The woven heart basket is one of the most classic Danish Christmas ornaments. They say the famous fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen made the first one around 1860 and it’s been a beloved Christmas Craft for children and adults ever since.
But I thought it was time for a little update, so I made a book of templates for all kinds of Christmas ornaments to weave – not just hearts.
I would love to show you how to weave a heart basket as we do it in Denmark.
NOTE! If you sign up below, you’ll get the instructions + extra templates in a neat printable pdf.
You need:
A template – download the mouse template here.
Paper – glossy paper, wrapping paper, design paper, pages from books and magazines, etc. The paper should not be too heavy, as it will be difficult to bend and weave. If the paper is too lightweight, the ornament will be fragile and easily torn, but you can glue two pieces together or apply fusible interfacing to the back. Glue/apply before cutting.
Scissors
Glue / glue stick
Stapler / tape / pins
String/ribbon for hanging – optional
Craft supplies for decoration, if you like
Cut your papers
Print the template.
Cut the template along the dashed line. Cut roughly a bit outside the rest of the outline.
You need two pieces of paper for weaving, preferably in two different colours or patterns.
Place the two pieces on top of each other so you can cut both pieces together. Fold them and place the dashed edge of the template up to the fold. Secure the template with staples, pins or tape. This makes it easier to cut the pieces without the paper shifting around.
Cut the incisions (the grey strokes) first and then the black outline.
Weave your ornament
For simplicity, the photos show weaving of a heart, but the same method goes for mice, angels etc.
1
Place the two parts so that the folded edge on one part is parallel to the outer straight edge of the other.
2
Lay the sections on top of each other to see if the incisions are cut long enough. You should be able to see the incisions on the back part.
3
Strip 1 is passed through strip A, so A is at the front and back.
4
Strip A is passed through strip 2, so 2 is at the front on both sides.
5
Strip 3 is passed through strip A.
6
Slide strip A up, so it is located at the top of the sections. The first row is done.
7
Strip B is passed through strip 1.
8
Strip C is going on the outside of strip 1.
9
Now slip C through strip 2.
10
That was the second row.
11
Strip C is going on the outside of strip 1.
12
Now slip C through strip 2.
13
Finally, slip strip 3 into strip C.
14
The parts may need to be pushed in place to make it just right.
15
Et voila, the weaving is complete.
16
Add a ribbon and decorations.
“Have you ever tried to weave a snowman?
How about an angel or a reindeer?
The book “Scandinavian Woven Christmas Ornaments” has lots of templates and inspiration for woven ornaments inspired by the classic Scandinavian Woven Christmas heart baskets, but in brand new shapes and with ample opportunity to add a touch of your style and personality.
The models are made so beginners can join as well. There are detailed step-by-step instructions for the weaving techniques.
All you need is paper, scissors, glue and Christmas spirit.
Enjoy!”
Sign up below to get access to The Library. In there you’ll find – among other freebies – an 8-pages sample from the book with instructions and templates for more paper ornaments ↓
I am a maker by heart, and love to inspire crafty children and adults to cultivate their imagination and creative play. I create patterns and how-to’s to make it easy for you to create stuff and add your own touch to it.