Use bent nose tweezers to bend the wires to form the sides of the miniature fruit basket. Bend the wires at right angles close to the base, keeping these wire stakes evenly separated.
Weave three rows of three rod waling to set the side stakes in place. Three Rod Waling is a main type of wicker weave used to add strength to baskets. It is a very simple technique that becomes automatic very quickly. If you need clearer instructions, see step six of the miniature flower basket instructions. In the photos in those instructions, the three rod waling has been done with green embroidery thread to differentiate it from the pairing weave done in brown.Prepare to Begin the Waling Weave Lay three, two foot lengths, of two strands of embroidery floss (waxed as before if possible)setting each length between a set of wires (stakes or rods) with about one inch (2.5 cm) of the thread behind the flower basket base.
Hold the Ends Behind the Base with one finger and use your free hand to take the farthest left section across two wires (rods or stakes) and around the back of the third wire from your start, leaving the thread laying across the front of the basket base.
Work Each Left Hand Strand across in front of two wires, then around in back of a wire, then pick up the farthest left hand strand and repeat the pattern, across the front of two wires, then around in back of a wire and back to the front of the flower basket base.
This pattern of taking the left hand weaver (in our case a set of two strands of embroidery thread) across the fronts of two wires (and over the other threads) to the right, then around in back of a wire before leaving it to take up the weaver (threads) on the left again is called three rod waling when done with wicker. It creates a sturdy braid of weaving which is used for many wicker projects.
