Size: 4" x 3" x 4 1/2" tall including handles.

Simple Gift Basket

2005 by GH Productions Inc. The Basket Maker's Catalog

Please print this FREE pattern and share with your friends.

Filled with your favorite holiday cookies or candy, the Simple Gift Basket makes a special gift for family and friends. It's the perfect thank you for a child's teacher or your favorite hostess.

Simple, yet elegant, the Simple Gift Basket is easy to make and features a unique handle made with #4 round reed and waxed linen.

Calculate Supplies for 1 to 20 Simple Gift baskets with the Basket Supply Calculator. The Supply List gives you the least expensive way to purchase the supplies for your quantity of baskets. View on-line or print to your printer.

Cut 9 pieces 13 inches long and 7 pieces 14 inches long from the ¼ inch flat reed.

With a pencil mark the 13 inch pieces and the 14 inch pieces 5 inches from each end on the rough side of the reed.

Using the pencil marks as guides, weave a 4 inch by 3 inch base. There should be 5 inches sticking out on all four sides of the base. The stakes should be equidistant apart and the rough side of the stakes should be facing up.

Soak base and upset the base by folding each stake at a right angle at the base.

Begin weaving by placing your 1/4" flat reed (weaver) on the outside of a stake. Choose a stake that passes under the edge of the base.

The good side of the weaver should be facing to the outside of the basket.

Continue weaving with the weaver on the outside of every other stake. Use clothespins to hold the weaver in place.

Finish this row by weaving over the beginning of the weaver and continue to weave for 3 more stakes. Cut the weaver so it will hide behind a stake. (The two ends will overlap each other for a total distance of 4 stakes).

Start the second row on the other side of the basket and finish it as described above.

Cut the end so it hides behind the fourth stake.

Continue to weave 13 independent (start and stop) rows with the ¼ inch flat reed.

Soak the ends of the stakes that extend above the weavers in warm water for a few minutes.

Identify the stakes that are outside the weaver on the top row.

Fold these stakes to the inside of your basket and mark stakes at the bottom of the third row from the top.

Cut the stake at the pencil mark and tuck behind the third row from the top.

Tuck every other stake to the inside of the basket.

Cut the remaining stakes even with the top of the basket.

Measure the top of your basket and add 2 1/2 inches to that measurement. Cut a piece of 3/8 inch flat oval to this length for the outside rim.

Cut another piece of 3/8" flat oval 1 1/2" shorter than the outside rim. This will be your inside rim.

Soak the rims and clothespins to the basket. The bottom of the rims should be even with the bottom of the top row.

Mark the overlap of both rims. Mark the flat side of one end and the rounded side of the other end for both overlaps.

Carve the overlap of the rims so they will form a smooth even overlapping joint. Carve the flat side of one end and the rounded side of the other end of both rims. The overlap should be about the same thickness as the rim itself.

Clothespin the rims to the top of your basket. The overlaps should be on opposite sides and the bottom of the rims should be even with the bottom of the top row.

Cut 2 - 18 inch long pieces from the #4 round reed. These will be your rim fillers and handles. Soak the pieces for about 5 minutes and carve the ends with a 2 inch overlap. Bend the piece into a circle.

Place the overlap of one rim filler/handle between the rims on a long side of the basket and use cable ties to hold in place.

Repeat this on the other side of the basket.

Use the cable ties to secure the rim fillers/handles and the rims to the basket.

Gently bend the handles up so they touch.

Note the placement of the cable ties on the short side of the basket where the rim fillers rise above the basket to form the handle.

Cut a 12" piece from the #4 round reed and soak for about 5 minutes.

Place the 12 inch #4 round reed between the two handle pieces and down into the gap of the rims. This piece should touch the top of the basket. The other side will be cut to length later.

Hold in place with clothespins.

Now you'll weave the handle in 3 places with waxed linen. Begin on the side of the basket where the middle piece of #4 round reed is tucked between the rims.

Start about 2 inches above the rims and weave under and over the handle pieces with a 12 inch piece of waxed linen. Leave a 2 inch "beginning tail" at the start and weave 8 to 10 rows.

1. Bring the end around the right hand handle piece and up between the right hand handle piece and the middle handle piece.

2. Wrap down then around the middle of the handle.

3. Wrap the waxed linen up and then down between the middle and left side of the handle.

Tie the ends with a square knot under the handle. Trim the excess.

Use another 12 inch piece of the waxed linen and secure the handle pieces at the center of the handle.

Mark the unsecured side of the middle handle piece just below the top of the rims.

Cut the middle handle piece at the pencil mark and tuck between the rims.

Weave the handle pieces with a 12 inch piece of waxed linen about 2 inches above the basket rims.

Soak a 5 foot piece of medium cane for about 5 minutes. Insert the cane under the inside rim along a stake. The dull flat side of the cane should be touching the basket rim. The shiny side of the cane will be facing out as you lash.

Insert the cane between every stake and pull each lashing stitch tight as you lash.

Cut the cable ties to remove them as you lash and keep the cane wet as you work.

When your lashing reaches the place it began, tuck the lashing under a weaver inside your basket; then, fold the end upward and tuck it under another weaver.

Congratulations! Enjoy your Simple Gift Basket.