It's a new year and time for spending some long winter days inside, coming up with new ideas for your baskets and basket classes.

Twill baskets - #1, #2 and #3. Last year I took Flo Hoppe's advice and after making one basket, I changed something about it, then made another one changing something else. The results are the three twill baskets in this issue. I started with the small one, then decided to make a larger basket with just the twill pattern at the top. Then, bravely, I tried making the larger one completely in the twill pattern. To my amazement, I discovered (while still designing it on paper, not while weaving, thank goodness) that the pattern could not continue indefinitely, it had to reverse, then continue, then reverse again. It was a great exercise in weaving - try it!

Sally Ben-hameda has contributed the "Fairy's Tea Party," a darling basket with a charming ceramic child's tea set that fits inside and a ceramic fairy to sit on the rim.

"Northwoods with Bear" is a practical country market basket designed by Ronda Brugh. The wood and homespun decorations include a tree, bear, and canoe. Several other variations are available.

I hope you'll enjoy making these baskets, your own winter basketweaving projects and enjoy any snow that might come your way!

Deb