Woven Basket

Material

Two pieces of 9" x 12" paper

Five brads

Masking tape

Presentation

Although these directions may look complicated, a classroom of five year olds did all the weaving and most of the corners. They just needed a little help with alternating.

1. Cut 15 1/2" X 12" strips of two colors each.

2. Punch holes in the ends of all the strips.

3. Place 11 strips of one color parallel and vertical. Use masking tape to tape to the table.

4. Weave 11 contrasting strips.

5. At side one, take two of the remaining strips, which will form the handle, and slip on brad. Then beginning with strip 6, place strips on the brad alternately. (6, 7, 5, 8, 4, 9, 3, 10, 2, 11, 1)

6. Detach tape from table, but leave strips attached.

7. At side two, attach two more strips to brad and repeat step 5.

8. At side 3, bring handle strips across, slip only brad and repeat step 5.

9. Remove tape carefully.

10. Bring handle strips over, slip onto brad and repeat step 5.

11. Punch holes in center of handles and in center of remaining strips.

12. Make bow on remaining brad, and attach to handle.

Scandinavian Basket

This is a traditional Norwegian and Swedish Christmas tree decoration. Sweets or nuts are put in the baskets, and there is a basket for each child in the family. The traditional colors are red and white.

Materials

Red and white construction paper

Glue or brads to attach the handle

Presentation

Cut out two rectangles 9" x 3" in contrasting colors. Fold them in half to form rectangles 4 1/2" x 3". On each piece, round the side opposite the folded edge into an arc. Draw a light straight pencil line 1" from center of the rounded edge. Measure and mark the folded edge into 1/2" segments. Cut along the marks from the folded edge to the pencil line, forming 6, 1/2" weaving strips.

Note: If changing the dimensions of the basket, always make sure that the slits are a little bit longer than the width of the folded edge, to allow extra room for weaving.

Weave together, alternately putting the white strip through the middle of the red strip and vice-versa.

Reverse the order for the next strip.

When finished attach a handle, and the basket is ready to fill with treats.