The larger Shaker Style Market Basket, by Mandy Miller has long been one of my favorites, so with Mandy's permission, I have designed a miniature version to add to our free patterns. Thanks Mandy! Size is 2 1/4"w x 4 3/4"long x 5" high to top of handle. |
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| Materials1/4" flat--spokes 11/64" flat--weavers & lasher 3/8" flat oval--rims 3" Square or Round open notched hand carved oak handle. |
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| PreparationCut spokes of 1/4" flat, 5 spokes @ 15" and 9 spokes @ 13". Mark centers on rough side of reed. Soak briefly in preparation for weaving. |
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| Weaving the BaseLay the five 15" spokes horizontally, approximately 1/4" apart, lining up centers. Weave in a 13" spoke vertically across the center of the horizontal spokes. Weave in remaining vertical spokes, 4 on each side of center.
True the base to approximately 2 1/4" wide x 4 3/4" long.
Upsett the spokes by gently bending them upward at the edges of the base. Clip corners with small clothespins to hold in place until the side weaving gets going. |
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| Weaving the sides of the basketYou will weave a "continuous weave", weaving one long strand of 11 6/4" flat until it runs out. Simply take a new weaver, overlap 4 spokes and continue on your way. You need an odd number of spokes for a continuous weave to make the weave come out looking "over, under", on each row. To achieve this, one spoke must be split. Using sharp scissors, cut in half (lengthwise) the 3rd spoke from the left. Cut it carefully right to the edge of the base. Take your weaver and taper it with a scissor for about 4 ", making the end very narrow. Place end of your weaver behind the first half of the split weaver ( leave a short tail that can be cut later) and then weave in front of the second half of the split spoke. Weave over, under all the way around, taking care to keep the rectangle shape at the corners. Continue to weave 14 rows, adding new weaver as neccessary. At about the 3rd row begin to spread the corner spokes and allow the corners to round and the ends of the basket to flare a bit. Pack rows down tightly as you go. End and cut your weaver on the 15th row after you weave through the split spoke. Mine came out over the first half of the split, behind the 2cnd half of the split, and I ended my weaver behind the next spoke to the right. Then, undo your weaver back about 3-4" and again taper the end of the weaver as you did in the beginning. Weave the tapered end back in and pack down your weaving. Weave one start-stop row of 11/64" flat, picking up your split spoke and weaving it as "one". Trim inside weavers flush with top row of weaving, and tuck outside spokes down inside the basket into the weave. Insert the handle down into the rows near the bottom of the basket, making top of notch level with the bottom of your last row. The rim will hold the handle in at the top. |
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| Rim, lash and finish!Measure inside and outside , adding about 2 1/2" to your measurements, and cut 3/8" flat oval for both inside and outside rims. Shave down the ends to reduce bulk. Soak your rims and then clip on your basket. I do my overlaps on opposite sides of the basket, avoiding the handle area if possible. To lash--you may use narrow chair cane if you like, but to give it a more shaker look I used a long piece of 11/64" flat, cut in half lengthwise. To do this, soak your lasher first as it will cut much easier without breaking. Go slowly and use a very sharp, small scissor. Anchor the end of your lasher between the rims, and lash all the way around the basket , then go back the other way to make a double lash, which gives the basket a true Shaker look. I did not fill my rims with seagrass, as I felt it would take away from the Shaker look I wanted. Stain with Weavers Stain if desired. Enjoy your Mini Shaker Style Basket. It can be useful to hold tea bags, sugar packets,or seasonal dried flowers. For your convenience, materials for this basket are available below. |
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| 3" mini handle (handcarved white oak)Square Top Only |
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| Logo by Lisa at setcity.com
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