Amish Knot: Basket

Here’s a how to make a basket using the Amish knot technique, which allows you to make use of fabric scraps. The Amish knot is a weaving technique that requires no loom or any other tools—just your hands. You can use this technique to make placemats, baskets, or small baskets. And this tutorial is for just such a basket—or rather, a small basket. The Amish knot technique involves tying strips of fabric, so it’s a great way to use up fabric scraps, old bedding, or even clothing. Traditionally, this technique works best with non-stretch fabrics, such as cotton canvas, but for items that don’t need to hold their shape (e.g., a bath mat), you can also use stretch fabrics.

If you findthis instructable interesting and would like to try another technique named after the Amish, I have an Amish stumpwork tutorial. Or would you like to make a basket using a different technique? Then there’s the Boho basket from homemade coiled rope, the Grass basket, and the Cardboard box basket.

1. non-elastic fabric that can be cut into stripes
2. scissors

Cut the fabric into strips about 5 cm/2 in wide. They can be narrower or wider, but I find this width to be a good all-around choice.

First, you need to tie two strips of fabric together. One will be the guide strip and the other the knotting strip. In the photos, the pink strip is the guide strip and the green strip is the knotting strip. Place the end of the knotting strip on top of the end of the guide strip, overlapping by about 5 cm. Fold this overlapping section and make a small cut — 1–2 cm/0.4-0.8 in is enough. (picture 1)

Take the other end of the knotting strip (the one on top) and thread it through the cut from below. Pull the end all the way through, which will join the guide strip and the knotting strip together. (picture 2)

Once you run out of the fabric for the guide or knotting strip, you’ll need to extend it. The process is exactly the same—place the end of the new strip on top of the end of the strip that’s running out (the new strip must be on top), fold it over, cut it, and pull the other end of the new strip up from the bottom. (picture 3)

The base of the basket will be a loop that you’ll gradually weave around. Arrange the strips as shown in the photo. The knotting strip must go under the guide strip and be bent so that the strips together form a shape resembling the letter P. (picture 1)

Pass the loose end of the knotting strip through the loop that would be the "belly" of the letter P. (picture 2)

Stretch out the entire knotting strip. Do not pull it all the way tight; there should be a loop large enough to fit 1–2 fingers. This will be the center of the bottom of the basket; you will now make six loops around this loop. (picture 3)

Arrange the strips again so that they form the letter P. (picture 4)

The difference is that you first pull the end of the knotting strip through the base loop, and only then through the P-shaped loop. (picture 5)

It doesn't look like much so far, but just make sure to remember which loop is the base loop. (picture 6)

Work 5 more knots around the base loop in this way. (picture 7)

It's time to work the next row, in which you'll make 2 knots (or loops) into each loop of the first row. Follow the same procedure: arrange the stripes into a “P,” pull the knotting stripe through the loop of the previous row, then through the belly of the “P.” (picture 8)

This is how you work the second row. In the third and fourth rows, you’ll also work two loops into each loop from the previous row; starting with the fifth row, work only one loop into each loop from the previous row. Throughout the entire process, regularly lay the bottom piece flat and adjust it so that it’s even. (picture 9)

Tip: If it seems like the bottom is closing in on itself, keep adding two loops into every loop of the previous row even beyond the 4th row. If, on the other hand, the bottom is too wavy and won’t straighten out, it’s time to switch to adding only one loop earlier than the 4th row. However, slight waviness usually evens out on its own once you switch to adding one loop.

Keep adding rows until the bottom is as wide as you want it to be. The bottom of this basket is 37 cm/14.6 in wide. (picture 10)

The side of the basket is actually made exactly the same way, except that you don’t add loops to widen the bottom—instead, you add loops so that the subsequent rows rise above the bottom. Position the bottom so that the side you’re working on is farther away from you. Add the first loop into the loop of the previous row, but this time make sure the new loop lies on top of the stitch from the previous row, not to the side of it. (picture 1)

The first row will be raised only slightly; you'll hardly notice the difference. (picture 2)

But after just a few rows, you'll see that the sides of the basket are starting to rise. (picture 3)

Once the basket is almost as tall as you want it to be, it’s time to make the handles. Now, don’t add any loops above the previous row; instead, make a separate chain of ten stitches. Again, arrange both strands in a P shape, and simply tie the knotting strip around the guide strip. (picture 1)

Tighten the loop just as you would the loops on the sides of the basket. (picture 2)

Make 10 loops in total. (picture 3)

Then, starting from the loop where the chain begins, count 5 loops, and attach the handle to the fifth loop. (picture 4)

After attaching the handle, continue the row as usual. Measure the edge of the basket exactly halfway, and make the second handle on the other side. (picture 5)

As soon as you reach the handle again in the next row, continue by adding another row as usual. (picture 6)

Add two more rows of stitches above the handles like this. (picture 7)

Once you've finished the last row, thread the ends of both strips through the loops on the inside of the basket and tie them in a knot. You can also sew them in by hand. (picture 1)

And that's it, I hope you enjoyed the process!