Ladybug Party
Materials:
½" FF
#3 RR natural and dyed
1/4" FO
3/8" FF
½" FO
6" x 8" swing handle
ladybug embellishments
Spoke cuts: From ½" FF cut 5 @ 28", 11 @ 22" and
4 @ 19". Soak the spokes in warm water for 3 - 4 minutes. Mark the centers of the
spokes on the wrong sides.
Base layout: Lay the 5 spokes @ 28" horizontally on the table in front of you with the
wrong sides up. These spokes should be ½" apart. Lay the 4 spokes @ 22" horizontally
between the 28" spokes. There should be NO space between the 28" and 22" spokes.
Vertically weave a 19" spoke vertically down the horizontal center starting with an
OVER weave, (Over, under, over, under . . .), matching the vertical and horizontal center
lines. You will continue weaving vertically keeping the spokes about ½" apart with 5
spokes on each side of the center vertical spoke.
Measure base to be 4 ½" x 10 1/4".
Keeping the base measurement, fold the 19" spokes over themselves to the inside of the
base. Trim these spokes to lay UNDER the second spoke from each end. Cut these
spokes in half lengthwise, spread them apart to form a “V” and tuck each end under the
second spoke,
Using a length of #3 RR, twine once around the base.
Upset the spokes.
Side Weaving: the side weaving on this basket is a basic over/under weave with a four
spoke overlap at the end.
To begin, start a 1/4" FO weaver on the outside of any spoke. Weave over/under until
you have come around to the beginning. Overlap the ending of the row with the
beginning for four spokes. Trim the weaver. Start a second row after you give the basket
a quarter turn. (It’s not wise to start in the same location every row; instead, give the
basket a quarter turn after each row for a more even weave.) Always start a new weaver
on the OUTSIDE of a spoke.
Weave 4 rows total of 1/4" FO.
Weave 1 row of double strand red and black triple twine with a step up.
Weave 5 rows of 3/8" FF.
Weave 1 row of double strand red and black triple twine with a step up.
Weave 4 rows total of 1/4" FO.
Weave 1 row of 3/8" FF.
Pack all weaving.
Cut and tuck: The spokes on the inside of the last row of weaving will be cut flush with
the last row of weaving. The spokes on the outside of the last row of weaving will be
tucked to the inside of the basket under two rows of weaving.
Handle: The handle is placed on the inside of the basket. The notch of the handle will lay
between the last two rows of weaving. Tuck the end of each side of the handle under two
rows of weaving.
Rim: The inside and outside rims are made from ½" FO with a 3" overlap on each rim.
The center of the rim is filled with dyed RR. The rim is lashed with 1/4" FO making an
“X” at the handles.
After the basket dries, the ladybug embellishments can be hot glued onto the outside of
the basket. The basket may also be stained with an oil based wood stain to help preserve
the basket.