Fig. A: Prepare strips for weaving. With the map turned
lengthwise, cut 20 weavers 2" wide. Fig. B: Fold each
strip in half lengthwise. Then fold the edges to the
center, and finally, fold these edges together, creasing
tightly. Fig. C: Weave the base with an over, under, over,
under weave. Fig. D: Mark the base by twining around
the edges.
Materials
» 2– 3 large road maps
» Contrasting string or thread
» Clothespins
» Cutting mat
» Rotary cutter
» Awl or tapestry needle
» Scissors
» Small tweezers
» White glue (optional) to further
stiffen the basket
Photography by Jane Patrick
1. Prepare the strips (Figure A). Cut off any parts of
the map you don’t want to use. With the map turned
lengthwise, cut 20 weavers 2" wide (the longer the
strips, the larger your basket can be). I made my weavers 37" long, based on the longest length of the map.
Fold each strip in half lengthwise (Figure B). Then fold
the edges to the center, and finally, fold these edges
together, creasing tightly. The more uniform and crisp
you make the strips, the better your basket will be.
2. Weave over, under, over, under (plain weave)
for a square base, 10 weavers in both directions
(Figure C). If you point the folds toward the center
of each side, you’ll have a better result when you
weave the corners.
3. Using string or thread, mark the base by twining
around the edges (Figure D). Measure a length of
lightweight string 10 times the circumference of
the base and fold it in half. Fold this string around a
weaver so that one end of the string is underneath
the weaver and the other end is on top. To twine,
simply twist the ends together between the weavers,
then place the top end underneath the next weaver
while leaving the bottom end on top. Repeat until
you reach the beginning, and tie the ends together.
4. Weave the sides, working one side at a time. Divide
the weavers on one side in half and weave the halves
together. Beginning with the center weavers, cross
them, and weave both out to the edge (Figure E).
Weave the remaining weavers in the same manner.
Tighten the weavers by pulling out the slack. The
weaving will poke out where the weavers cross. This
is as it should be, and will be the new corner. You’ve
