Package contents and set-up procedure

In your package will have:

• 6 #2 round reeds in a bundle
• 1 #2 round reed (that is shorter) by itself
• a few coils of #1 round reed.

You will need:

• a bucket of water to dunk your reeds into
• a pair of jeweler’s pliers (needle nose pliers will work)
• a pair of precision snips (a pair of short scissors will work)
 Steps to make your basket

1. Place all reed in your bucket of water, let soak for 1-2 minutes
2. Remove the coil of #2 reed (it’s the bigger thickness) and orient them, 3 by 3, in a north, south – east,
west configuration with the north, south section on top.

3. Take out one coil of the #1 reed and place one end below the bottom most east, west reed parallel to it,
and “pinch hold” them all in place.
4. Begin to coil the #1 reed down and up creating a “holding pattern” in a circle around the cardinal
directions, do this for three wraps.

5. Feed the tail end into the hole at the diagonal point (ie: from southeast to northwest)
6. Take the extra #2 reed out of the water and fit it through the opposite diagonal (ie: from northeast to
southwest) note: in round reed basket making, you NEED an odd number of spokes… so we add one

This next part will be the most difficult to get right and can be quite tedious. However, understanding
this part will help you in understanding basket making a great deal.

NOTE: you want to go under the added spoke, so count backwards from it
(under, over, under, over)
7. Begin spreading and alternating the spokes of your basket and weaving with your #1 reed

Note: After the second wrap, your weave will get easier.
8. After a few wraps around, place your basket with the “tails” facing up in your palm and push your
thumb into it to create the start of your basket “dome”

When you are ready to transition to another reed

1. Snip the end at an angle to make it easy to insert into the weave on the opposite side of the chosen
spoke.

2. Use your pliers to grab and pull your reed tight. Then snip the end.
 3. Prepare the next reed by snipping the end at an angle and insert it on the other side of the same spoke
you ended from.

4. continue weaving and adding reeds, shaping the basket as you go.
Note: your tensioning of the weave, will change the diameter of the basket. A tighter weave will create a
thinner, taller basket. Keeping your weaves loose will create a wider, shorter basket.
 Finishing the rim
1. Snip the spokes to about 3 inches above your current weave and place your basket upside down in your
water. Let soak for a minute or two. Note: Make sure to cut the spokes at an angle

2. Weave BEHIND the next spoke and down into the basket

3. On the last one, make sure to come from behind

4. Snip all the tails throughout your basket.

Shaping the bottom

1. Place your basket bottom in the water for another few minutes.

2. Take out and use your thumbs to press in at the center.