I’ve always wanted to try basket making. Update: 8/29/18 I have tried basket weaving and now I have, oh my, it is a wonderful as I had imagined. They are beautiful and useful- the same as inkle bands. So, I got this crazy idea; why not weave a basket with inkle bands?!

My inkle basket is created by cutting two inkle bands into strips and weaving them together in a simple over under pattern. For a little contrast, I used two different bands to make the basket , but it would look really nice made out of one pattern too. My band was 1 1/2″ wide and the final basket is 4 1/2″ L x 4 1/2″ W x 4 1/2″ H.

Supplies needed:

Update: 8/29/18 Thanks to a fellow Inkle Weaver in the Inkle facebook group an error was found in my calculations below. I am ever grateful for the discovery! The update is in italics below.

We have to do a bit of math to determine the length of inkle band you will need.

Multiply width of inkle band by 3 = width of basket base
Multiply width of basket base by 3 = length of one *vertical inkle strip
Multiply length of one *vertical inkle strip by 6 = total length of band needed for *vertical strips of the basket

Then:

Multiply width of basket base by 4 = length of one *horizontal inkle strip
Multiply the width of the band by 2. Add to length of one horizontal inkle strip – this will allow for overlap of the woven strips)
Multiply length of one *horizontal inkle strip by 3= total length of band needed for *horizontal strips of the basket

*vertical and horizontal refer to the direction of the strips as they are woven to make the sides of the basket.

example: (for easy math imagine your band is 1 inch wide)
1″ x 3 = 3″ (Width of basket base)
3″ x 3 = 9″ (Length of one vertical strip)
9″ x 6 = 54″ (Total length of band needed for Vertical Strips: excluding fringe)
3″ x 4 = 12″ (Length of one horizontal strip)
2 x 1″ = 2″ (width of inkle band multiplied by 2)
12″ + 2″ = 14″ (Length of one horizontal strip plus width of band x2)
14″ x 3 = 42″ (Total length of band needed for Horizontal Strips of the basket

The example basket would measure 3″L x 3″W x 3″H.

Following the example above, with two bands, as I did, you would need one band at least 54″ for the vertical strips and one at least 42″ for the horizontal strips. If using only one band the two totals need to be added together. Your band would need to be at least 96″. These totals are excluding fringe. The width of the bands will determine the final dimensions of your basket.

So let’s get started!

You will need 6 vertical strips and 3 horizontal strips each cut to the lengths you calculated.

To prevent the ends from raveling, seal the ends. Thread a needle with sewing thread. Put a bit of glue on the end of the thread as wide as the band. I call this glue thread. Yes, I thought long and hard on that name.

Insert the needle into the “tunnel” between the warp layers, one or two rows from the top edge. Pull the needle and thread all the way through until the glue thread is sandwiched in the band. Press firmly with your fingers to seal.

Trim the strip above the glue thread row. Apply glue along the top of the cut edge. Let the glue dry for at least 15 minutes. Your strips should be good and sealed now.

Now we are ready to make a basket!

Begin with 4 vertical strips placed like this.

Then:

And last strip placed; your base is built. The base square should be centered with the strips edges being evenly lined up on all four sides. Tip: Use a knitting needle to help nudge the strips into place.

Use the masking tape or straight pins to secure the base so it doesn’t shift while you weave the walls.

Begin building the walls by weaving a horizontal strip around the base strips.

Add glue to the overlap of the horizontal strip inside the basket and weave the overlap behind the next vertical strip to hide it.

As you continue building the walls of the basket it might be helpful to fold the vertical strips over the horizontal strips to aid in keeping everything in place.

This is what it will look like when all of the sides are built.

Whipstitch around the top edge with the embroidery needle and ribbon, securing the vertical strips to the horizontal strip. Be sure to insert the needle below the glue thread row.

Braid handles out of the fringe you cut off or lengths of yarn. Wrap the ends with yarn and sew to the basket.

And ta-da, you have a woven inkle basket!

My basket is filled with some fibery goodness that just arrived in the mail. Can’t wait to empty it and fill it again. What will you fill your basket with?

warp, weave, be happy! ~ Jennifer