Woven Baskets

weaved baskets

These woven baskets are classic! Children in first grade can make them (kindergarteners are still a bit too young, but not an impossible task it you help one-on-one). A bit tricky at first, but once you figure out how to make them, they are a delight: looks good almost all the time.

Step 1:

Start with an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. Fold in half bottom to top.

weaved baskets

Step 2:

Cut a section off that is 3 inches wide (dimensions can vary but 3″ is a good enough size for children to work with).

weaved baskets

Step 3:

Cut the top corners a little so they are rounded. This would be the loose (unfolded) edge of the paper.

Cut the strips about 3¼ inches long
For a 3 x 3 woven baskets, cut the paper so it has 3 strips. Start cutting from the folded-edge up towards the rounded top.

weaved baskets

Step 4:

Prepare a second sheet of paper of contrasting color. Rotate one of the papers so it is perpendicular to the first sheet as shown below.

weaved baskets

Step 5A:

Pry open the papers of strip 1 and slide strip A in between the layers of 1. Push the paper so strip A is beyond strip 2.

weaved baskets

Step 5B:

In the next step, you want the white paper to be on top so you can start the checkerboard pattern.
Pry open strip A and slide strip 2 in between the layers of A. Push the white paper past strip 3.

weaved baskets

Step 5C:

Now you want the red paper to be visible again, so pry open strip 3 and slide strip A in between the layers of 3.

weaved baskets

Step 6:

The first row is done. Shuffle the paper up a little so you can work on row 2. Repeat the process with strip B except now, you want the first panel to be white so you can perpetuate the checkerboard pattern.

weaved baskets

Step 7A:

Pry open layer B and slide strip 1 in between the layers of B.

weaved baskets

Step 7B:

Pry open strip 2 and slide strip B in between the layers of 2.

weaved baskets

Step 7C:

Pry open strip B and slide strip 3 in between the layers of B.

weaved baskets

Step 8:

The second row is done. Notice the checkerboard pattern. Turn the model over and check that the back side has a checkerboard pattern too. If not, you will need to undo some of the steps and try again.
Shuffle the paper up a little so you can work on the final row.

weaved baskets

Step 9A:

Pry open strip 1, slide in strip C.

weaved baskets

Step 9B:

Pry open strip C, slide in strip 2.

weaved baskets

Step 9C:

Finally, pry open strip 3, slide in strip C.

weaved baskets
This is how the back side looks like.

weaved baskets
This is how it looks like on the inside.
weaved baskets
Cut a strip of paper from the leftover paper and make a handle. Use tape, glue, or staples to attach the handle to the basket.

If you are working with a young child and the instructions above are too hard, you can try making a 2 x 2 basket. Here, in step 3 above, cut the paper into two strips instead of three. This will give you a reduced, more manageable pattern.

If you are working with older children, you can get creative!. Cut the paper strips into different sizes to get a number of different patterns. It’s not hard; just keep the checkerboard pattern and you can’t go wrong. The left panel shows you how to cut the paper to achieve the basket shown on the right panel.

Woven Baskets Variations

weaved baskets
Paper cut into two strips.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into three strips.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into three strips with center strip cut in half.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into three strips with outer strips cut in half.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into four strips.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into four strips with inner two strips cut in half.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into four strips with outer strips cut in half.

weaved baskets
Variation on the above cuts.

weaved baskets
Paper cut into eight strips (4 strips then each one in half).

weaved baskets
You can use different color papers and cut the tops a little different to make a whole different look: perfect for St Patrick’s Day!

 

 

Watch video: