Woven Heart Basket
Crafting woven heart baskets for Christmas is a tradition in Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark. Learn how to make these lovely baskets and fill them with sweets or greeting cards—perfect for Christmas or Valentine's Day!
Featured Crafts
Supplies Needed
- Two sheets of A4 or Letter size cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue
- Ribbon (optional)
STEPS
1Print out the template.
Print out two copies of the heart basket template on different colors of A4 or Letter size cardstock.
2Cut out the template.
Cut out one template piece from each colored paper.
3Cut slits.
Fold each template in half. While keeping the paper folded, cut along the 3 inside lines.
If you don't want the lines on the template showing on your basket, unfold the paper after cutting all the inside lines. Fold the other way so that the lines are hidden on the inside of the folded paper.
4Label the templates.
If this is your first time to make this craft, you can label the four strips on each template. This will make it much easier to follow the succeeding weaving steps. Use a pencil to label the left-hand template with D-C-B-A and the right-hand template with 1-2-3-4.
5Weave Strip 1 through Strip A.
Place the right-hand template under the left-hand template. Rotate the two templates so that they are at right angles to each other.
To start weaving, take Strip 1 and weave it through the loop of Strip A.
6Weave Strip 1 around Strip B.
Next, weave Strip 1 around Strip B.
7Weave Strip 1 through Strip C.
Continue by weaving Strip 1 through the loop of Strip C.
8Weave Strip 1 around Strip D.
Finish weaving Strip 1 by weaving it around Strip D.
9Move up Strip 1.
Move Strip 1 up until it touches the top of the slits.
10Weave Strip 2 around Strip A.
Now take Strip 2 and weave it around Strip A.
11Weave Strip 2 through Strip B.
Weave Strip 2 through Strip B.
12Weave Strip 2 around Strip C.
Then weave Strip 2 around Strip C.
13Weave Strip 2 through Strip D.
Finish weaving Strip 2 by weaving it through Strip D.
14Weave Strips 3 and 4.
Weave Strip 3 similar to Strip 1 (See Steps 5-8) and Strip 4 like Strip 2 (Refer to Steps 10-13). Gently ease the strips towards the edges. Erase any pencil marks.
15Make a handle.
Cut a strip of cardstock or construction paper to make the handle. Glue the ends on the inside of the heart basket.
16Use the basket.
Once the glue dries, fill the basket with candy, chocolates, confetti, or Valentine's day notes.
More Ideas
Make a basket for Valentine's day.
Make a Valentine's Day basket by using red and pink or red and white color combinations. Hang the baskets as Valentine's Day decorations or fill them with sweets or Valentine notes to give to friends and loved ones.
Use patterned paper.
Use paper with patterns to create a catchy-looking basket.
Create an interesting handle.
Make an interesting handle with these ideas:
- Use ribbon or string - instead of making a paper handle, use a length of ribbon or colorful string to make the handle.
- Wavy or scalloped edges - cut paper with a pair of paper edging scissors to make a handle with fancy edges.
- Punched shapes - punch out shapes along the length of the paper handle.
- Stickers - decorate the paper handle with stickers or glue some small paper or foam shapes.
- Accent with lace - glue a strip of lace or ribbon along the length of the paper handle.
Make a woven felt basket.
For a sturdier basket, use felt instead of paper. The steps are similar except that you need to trace around the template onto felt. Sew the ends of a strip of felt onto the heart basket to make a handle. Stitch on accents like buttons or beads if you like.
