting point, then under the next reed. Cut the reed so the end is hidden behind the spoke, then secure it with a clothespin.

Repeat this process with all the reeds included in the kit until all the walls of the basket have been formed. Every couple of reeds, push the rows down so the reeds are pressed close against one another. This will also help secure the reeds in place so you can remove the clothespins as you go.

Cut the remaining portion of the vertical spokes that face the inside of the basket, once you have completed weaving all the reeds. Bend the remaining spokes toward the inside the basket. Trim the excess reed so that it is just long enough to be tucked into the first horizontal reed, then tuck it into the reed to secure it into place.

Sand the handle piece until it is smooth. Thread it through the center horizontal reed on the flat side of the basket, then glue it or staple it in place.

Wrap the rim piece around the top of the basket and secure it in place with craft glue.

Place the completed basket on a hard surface with the flat side down. Insert a heavy book into the basket and let it set overnight. This way, the glue will dry thoroughly and the wall portion of the basket will sit flush against the wall.