Swedish Woven Christmas Heart Baskets

 

I spent most of my primary school years in Scandinavia.

When we lived in Sweden we used to make these woven heart baskets

at Christmas time, to hang on the tree with sweets in them. 

I've been making them this year with my children and

with some groups of children who I work with at their school.

 

This is how I make them:

 

1.  Make a template.

Mine is 7cm x 10cm, rounded at one end with two 8cm slits.

 

2.  Cut out.

Fold two different coloured pieces of A4 paper in half horizontally.

Draw around the template (the flat edge sits on the fold) and cut out.

I get 4 hearts out of 2 pieces of paper.

 

3.  Start weaving.

I find it easier to weave the hearts up side down.

Think over/ through/ over, rather than the traditional over/ under weaving,

as you are working with two layers which will open as a basket.

 

4. Continue weaving.

The second row is through, over, through.

Then do the third row the opposite way (over, through, over).

 

5.  Finish off.

Cut a strip of paper 2cm x 21cm for the handle.

Tape the handle in place.

6. Fill with sweets.



7.  Hang on the tree...

...and see how long the sweets last!

 

You can make smaller or larger versions and mix any colours you like,

although the traditional ones usually have red in them.

This is how I do them, but there are plenty of other instructions

and templates around on the Internet if you look.

 

(My Creative Space)