Weaving Base: Mark center of all spokes and handle spokes on rough side. Soak for 5 minutes.
Lay 2 handle spokes vertically on table in front of you forming one 1/2" spoke. Continue combining two 1/4" spokes to make one spoke. You will have 4 sets of vertical spokes on each side of the handle with 1/4" space between, and you will have 5 sets of horizontal spokes. Now place your first horizontal spoke under handle spoke, matching center marks. Weave base so it measures 6 " long and 3-1/2" wide.
To upset basket, roll spokes over your finger.

Weaving Side:
ROW 1: Start in center of side of base with 3/16" thin flat oval weaver, rough side up. This basket is constructed by continuous weave, treating the paired spokes as one spoke. Weave completely around basket back to starting point. Clip weavers firmly to corner spokes with small ruber tipped clamps. Weaving pattern is: over two, under two.

ROW 2: Weaving over 2 and under 2, split the two spokes. You will now be weaving with single spokes all the way around the basket.

ROW 3:Weave 3 rows. Start forming the cat head feet by placing the corners between your thumb and forefinger with your thumb in the center side of base by pressing up with thumb and pulling down with fingers.

ROW 4 - 24: Same as row 3.

Check shape of basket several times by looking at the picture. On 5th row, circumference should be 22". Now start loosening up center of basket to 26" circumference. The 24th row should be about 24" around.
Twine 3 rows of #2 round reed.

To Form Handle: Pull handle spokes back together, measuring 12" across for arch and insert into weaving on opposite side. Repeat on other side, inserting on the outside (top) of handle into weaving. Take the 2 handle supports (15") 3/8" flat oval and shave 1-1/2" on either side. Insert ends of one piece on outside (top) of handle into each side of the weaving.
Insert other piece on inside (bottom) - oval side out on both.

Handle Trim/Wrapping: 3/16" flat oval - Insert one end on top of 3/8" flat oval in the center and tuck into weaving. Wrap solid for 2". Lift the top 3/8 FO piece and wrap under twice and over twice. Repeat pattern until you reach the other side, then wrap solid for 2". Cut and tuck ends and spokes.

Rim: Clamp rim pieces in place and lash with Medium Cane.

HINTS:
Lay out the pair of 40" spokes (handle) first in the middle and place 4 pair of 17" on either side, spacing each pair 1/4" apart. (This should measure about 6" wide). Weight these spokes down. Your 20" spokes are woven in next, again in pairs beginning in the center and going under the handle spokes and weaving 2 pair on either side of this center spoke. Adjust this measurement to about 3-1/2". It is a fairly tight base.
Remember, although the base is woven in pairs to form wider stakes, once you begin weaving the sides, each spoke is used by itself.

Pattern supplied by Linda Scoggins and printed in the Aloha Basket Weaver's Guild Newsletter and reprinted here with permission. This Guild no longer exists.

Please remember that the copyright for each pattern belongs to the author of the pattern. You may print the patterns for personal use; you may not sell, distribute or publish the patterns in written or web format.

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