BASKET WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18632, 13 February 1924, Page 14

BASKET WORK.

There is a number St new ideas a:'.d designs in. baskets, both artistic and practical says a writer in an exchange. One woman, for instancy now makes lovely workbaskets of fine natural cane, introducing the same fine cane," dyed in the most beautiful; soft colours, in the form of bands surrounding the basket and a decorative pattern on the top. Although she has a decided preference .for bowl-shaped baskets, this craftworker never makes two baskets exactly alike in design and colour, so the woman who possesses one feels that she has a distinctive article which may be specially designed for ! her to go with the colour of her drawing-room. An excellent workbasket is also being made by one of tho disabled soldiers' industries. It isr in a lantern shape, after an 1 Italian model, and has a limp cane handle, which is threaded through slots in the lid, so that a hinge and fastening are not added. . Another industry for which designs are inspired by a woman is making a delightful basket in osier which is a replica of one used by the women cf the Tyrol for gathering the mountain strawberries. The lid is woven on to the handle, so that it cannot got lost, and for this reason it makes a popular blackberrying basket. A new design in a half-circle waste-paper i?» c ket, with one straight side so that it can stand flat against , the wall, is also excellent., i > A b".' V 6 in the shape of a miniature hammv- for sending away a present of pouk;-v it Christmas is another good notion, « id a "lunch for two" basket is like the oH-fashioned and familiar market basket with the lid on each side of the handle but it is an oblong shape so that it wil hold a vacuum flask. A little cane basket with a handle for carrying an extra flask, which it fits exactly, is a very practical idea, and the circular bottom is woven with a hole in the middle by which the flask can be pushed out of its case * A cane basket holder for a jam jar Is a charming novelty, and looks very prettv on the breakfast table.