Oval Key Basket

What to do on a snowy Saturday? 

Weave a basket of course!

I spent the afternoon weaving a small wall basket, sometimes called a key basket.  I started with an oval hoop and a D frame.  I used a darker round reed for the ribs and cream flat reed for the weavers.

The overall dimensions are 10" long x 6.5" wide and 4" deep pocket.

Woven Palm Basket

  
Basketmakers routinely make baskets using the materials they have available to them.  Sneaking in a quick trip to Key West to get away from the cold, snow and ice of the northeast, I met a basketmaker who did just that!  Notice the woven hat that he is wearing is made from the palms too.

Using the green leaves from the local palm trees, the baskekmaker sat on the sidewalk and wove baskets for the passing tourists.  Of course I had to have a basket.  Made just that morning the basket was a bright green and tightly woven.  

 Since I've been home my basket has dried to a light grayish tan.  The weaving is also becoming  looser as it dries.
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