Twill Plaid Tote

I spent my Friday at the Central PA Basket Weavers Guild Odyssey 2014 weaving a 3 by 3 twill plaid tote basket.  The basket features two leather handles attached to the rim. The pattern for the basket was designed by Annetta Kraayeveld of Wisconsin.

Using burgundy, teal, cocco and cream
 reed the 3 by 3 twill pattern is established
 as the base is woven.




The sides are turn up and the pattern continues up the basket.


                      
                        The basket is finished by attaching leather handles to the outside rim. 

Woven "faux" Cattails

Mary Balint, a basketmaker from West Virginia,
conducted a fun workshop the first evening of this years Weaving Odyssey hosted by the Central PA Basket Weavers Guild.

The cattail is woven over the handle of the common pumber's helper.  After weaving about 10 to 12inches the woven tube is removed from the handle.  The splints are woven to a tapered point.  A pointed piece of round reed is inserted into the top of the weaving. The woven "cattail" is stained to a dark brown color.

To finish the cattail a 1/4 inch dowel is inserted into the tapered end of the weaving.  Tapered wide reed for leaves and palm inflorescence are attached to the dowel using floral wire.  Floral tape is wound around the dowel to the end. 

Wine Cork Tote

I spent an enjoyable day with the Central PA Basket Weavers Guild making a Wine Cork Tote basket.  The basket has a solid wood, drilled base. The tote is woven with round reed and  three rows of drilled wine corks.  The handle is made using round reed. 

Hen Basket

The Hen Basket gets its name from its original function. Farmers used to take their hens to market in this style of basket.  Not many people have such a need anymore, but the basket continues to be a favorite style to weave.

This hen basket has 10"diameter openings on each side.  The center of the basket  has a 12"diameter.  The raspberry and brown reed create a pleasing color design highlighted against the natural cream reed.

Baskets and more......

Spring Art in the Garden was a fun day of weaving baskets while meeting old and new friends.  The weather cooperated and the location was beautiful.

The end of May and early June is a busy time for teachers and it cuts into my basket making. Schools out for the summer now so I'm looking forward to making lots of baskets.   Be on the lookout for photos of my new baskets on this blog site soon.

Weaving a 10" Egg Basket

Spring Art in the Garden

Hope everyone can come see the spring flowers and crafts on Saturday.  I'll be demonstrating my baskets throughout the day.

Basket or Hat?

 
I have been making baskets a long time - since before my children were born.  As I look through photos of the past I have to chuckle that my baskets are in so many images.

My baskets were always around the house when my children were young.  Some baskets held their toys, some their books and some even became their hats!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day.  Make some new memories and cherish the old.