Paper Rattan Weaving Strip, 0.6 in x 82 ft, Khaki

Paper rattan is a flat strip made of twisted kraft paper strands laid side by side, so it looks like woven rattan but handles like paper. This roll is 0.6 in wide and 82 ft (27.3 yd) long, in a soft khaki color.

The big difference from natural reed or cane is that you weave it dry. There is no soaking, no waiting and no damp towels, so it is easy to pick up for an evening, take to a class or work on at the kitchen table.

Good projects for paper strip:

• Storage baskets and bins with square or rectangular bottoms
• Lidded boxes and small trays
• Plaited patterns, where flat strips cross over and under each other
• Covering jars, boxes and frames

Paper strip is for decorative and storage pieces. It is not made for chair seats or anything that will take a person's weight, and like any paper it should be kept away from water.

Tips for weaving with paper strip:

• Cut strips with sharp scissors, and add a little length for overlaps and tucking in ends.
• Hold strips in place with clips while you weave the base or a plait.
• Anchor ends and joins with a dab of white craft glue, then clip until it sets.
• Keep the strip flat, and avoid creases where you do not want a fold.

Once the piece is woven, you can leave it the natural khaki color, paint it, or brush on a clear sealer to stiffen it and make it easier to wipe clean. Try paint or sealer on an offcut first.

It suits beginners who want to skip the soaking, crafters who make storage for the home, and teachers who want a clean, dry material for a group.

There is one size, 0.6 in wide, which reads well on storage baskets, boxes and plaited work and covers ground quickly.

To work out how much you need, add up the strips in your pattern. For a plaited basket, count the strips that cross the base and run up the sides, multiply by their length, then add the strips that go around. Allow a few inches extra on every strip for tucking in the ends. If the total comes close to 82 ft, get a second roll so you do not run short near the rim.