What I'm Weaving Wednesday

It's a beautiful fall day here in Central Pennsylvania....brilliant sunshine and crisp, cool air are the perfect backdrop for fiery trees of reds, yellows and golds against a clear blue sky.  

This is my absolute most favorite time of year!  

After a summer of weaving almost nothing, thoughts of upcoming Holidays and more time spent indoors has somehow re-kindled my desire to weave!

So I thought I'd try to make a weekly thing of sharing with you what I'm weaving!

Today, I made a basket for which I have had a pattern for a LONG time.

When I first saw the pattern, I was drawn to the striking contrast of the colors and the use of a technique I had never seen or tried before.

So finally, today, I made the basket.

This is called the Midnight Illusions Market Basket, and is designed by Laura Weinkamer. (Available at Basketpatterns.com for $3.50)

I just love the contrast of midnight black reed on  creamy natural with a hint of burgundy!

From a distance, the pattern is remiscent of a diamond quilted pattern, but if you stare at it and let your eyes go out of focus, steps begin to appear!

The best thing about it is, it's super easy to achieve this affect!

Now I don't want to be giving away someone else's pattern, so I can't tell you how it's done.

But trust me, buy the pattern, and you will absolutely LOVE it!

The pattern is well-suited for a beginner, and is a generous 8 x 11" basket woven on an 8 x 12 "D" handle.  

Very often, beginner patterns that are offered are just kind of boring.

But give this pattern a whirl and you will impress everyone with your basket prowess!

You'll probably have most of what you need on hand to make this basket, but here's the list so you can make sure you order anything else you need when you order the pattern:

5/8" flat natural reed

1/4" black and burgundy reed

1/2" black reed

3/8" flat natural reed

#2 round reed

1/2" flat oval reed

3/16" flat oval reed

8 x 12 "D" handle

In a land where all baskets start to look the same after a while, this one is truly a stand-out!

Happy Weaving!