Sarah’s Wedding Basket
A future mother-in-law and friend of basketmaker and NBO Board Member Beth Hester wanted something special for the family’s upcoming rehearsal dinner party. So Beth suggested they weave a basket around their antique Blue Mason Jars.
This quick and fun project makes a very attractive flower vase. By only weaving the bottom and top the blue jar shines through.
Thanks to Beth and the folks at The Basket Makers Catalog for making this free pattern available. For more information on tools and supplies that can aid in completing this project, click here.
1. 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. If reed becomes dry while you are weaving just spritz with water.
2. Do not over soak your reed, it will become mushy.
3. 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.
4. Keep your weaving even as you progress. Leave no space between the rows on the sides.
5. As you weave, gently position the uprights so they remain vertical and are evenly spaced.
6. Reed should be completely dry before being stored.[/su_spoiler]
Materials/Supplies:
1/2″ Flat Reed: 35 ft. for Base, Uprights & Weavers
1/4″ Smoked Flat Reed: 15 ft for Weaver
NOTE: This pattern should give you some good ideas as you weave on your Blue Mason Jars. Plus the pattern may be adapted for a variety of containers.
Cut 10 pieces of 1/2″ flat reed about 30 inches long. Soak these base pieces 1 minute in warm water.
Weave a base about 5″ square. This size may vary depending on the size of your jar.
The flat reed extending out from the base should all be about the same length. The rough side of the reed should be facing up.
Place the jar onto the base. The base should be close to the size of the jar bottom. Adjust if necessary.
Crease the edges of the base to upset the basket around the jar. Use a couple of rubber bands to hold the uprights in position.
Start weaving with a wet piece of 1/2″ flat reed, smooth side out.
This piece should be long enough to weave around the jar plus 5″. The extra 5″ is for the overlap or splice.
The first 6 rows are start and stop rows.
To finish a row weave over the beginning and tuck the end behind the fourth upright making a 4 upright overlap or splice.
Trim the end to hide behind the upright.
Start row 2 on the opposite side of the row 1 splice.
The rubber band will hold the uprights in place as you weave. This is nice but the rubber band also makes weaving a little difficult.
Feed the weaver’s end behind an upright and pull the weaver into place.
Photo 6 shows how you may need to put a big loop in your weaver as you weave.
Pull the loop tight and push row 2 down so it touches row 1.
Finish row 2 with a splice.
As you weave keep the uprights evenly spaced and vertical.
Weave row 3 with 1/2″ Flat Reed.
Rows 4 – 6 are woven with 1/4″ Smoked Flat Reed. These are all start and stop rows.
At the top of the jar you’ll use a continuous weave.
First group the uprights by twos. Start weaving under two, over two, under two, etc.
As you near the end of the first row you’ll weave under one, over one to begin the continuous weave. Then continue weaving by twos.
You will have to make this weaving correction on every row. Pull the weaver tight as you weave, this will help hold the basket against the top of the jar.
Finish the last row by hiding the weaver behind a stake. See Step 9.
Trim the uprights so they are flush with the top of your jar.
Scenes from the dinner party, made unique by the clever combination of beautiful flowers, set in gorgeous mason jars, encased with simple weaving made by loving hands.