Woven Collection Basket: the Oval Willow Linen Basket (Hasluck, 1903)

For a 14 in bottom cut seven sticks about 12 in long, shaving a little off along the middle, and an 8 in piece of rod to divide the tie-rods. Take eight tie-rods. Up to 14 in use three lays of sticks; larger bottoms need four and thicker sticks.

On the board, put four tie-rods' butts under the right foot. About 5 in from the ends lay two sticks between A and C and between B and D, then three sticks about 2 3/4 in further on, then the last two, so the three lays fill a 7 in space; slip the 8 in piece under the three middle sticks (Fig. 57). Work the other four rods between the sticks with butts the opposite way (Fig. 58), passing each tightly over and under, tapping them close with the iron and pulling up the sticks each time to crown the bottom. Lay the slarth about half the finished length.

Work the tie-rod tops round in pairs, opening the sticks into separate groups. Point a handful of rods at the butt, wet the points, and pair them in, thinnest and shortest first, one rod under and over the other, starting at either side, until the bottom is 14 in long. Finish the last pair in and out of the pairing, pick off the ends and cut off the stick ends with the shears.

Cut stakes as for a round basket: 16 pairs for a randed basket, 15 1/2 for a slewed one. Push them in, a pair beside each stick, turn the bottom over and press it down, prick up each stake and gather them in a large hoop; drive them in close. Upset with four rods, each in front of three stakes and behind the fourth, and add a second round.

Free the end stakes from the hoop: the top needs a good 8 in spring from end to end. Work a few short pieces at each side first, ends left outside so the inside stays smooth, then rand round to the right until the ends are 7 in high and the basket measures 22 in end to end. Raise the sides about 2 1/2 in higher than the ends. Work a wale of three rods (inside two stakes, outside one) or four (inside two, outside two).

Begin the border by laying down five rods, each worked in front of four stakes and behind two; finish by cramming and trim with the picking knife. For each end handle push in two rods beside stakes three or four apart; bend one into a bow under the border, twist the other rope-fashion and lap it over the bow three times each way, then lap the bow rod's own top across it.