#2 round reed

#1 seagrass

BASE: From the #4 round reed cut 6 spokes 24" long, one spoke 13" long and mark the centers on each of the 24" long spokes. Soak your spokes and a long piece of #2 round reed for a few minutes.

Place two spokes on the table, forming a X. Place a third spoke horizontally on top of the X. Line up the center marks and space the spokes evenly. Mark a x on the end of a spoke at the top of the base (the side of the base away from you). This will be your starting spoke. Crimp a long piece of #2 round reed off center and begin twining on the starting spoke. Be sure to form a nice round circle and keep the twining as close to the center of the spokes as possible. Twine three rows with the base flat. Now pick the base up and begin to bend the spokes away from you, forming a gentle curve as you bring the sides up. Twine until the base measures approximately 1 ¾" across. Stop at the starting spoke. Do not end the twining. You will now add a new spoke in between each of the original spokes. Lock in the new spokes with the twining. You will have one spoke left that you will add later. Continue twining for four more rows. The base should measure approximately 3 ¼" across. End the twining on the starter spoke and the spoke before the starter spoke.

To complete the side weaving you will need to add an extra spoke so you can weave continuously around the basket. Insert the last spoke along the left side of the starter spoke into the rows of twining.

The remaining basket is woven with #1 seagrass. You want to keep the seagrass on the bundle rather than trying to measure and cut a piece to weave with. Pull several feet of seagrass from your bundle to work with and tie the remaining bundle loosely with a twist tie.

Insert a short tail from the end of the seagrass between the last spoke and the starting spoke. Weave around the spokes continuously for 14 rows. Do not bring the spokes up straight. Think of a nice curved bowl shape as you weave.

DECREASE WEAVING: After 14 rows of weaving you will form the doorway for your bird. Stop the weaving after 14 rows on the spoke to the left of the starter spoke. (This is the extra spoke you added.) Turn on this spoke, and weave around the basket to the starter spoke. You will now turn on the starter spoke and weave back to the added spoke. You will continue weaving and turning on these two spokes for 7 rows. After completing the 7 rows, you will return to weaving around the entire basket. Begin to pull the sides in as you continue to weave. You will weave until you have approximately 4" above the doorway opening. Do not end the seagrass!

FINISHING THE BASKET: Bring the seagrass to the back of the basket. You will step up the weaving to start the wrapping. Measure and mark the spokes at 2" above the last row of weaving. You will start wrapping the ends of the spokes tightly at the 2" mark. You will be wrapping down toward the weaving you just completed. Wrap for 1". End the seagrass at the back by tucking the end into the twining. The seagrass will tuck in at the same point where you started the wrapping step. Trim the spokes, leaving 2" extending above the wrapping.

For the handle you will use a 30" length of #2 round reed. Twist the piece and shape to desired height. Tuck the ends under the last wrap of the seagrass (at the back of the basket) and secure the ends into several rows of twining.