How to Weave a Basket

Creating the Bottom

Cut colored paper into eight 14 by 1 in (35.6 by 2.5 cm) strips. Use a ruler to make the strips nice and straight. They can be all 1 color, or they can be 2 different colors. For example, you could have 4 pink strips and 4 blue strips. This will be enough to make a small, 4 in (10 cm) square basket. You can cut more strips to make a larger basket. If you are making a larger basket, cut 2 extra strips for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) that you would like to add. Construction paper will work the best, but you can also use thin plastic sheets, cardstock, felt, or thin cardboard. These methods won't work well for reed or willow because you need to prepare those materials differently.

Arrange 4 strips side-by-side vertically. If you used 2 different colors, arrange them in an alternating pattern. For example: pink-blue-pink-blue. Make sure that the strips are almost touching. You will be adjusting the strips later on to eliminate any gaps. You want just a sliver of space between the vertical strips because this will make weaving the horizontal strips through them easier. If you are making a larger basket, then add more vertical strips. For example, if you want a 5 in (13 cm) basket, then use 5 vertical strips total.

Weave a fifth strip horizontally across the 4 vertical strips. Take 1 of your remaining 4 strips, then weave it over and under across the 4 vertical strips. Try to position it as close to the center of the vertical strips as possible. Make sure that the horizontal strip is centered, too; you want an equal amount of paper sticking out to the first and last vertical strip.

Repeat the process with the remaining 3 strips. If you used 2 colors for your strips, be sure to alternate them here as well. For example, if you used blue in your previous row, continue with a pink-blue-pink pattern. If you are making a larger basket, then continue to add horizontal strips. For example, if you're making a 5 in (13 cm) basket, then add a fifth horizontal strip.

Adjust the strips so that everything is centered and even. Slide the vertical strips closer together so that they are all touching. Next, slide the horizontal strips so that they are halfway down the vertical strips; make sure that they are touching as well. You will end up with a grid in the middle of your woven strips. There should be an equal amount of paper on each side of the grid.

Glue down the corners on the grid. Starting at the top-left corner, lift the paper to expose the strip beneath it. Put a dab of glue on the bottom strip, then press the upper strip back down. Work your way around the grid until you are back where you started. You just need to do the corners for right now. Don't worry about the top, bottom, and side edges. A glue stick will work just fine for paper, but if you are working with plastic or felt, hot glue will be the way to go.

Fold the strips towards the center to create a box shape. Using the top edge of the grid as a guide, fold down the paper strips to crease them, then unfold them. Repeat this step for the remaining 3 sides of the grid. You'll end up with a sort of box shape. Some of the strips may peel away from the bottom edge of your "box." Glue these down so that the edge is seamless.

Adding the Sides

Cut four 18 by 1 in (45.7 by 2.5 cm) strips of paper. These should be all 1 color, but this can be different from the color(s) that you used to make the bottom of the basket. For example, if you used pink and blue previously, you could use purple here. If you used more than 8 strips to make your base, count how many strips are on each edge, then add 2 inches (5.1 cm). This is how long your new strips should be in inches. If your paper is not long enough, tape or glue 2 strips together to make a longer strip. If you are making a bigger basket, then make 1 additional strip for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of height.

Mark and fold your first strip every 4 inches (10 cm). You will end up with four 4 in (10 cm) segments and one 2 in (5.1 cm) segment. These 4 segments will make the 4 sides of your basket. The 2 in (5.1 cm) segment will allow you to connect the strip into a square. If you used more strips to make your basket, it will be larger. Count how many strips are on 1 side. This is how far apart your marks will be. If you are working with a longer strip for a larger basket, you still want 4 equal-sized segments and one 2 in (5.1 cm) segment.

Overlap and glue the ends together to form a square. Your strip should already be forming a rough square or pentagon shape. Take the 2 ends of your strip, and overlap them until they form a square shape. Secure the square with tape or glue. The end of your strip should nestle into the fold that comes just before the 2 in (5.1 cm) segment. This square will create the first row on all 4 sides of your basket.

Repeat the process for the remaining 3 pieces. Make and fold the strips into four 4 in (10 cm) segments and one 2 in (5.1 cm) segment. Overlap and glue the ends to turn them into squares. When you are done, you'll have 4 paper squares, including the first one. Each square will create 1 row for your basket. If you made a bigger basket, make more squares. If you want a shorter basket, however, you can skip this.

Weave the basket's strips through the first square. Set the first square down on top of the grid so that it's nestled inside the strips. Take every other strip, and pull them so that they are now on the outside of your square. Do this for all 4 sides of the square. This will complete 1 row.

Repeat the process, reversing which strips go on the outside. This means that the strips that were on the inside of the first square, should now be on the outside of the second square. Continue adding paper squares and weaving your strips around them until you reach the top. Each square that you add will make your basket taller. If your basket reaches the height you want, then stop adding squares.

Finishing the Basket

Glue the top edges of the vertical strips down to the last square. Starting on the outside, peel back the vertical strips. Place a dab of glue on the exposed horizontal row, then press the strip back into place. Repeat this step for the inside of the basket. A glue stick will work just fine. If you choose to use liquid glue, secure the paper with a paper clip until it dries. Use hot glue for felt or plastic. Your basket has vertical strips and horizontal strips. The vertical strips come from the base and sides of the basket. The horizontal strips come from the squares you made.

Trim the vertical strips that are sticking out over the top of the basket. When you first cut your paper, you made the vertical strips a little longer than necessary to allow room for weaving. As such, you may have some excess material sticking out over the top of your last row. Trim these strips down until they are flush with the last, horizontal row.

Cut one 18 by 1 in (45.7 by 2.5 cm) strip of paper for the handle. If you made your basket multiple colors, then you can choose any of these colors for the handle. If your basket is all 1 color, then match the handle color to the basket. If you made a different sized basket, measure the height of your basket. Multiply it by 3, then add 2 inches (5.1 cm).

Tuck the handle into the basket so that the ends touch the base. Place the left end of the handle against the left side of the basket, and the right end against the right side of the basket. Make sure that both ends of the handle are on the inside of the basket, then slide them down until they hit the bottom of the basket. If the handle is too long, cut the ends shorter. If the handle is too short, move it upwards. Use tape or clothespins to temporarily secure the handle in place.

Secure the handle with glue. Pull away 1 side of the handle, coat it with glue, then press it back into place. Repeat the process for the other side of the handle. Alternatively, you can just weave both ends of the handle through the strips in the basket. A glue stick will work just fine here, but liquid glue will be even better. If you made a felt or plastic basket, use hot glue.

Use the basket with care. Most baskets are pretty delicate to begin with, but homemade baskets are even more fragile. Unless your basket is made from plastic or foam, you should avoid getting it wet. Also, don't carry anything too heavy inside your basket. A paper basket is great for kids' Easter baskets with plastic eggs. You can store heavier items in you basket, but you don't be able to carry your basket around; otherwise, it may break.