Did you miss an issue or accidentally delete the email? Listed below are the 2016 issues of The Reed Reader noting the highlights of each issue. You can access each issue in full using the drop down menu above under 2016 Archives and then selecting the month of your choice. Remember that if you are viewing a newsletter from your computer or tablet, that anything that is highlighted in blue will hyperlink you to the appropriate referenced website. Each issue will open in a new browser window showing the complete newsletter. You may choose to print the newsletter in its entirety from that browser window.

  • January: It's all about craft and art fair booths this month and what I learned from the first fair that I did (Ugh! Unpleasant memories!) See nifty display options for your baskets. "Paisley", a market basket with flair on her corners is released.
  • February: A great issue for the beginner or novice weaver! A plethora of links to tutorials and videos for basket weaving techniques are provided. "Daphne" is available to weave. The market style basket has a seaside themed look about her and features a Josephine Knot front and center.
  • March: It's a Wrap! A handle wrap that is. Step-by-step instruction for the beginner weaver to successfully complete their first handle wrapping (with options on how to 'step it up a notch'). "Zelda" the wall bin to use for your recycled bags is released. "Mia" and "Mya" are the pretty sister vases woven with round reed spokes on drilled bases.
  • April: It's All About that Base! (Sing it Meghan Trainor!!) A good discussion is included on both woven and wood bases. "Iris", the "I've-made-this-tray-basket-SOOO-many-times" design (and still offer the kit too) was introduced. Plus, "Tessa" teaches the Butterfly Knot and the Josephine Knot which have become super popular with weavers. "Valerie" is my most popular toy basket with her sturdy wood base and easy-to-grip leather handles.
  • May: Three new patterns were introduced ... "Hannah" is a market basket with an introduction to triple braid weaving. "Faye" is a divided tote basket (three compartments) which has shaker tape handles. And "Kenzie" is just a fun bucket style basket that weaves up super quick.
  • June: It's the Cat's Meow and all about Cat Head baskets! I wove my first (and you'll want to try it now too). The gathering basket patterns of "Vanessa" and "Babette" are available now.
  • July: Color My World - With colors that compliment! I love this article and the helpful links provided. "Gracie" (awww ... miss my Gracie girl, 2003-2017) showed off a woven pet bed (or gathering basket for you non-furry-mamas/daddies). "Makayla" includes a step-by-step tutorial for triple lashing.
  • August: Are You Shape Challenged? Tips for weaving straight sides (and not the hour glass shape that we really wish we had "somewhere" else) are provided in the article this month, along with ideas on how to think 'outside the box' for various weaving forms and molds. Four new patterns are introduced: "Noelle" with her 10 pages and 46 photos to learn triple twine with arrows and french randing with arrows (among other techniques), "Shelley" a heavy duty divided market on a wood base, "Idalene" with instruction for a new handle wrap; and "Oceanna" the seaside market with 'waves'. 
  • September: Copyright. What does it mean? There's a detailed article on copyright infringement and what you can - and can't do - with a written pattern (plus a story on what happened to me to cause this particular issue to be discussed). A graphic, or flow chart, is included that has been referenced many times (and shared with the author's permission) for helping you determine what's allowed.
  • October: I Know You're Just DYEING TO Know! There's in in-depth article on what you'll need (and what to expect) when you decide to dye your own reed. It's fun AND it can save you a TON of money!
  • November: Some links to a few free Christmas projects to weave are included. Plus see the bright and bold aquamarine dyed reed featured in the gathering basket patterns of "Alysha" and "Pasha". "Kumiko" ('pretty braided girl' in Japanese) made her debut. Kumiko has been quite popular on the teaching circuit.