How to Make a Woven Paper Heart Basket for Valentine's Day

How to Make a Woven Paper Heart Basket for Valentine's Day

This woven heart basket is a fun paper craft I learned in third grade. We used giant pieces of butcher paper to make woven hearts for our Valentine's boxes. Just a couple of pieces of light weight paper is all it takes to make this cute little heart. Great for a last minute Valentine surprise!

This cute weaving project can be used to hold little treats to deliver to neighbors and friends. You can make it as big as the paper you have too!

Here's a video of the process. Pattern and step by step instructions follow in the post.

Supplies Needed for Woven Paper Heart:

• 2 Colors of Lightweight Paper (this does not work with cardstock)
• Scissors

Step 1: Cutting the Half Heart Shape

Begin by folding the paper in half, so the dimensions are 5.5 by 8.5. You can print this paper pattern and then cut from some scratch paper. It should be 2.5 inches wide by 5 inches and have rounded corners at the top. 

Then cut that shape on the fold of the colored paper, cutting 2 identical long oval pieces.

Keep the cut paper pieces folded in half.

Step 2: Cut 2 slits in each Heart Half

Now cut 2 long slits in each half heart. Nearly to the top of the curved edges. I just eyeballed this. You can actually cut a variety of widths and get a very different finished effect, so go for it!

Make your weaving have 4, 5, 6 or even 10 sections for weaving together! Make the lines different shapes by cutting them with decorative scissors!

The weaving process is a little daunting, because the heart container opens up! Don't fret though, it's really pretty simple.

A typical, non 3D weaving, is over under. This is a little more complicated because it is around and through. Creating the 3D basket effect with a weaving on both sides.

Step 3: Weave the Paper Heart

Hold the paper heart halves as pictured below. Begin with number 3 and push C through the opening of 3. Then slide 2 through the opening of C. Then push C through 1.

Then continue weaving 3 through B, B through 2, 1 through B.
Finish off the heart by weaving A through 3, 2 through A and finally A through 1.

Give it a few tries if it seems complex and you'll get the hang of it! Then check inside the heart to make sure you did the weaving correctly. It should open up like a cute little basket.

Add a loop for a hanging basket if desired. Fill with treats, hang on a garland, make them out of felt for a more permanent decoration, or make them giant using large pieces of paper!

Here's a fun idea: 

Make a basket loop big enough to fit over someone's door knob, then you can deliver them as a fun surprise!

That's it! Make as many as you want! Experiment with different numbers of weaving strips. Have fun!

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