Materials: Straw; brown floss silk; brown ribbon, 1-1/4 inch wide; small
glass beads; a piece of bamboo cane.
This basket has a cover formed of two pieces. It can be employed for
many things, and is formed entirely of crochet-work with brown silk
over straw. A ruche trimmed with beads and bows of brown silk ribbon
form the trimming of the basket. The straws over which you crochet must
be damp, so as not to be stiff. They should be of unequal length, and
when you join the two ends of two straws together, try to hide the
beginning with the other straws. Begin the basket in the centre of the
bottom part with 46 stitches; then work 9 rounds on either side of this
first row, working alternately 1 double stitch, 1 or 2 chain stitches,
the double stitch in the chain stitch of the preceding round, the last
round over wire.
[Illustration: 273.--Bottom of Work Basket (272).]
It is necessary to increase regularly in all the rounds to keep the work
flat. When you have finished the bottom begin the border of the basket,
which is worked of the same piece with it, and consists of 11 rounds.
It is worked in the same way as the bottom, the first 2 rounds without
increasing the number of stitches, but in the following 9 rounds
increase 2 double stitches at both ends, in order that the edge may be a
little wider in the upper part. In the last round add a piece of wire to
the straws.
[Illustration: 272.--Work Basket in Straw and Crochet.]
The cover of the basket is formed of two pieces. Begin in the middle
with 28 stitches; crochet each half in rows forming a half circle,
working backwards and forwards; at the beginning of each row turn the
straws, and take care that the rows which are finished form a straight
line. Each half of the cover requires 9 rows; the last one is worked
over wire. The two halves are united at the straight sides by a brown
silk ribbon 1-1/4 inch wide, which is sewed on underneath, and which
forms a sort of hinge; sew on also a piece of wire covered with brown
silk, so as to make the hinge stronger. Form the handle with a piece of
bamboo cane 23 inches long, and covered with straws; work over it in
long stitches of brown silk, and let it go down to the bottom of the
basket; then sew the cover on the handle with the brown ribbon, which
forms the two parts. Trim the basket with a ruche of double box pleats,
ornamented with glass beads and with bows of brown silk ribbon.
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