Make a small paper-plate basket by cutting the rim into an odd number of connected tabs, bending them upward and weaving yarn alternately in front of and behind each tab. Leave the plate’s central base uncut. Use the finished piece as a lightweight decoration or dry craft-supply holder rather than a container for food, water or heavy objects.
Choose a plate that holds a fold
Start with a plain, firm paper plate with a distinct flat center and a broad rim. A very soft plate may collapse, while a heavily coated or brittle one can split when bent. Test a spare plate if you have one. Gather scissors, a pencil, yarn and a small piece of tape for anchoring the first tail.
Choose smooth medium or bulky yarn for the first basket. Very thin yarn takes many rows to cover the sides, and fluffy yarn can hide the over-under path while you are learning. Work with a manageable cut length rather than trying to pass a large ball through every opening. An adult should prepare difficult cuts for younger crafters.
Divide the rim into an odd number of tabs
For a first attempt on a plate about 9 inches across, try 9 broad rim tabs. Mark the divisions around the edge and cut inward only as far as the edge of the flat central base. The plate size is a practice example; preserve the base rather than using a fixed cutting depth on every plate.
Count the sections before cutting. An odd number lets a continuous alternating weave reverse its front-and-back position on the next circuit. If you use an even number, the same tabs will tend to remain covered on each circuit unless you deliberately change the pattern. Make the odd count part of your setup.
Keep the tab widths reasonably even. Small differences are fine, but a very narrow tab can bend or tear as the yarn passes it. Draw short guide marks first, then inspect the spacing around the whole rim before committing to the cuts.
Cut to the base and bend the tabs upward
Follow each mark from the rim inward, stopping where the flat base begins. Do not cut across the center. Remove any loose fragments and bend the tabs upward gently at their base. Keep the folds at similar heights so the basket has a level starting point.
If a cut extends into the central disk, reinforce the back with paper tape before weaving, or restart if the base is badly weakened. Do not expect yarn tension to repair a torn structure. If a tab creases halfway up, straighten it carefully and use less pressure as you work around it.
Anchor the first yarn tail
Leave a short tail against the outside or underside of the base and hold it with a small piece of tape. Bring the working yarn to the lower part of the tab walls. Keep the anchor out of the path of the first row so it does not form a large bump. You can tuck and secure that tail more neatly after the weave begins to hold.
Pass the yarn in front of the first tab, behind the next and continue alternating. Lift or spread the tabs just enough to guide the yarn through. Keep the working end visible so you can see whether a crossing has been skipped.
Continue around with steady, light tension
When you return to the first tab, keep the same over-under rhythm. With an odd number of tabs, the yarn should now pass on the opposite side of that tab. Check the first two circuits carefully before adding many rows. This is easier than undoing a large section later.
Slide each completed row gently toward the base. Keep the rows close, but do not pull hard enough to squeeze the tabs together. A slightly open basket is easier to adjust than a tight cone. Turn the whole plate as you weave rather than twisting your wrist into an awkward position.
Check the pattern and side shape
If the yarn forms long horizontal spans across several tabs, trace the current row back to the first missed crossing. Undo only enough to correct it. If the same tabs stay hidden on successive circuits, recount the tabs and confirm the alternating sequence. A setup or crossing error is more likely than a problem with the yarn itself.
If the sides lean sharply inward, ease the tension and spread the tabs back to a comfortable shape. If rows rise unevenly, adjust them along several neighboring tabs instead of tugging one point. Keep the center base flat on the table while checking the overall form.
Join another length or change color
Before the working yarn becomes too short to handle, join a new length with a secure small knot and place the join where it can be tucked behind a woven row. Continue the same alternating path. Do not trim the tails immediately; make sure the join holds before hiding them.
The Museum of International Folk Art’s plate-weaving activity demonstrates the odd-tab basket structure using plastic strips. This version uses yarn and a light touch to build a similar decorative wall around the intact plate center.
Finish below the tab tips
Stop while enough of each tab remains exposed to keep the last row supported. Tuck the final yarn end through several existing rows on the inside and secure it discreetly if needed. Check that the first tail is also held before removing temporary tape. Keep the tab tips upright or bend them gently outward as a decorative finish.
Use the dry basket for a few light paper scraps or display it empty. Keep it away from moisture, pets and very young children who could pull out loose yarn. For another over-under project, try paper-strip weaving, or use leftover yarn for wrapped cardboard letters.
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