Materials: 1/2" flat reed for spokes, 1/4" flat oval for weavers, #2 round reed for weavers and optional braided border, 1/2" flat oval for the rim, seagrass for the rim filler, medium binding cane for lashing and one 3" x 6" Tulip D handle.

Preparation: From the 1/2" flat reed, cut 3 spokes 22" long and 8 spokes 16" long. Mark the center of all spokes on the rough side. Optional color for the basket- dye three medium pieces of 1/4" flat oval or for a braided rim dye 24 pieces of #2 round reed 36" long plus 2 additional long pieces of #2 for twining at the top of the basket.

Base: Place the three 22" pieces of 1/2" flat reed horizontally on the table. With  the marked side of the spokes facing up. Weave the D handle vertically, on top of the two outer spokes and under the center spoke. Be sure the D handle is on the center marks. Begin weaving the remaining spokes vertically. Start by weaving under with a spoke on each side of the handle. You will weave four spokes on each side of the handle. True the base to measure  7 1/4" long and 2 1/2" wide. With a long piece of #2 round reed twine two rows around the entire base to lock in the spokes. Start and end the twining on one of the long sides of the basket.

Side weaving: All rows are woven in a start and stop weave. Begin the rows of weaving on the long sides of the basket. Shave the ends of the 1/4" flat oval at the overlap. Flair the short ends of the basket as you weave. To do this, gently pull the spokes out as you weave. Weave 5 rows of 1/4" flat oval natural. Weave three rows of 1/4" flat oval dyed. Weave 5 rows of 1/4" flat oval natural. Weave one row of 3/8" flat reed. If you are using the braided border do not weave this row of 3/8" flat reed. Instead, twine three rows of #2 round reed (dyed).

Finishing the basket: Cut the inside spokes off and tuck the outside spokes to the inside of the basket. Hide the ends of the tucked spokes under three rows of weaving on the inside of the basket. Cut two pieces of 1/2" flat oval for the rim. Allow a two inch overlap for each piece. Shave one end of each piece for the overlap. Place the rim pieces on alternating long sides of the basket. Place the seagrass in between the two pieces and lash in place with medium binder cane.

Braided border: After twining three rows with the #2 round reed, tuck all the spokes over the twine and into the weaving on the inside of the basket. Insert the 24 pieces of the dyed #2 round reed into the twining on the outside of the basket. Follow the directions for the braided border on Martha's Flower Girl Basket. Enjoy!