Major Price Increases

Please Note: Due to rising inflation, manufacturing and shipping costs around the world, the cost of materials and products is rising, often with no warning and with every new order. We never increase our prices unless our supplier increases their product pricing. Some price increases we can absorb, some we can not. Prices are subject to change without notice. New prices will be noted in the monthly newsletters. The on-line catalog is always current. Thank you for understanding.


We are sorry to say that we are suspending our quantity discounts for reeds and pre-woven cane until further notice. At this time we are not always able to get the materials that we have on order. There is a limited availabilty of some raw materials and we do not know when out of stock supplies will be shipped. Hopefully things will return to normal soon.

Random Weave Class this Sat

Don't miss out on your chance to learn Random Weave - http://www.countryseat.com/basketclasses.htm#angie - this Saturday, June 16th from 9-1.

New Patterns

4 new patterns by Anne Bowers' - http://catalog.countryseat.com/search.aspx?find=bowers - make a nesting set of Ribbed Hearth baskets, each with a different braided handle.

Great New Classes!

Our 2012 classes are posted!
http://www.countryseat.com/basketclasses.htm
There's something for everyone!

Article - Jan Hopkins

http://www.valleyfiberlife.com/imported-data/orange-peels-and-torsos-with-jan-hopkins.html
Learn more about the unique weaver Jan Hopkins.

Keeping Round Reed Weaving Tight

If you are having trouble keeping your round reed weaving (esp. the 4 & 5 double-rod or 2-ply weaving: O2U2 & O3U2) under control, try these tips:

Pull any slack out of the weaver with every "stitch" you make. I consider a "stitch" the motion that one weaver makes as it goes in front of and behind of a spoke. I give a small tug on the weaver as I go in front of a spoke/s and then lay it behind a spoke/s. Don't pull hard enough to affect the shape (unless you are making the shape move into a smaller diameter [and you should also be pushing inward on the spokes] and then you must also be compressing the rows! See below.) just enough to pull out any slack. You should feel a little give and then the weaver comes to a stop. Stop when you feel the stop.

Make sure the spokes are damp to wet and grasp several in one hand. Position your other hand with the fingers in between the spokes, against the weaving. Pull up with the spoke hand and push down with your fingers. I compress the rows about every 2-3 "stitches" (the complete motion that one weaver makes before picking up the next weaver). I always do a 4 or 5 rod wale in RR, O2U2 or O3U2 patterns, which are harder to compress than a O2U1 pattern. This is why I stress that the spokes need to be wet or damp. I keep them damp all the way through anyway becuase of the different nature of the beast.

Adding Wire Handles

If you're not sure what to do with or how to attach wire handles, vist our FAQ's page for more info: http://www.countryseat.com/faq2.htm#wire .

http://catalog.countryseat.com/11mhminirabbitwithheartwire.aspx - Our Feb sale wire #11mh is a cute rabbit with a heart in his belly. Perfect for Easter and when he's sold out he's gone for good! Get them while they last.