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Gracious Goodness Carrier
by Beth Hester
Please print this FREE pattern sheet and share with your friends.
Size: 11" x 16" (base) x 4 1/2" (height)
In the Spring of 2009 a group of friends requested I design a basket that would be perfect for carrying casserole dishes of food and other items to community potlucks and church socials.
They love the generous size of this Carrier and especially appreciate the two beautiful white oak handles, handmade in our shop in Scottsville, Kentucky, that lay flat on the rim for serving.
Materials/Supplies:
| Description | Quantity |
Basket Part |
Item |
Add to Cart* |
| 1" Flat Reed | 70 ft. |
Stakes/Weaver |
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| 1/2" Flat Reed | 20 ft. |
Weavers |
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| 1/4" Flat Burgundy Dyed Reed | 5 ft. |
Weavers |
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| #0 Seagrass | 25 ft. |
Weavers |
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| 3/8" Flat Reed | 5 ft. |
Weaver |
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| 1/2" Flat Oval Reed | 10 ft. |
Rims |
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| #3 Seagrass | 5 ft. |
Rim Filler |
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| 1/4" Flat Reed | 13 ft. |
Lashing |
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| 12" Oak Swing Handles & Ears | 2 Each | Handles | ||
| Cable Ties | 1 Package | |||
| *This item has been rounded to 1 pound because it is less expensive to purchase 1 pound than to purchase the foot quantity. | ||||
Hints in working with Reed
- When the pattern calls for soaking your flat reed, soaking 1 or 2 minutes in warm water is usually long enough to make reed flexible; seagrass needs only to be spritzed. Soak the Flat Oval Reed for 5 to 10 minutes in hot water. If reed becomes dry while you are weaving, dip it in water for a few seconds.
- Soak dyed reed separately and, to minimize the possibility of “running” or “bleeding,” rinse it several times. Wipe with a towel before weaving.
- Do not over-soak your reed it will become mushy.
- Flat reed has a smooth side and a rough side. You can determine the rough side by sharply bending a wet piece of reed in half. The rough side will usually fray or splinter more than the smooth side.
- Keep your weaving even as you make your basket. When weaving the sides, do not leave spaces between the rows of weaving.
- As you weave, gently push or pull on the stakes to keep them vertical and to maintain a pleasing shape.
- Reed should be completely dry before being stored.
Weaving the Base
Place a twist-tie around the center mark of the 25" marked stake and lay it on top of the 30" marked stake at a 90 degree angle, aligning the marks. See Photo 1.
NOTE: The twist-tie identifies the center of the base. All stakes will be woven rough side up and placed about 1/4" apart; as you add each stake to your base, align its ends with the ends of these center stakes. Weave all 25" stakes parallel to the center 25" stake; weave all 30" stakes parallel to the center 30" stake.
Next, weave a stake above the center horizontal 25" stake and one below, placing each of these stakes under the center stake. Align stake ends. Next, weave 1 30" stake to the right and one to the left of the 30" center stake; weaving over the center stake and under the other 2 stakes. Space all stakes just about 1/4" apart and align the ends. Secure with clothespins as needed. See Photo 2.
Continue adding stakes, working outward from the center, until you have interwoven all 22 stakes. The woven area (base) should measure 11" x 16" with stakes extending about 7" from the edge of the base on each side. Soak the base and upset the basket by creasing each stake at the edge of the base.
| Row 1* | 1" Flat | |
| Rows 2-3 | 1/2" Flat | |
| Row 4** | #0 Seagrass | Twine this row |
| Row 5*** | 1/4" Dyed Flat Reed | |
| Row 6 | #0 Seagrass | Twine this row |
| Row 7*** | 1/2" Flat | |
| Row 8 | 1/2" Flat | |
| Row 9 | 3/8" Flat | |
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*Weave over/outside the fourth stake from each corner on the long sides (for handle placement later).
**If your seagrass is in one long piece, fold the piece in half and begin twining--after completing Row 4, lay the length of seagrass to the inside of your basket, weave Row 5 with 1/4", then bring the seagrass to the outside and twine Row 6. Anchor all loose ends of seagrass behind a couple of weavers on the inside of your basket.
***Weave Rows 5, and 7 in same pattern as Row 3.
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