Baskets - used packing strap -D- triple weave

4. TRIPLE WEAVE AND SHAPY BASKET




Triple weave is 3 over and 3 under. A similar pattern can be made by starting with twelve strands and then going over 3 and under 3 [except near the centre line where the "mata" • "dot" has to be inserted ]. Note the centre line where there is a triple, double and single weave pattern".














5. SHAPY SQUARE HIGH BASKET

This basket looks like a vase and is a combination of triple, single and double weave. The base is of triple weave i.e. three over and three under . Refer to diagram above to start .You have to end the base in multiples of 3 ie 12, 24 or 36. Tie the base with a thick raffia string so that it does not enlarge. Then weave two rows up and continue with loose single weave so that there is a bulge. Weave 5 — 8 rows, you can put in three horizontal stripes to enlarge the bulge further. Use a raffia string to tie round it to make it small.

















Tighten by weaving double, move raffia string & further tighten to get a slim neck. Double weave 5 or 6 rows & end. Weave down 2 rows & turn upwards again at 2nd row to form a thick collar. A collar looks like a firm extra piece. You can use single weave and interweave 3 rows on one side and 5 rows on the other. For double weave collar, end, double weave free of the neck and then interweave into neck and up again.


















Two color shapy basket with a clear bulge and the bottom of a three color double weave basket with stand.









A shorter big shapy basket with 3 colors.

Tablemats from used plastic straps - E

6. TABLE MATS AND COASTERS

Use short strips to make table mats and even shorter strips to make coasters so that you do not have to throw them away. You can use single weave or double weave and vary the colors, width and thickness of the strips.



Two colours - single and double weave tablemats



















Thin 3 /41 cm strips can be woven in diagonally to make a pretty design
Just tug in the ends so that it does not show or go through a second time so that the mats are strong and firm. It is really fun to vary the designs and colors and to see the finished product







Two types of coasters with different size strips.










These two tablemats are double weaved using four colors of same size strips.









This tablemat is double weaved with four colors of different sizes of strips.








A tablemat using triple weave design following black and white diagram in that section.








A tablemat using hexagonal base design following black and white diagram in that section.

PLASTIC STRAP HEXAGONAL BASKETRY - F

7. HEXAGONAL ROUND BASKET
First, take 3 short strips (they should be twice the length of the corners of the hexagonal base) and arranged in a six sided asterisk to form the centre. Then put 2 long stripes on the opposite sides of the first centre strip. Then single weave i.e. one up and one down, putting in the next two strips on the opposite sides of the second centre strip. Then add the other two strips on the third centre stripe. A hexagon will take shape with 6 triangles like a star.



First 3 yellow strips to form asterisk and add the next 6 green strips.
















Each time you weave in a new strip, weave or cross to change the direction of the existing strips so that it is in one way only. Add as many strips as you wish depending on how big you want your base to be. If you follow the nine diagrams above there is no centre asterisk. It only starts with the 6 green strips. ( The hexagon will form the base, now fold in the ends of the`six corners to end them. only if you follow yellow and green base. )







Base of hexagonal basket with the grey asterisk folded in.













Diagram 10
Now bend the six flat triangles to an upright position and interweave the six sides. Make sure the strips come up in one direction only, if not adjust them.


Diagram 11.
After that, put one horizontal stripe through the vertical crisscross strips all around the hexagon with the vertical strips in one direction. Put in the second horizontal circle with the vertical strips facing the other direction as opposed to the first row. Put the number of circles or rounds you want and end by turning in one strip on one side and the other on the other side. Reinforce the last row by putting one or two extra strips in to strengthen the top circle making it firm and strong.










My favorite combination is to start the centre with 3 strips of one color ie white, continue with 2 rows of another color ie green and end the hexagon with the centre color ie white.
Basket turned to show base. Note all the white asterisks. Add in white stripes in rounds to side to get design as shown.






Hexagonal basket with 3 colors following rows as shown in base design. Weave one color on one side so that you have three colors for the 3 sides.







Three colors but placed alternately so has different design unlike the one on top. Two color handles on both sides. Basket can also be made with a stand at the bottom like the other types.















Hexagonal vase or bottle basket with collar - When the base is big enough, the sides are bent up. The strips will be crossing in the same way as before. For the sides a new strip is inserted for each round. Weave 5 rounds. Basket on left, ie 2 blue and 1 white. To change the pattern x or to make just the basket smaller at the top xx you can interweave the basic strips without inserting a new strip to the height you want. End and single weave down a few rows so that the top looks thick like a collar. Unfinished vase on left is weaved with 1 yellow and 1 grey.















Note the difference between the two bases, yellow and grey basket has a stand by weaving one more round at bottom. This has no asterisk so a hexagonal hole in centre, while bottle basket has an asterisk giving it a different design.

BALLS - USED PLASTIC STRAPS - G

8. PENTAGON BALL


Some time ago I learnt to make another item ie the Sepak Takraw ball. I named it the triangle-pentagon ball. Here are the instructions. You need six strips of binders that is about two or three perimeters of the ball. To make it easy use six strips of six different colors. The size of the ball will depend on the thickness of the binders and the tightness of your handiwork.








Start with three strips and make an interlocking triangle. Place the fourth strip on the opposite side to form the second interlocking triangle. Then place the fifth strip on the adjacent side so that you make five triangles cornering five sides i.e. a pentagon. Then put the sixth strip around the five triangles weaving up and down and gather it back in a circle. At the top of that circle, criss-cross the five strips with the other strips to make another 5 triangles.









Weave again with the other strip to make another pentagon and join the strip with an alternate strip to make another triangle and join back the same strip together in a circle. The ball will take shape, then connect each stripe to the other strip interweaving in single weaves. Cut them at a slant and at a point that it is hidden under a weave. Put some rubber cement gum on the ends and tug them under a weave so that they do not come out when the ball is thrown around. It is really fun to kick and hit it just like a feathercock of olden times. It can also be twirled like a top. Use thick and strong strips




Ball made of 6 color strips wounded round three
times for strength.





Ball made of one color strips.



Ball made of thick black strips and light color
thin strips on the center of strips for decoration.







Ball made with thin 1 cm strips used for tying newspaper with metal bell inside. Good toy for little hands of toddlers.