by Norma Buehlmann

This basket holds crackers for your holiday table.  It makes an excellent hostess gift paired with the cheese ball recipe given below. Materials: 1/2" Flat (spokes and rims) 1/4" Flat (weavers) #2 Round reed (twining, variation) #1 or #2 seagrass (twining and rim, variation) 1/4" Flat/Oval (lashing and weavers, variation) 1/2" Flat/Oval (outer rim, variation) Base: 6" x 10 1/2" Cut: Eleven 16" spokes out of 1/2" Flat reed Seven 20" spokes out of 1/2" Flat reed Mark spokes on rough side on center.  Lay out seven 20" spokes horizontally spanning 6", aligning the center marks. Over-under weave the 16" spokes vertically starting at the center marks of the horizontal spokes, weaving under the center spoke. True base to 6 x 10 1/2" and twine one row around base.  Upset stakes. Rows 1-5: 1/4" Flat plain Rows 6-8: 1/4" Flat dyed Rows 9-11: 1/4" Flat plain Cut and tuck spokes and form rim with 1/2" Flat inside and out.  Line with Seagrass and lash with 1/4" Flat. Rim: Form rim with 1/2" Flat/Oval outside, seagrass, 1/2" Flat inner rim, and 1/4" Flat/Oval lashing. Variation: Prepare base and twine as above. Rows 1-5: 1/4" Flat/Oval Rows 6-8: Twine 3 rows of #3 Round reed paired with #1 or #2 Seagrass Rows 9-11: 1/4" Flat/Oval Three Cheese Ball 8 ounces cream cheese 4 ounces cheddar cheese 4 ounces shredded blue cheese 1 tablespoon minced onion 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Leave cheese at room temperature for approximately 2 hours.  Place all ingredients except nuts in a mixing bowl.  Whip with mixer until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.  Shape into a ball and roll in chopped nuts.  Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until completely chilled.