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The basket has always been as much a part of the picnic as ants. A basket makes the perfect container to transport your meal and it is all you will need for a casual or a semi-formal picnic.

If you want to tote your picnic fare in a basket you have a wide variety of options to choose from. You may choose to weave your own, from patterns by an assortment of authors, or you can purchase a basket fitted out with all you will need. Several picnic basket patterns are available from KMC Baskets and Folkart. Additional picnic basket patterns are available to order online from The Country Seat. Search on the term "picnic" in their searchable product database. BasketPatterns.com also supplies numerous picnic basket patterns. Access a list of them with a "picnic" keyword search on their site. Maureen Joy, from Baskets of Joy, offers patterns for a lidded Picnic Hamper and Countryside Picnic Basket. Debbie Blair offers FREE patterns for a Summer Market Basket and a Round Reed Market Basket that would serve well as a small picnic basket when lined with a cloth.

Somerset Willow Co. features European willow baskets. They offer shipping to the US. Picnickers in Australia can look to Sundowner for their choice of fitted willow picnic baskets. These baskets are detailed with real leather handles, are fitted out with ceramic plates, flatware, a corkscrew, food containers, tumblers, salt & pepper shakers, even a picnic blanket, fabric napkins and wood cutting board in some cases. This will give you just about everything you will need for your next outdoor concert or family picnic. There is plenty of room for your lunch, a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers and perhaps some candles for some real elegance. Set an elegant picnic table with this Wicker Picnic Organizer from Baskets of Joy. It offers a place for everything so that you can put everything in its place for your next picnic.

If true elegance is more your style, consider a Nantucket Lightship Picnic Basket by Maggie Silva. This classic basket would be perfect for a picnic at the Yacht Club or Marina.

If you are looking for a simple summertime craft project for your family, try the Paper Bag Picnic Basket. You can even choose a fitted basket for your dog that includes everything you need for a day in the park or a trip with your pet.

Now that you have your basket for this picnic, you will need some food to pack it with. Cooks.com offers a range of picnic recipes. You could use the instructions from the National Watermelon Promotion Board to learn how to carve a ribbon, cascading or heart watermelon basket to keep the basket theme. This type of watermelon carving is a great idea for the centerpiece at the pot luck lunch at your basketry guild Summer events.

Regardless of whether you weave your own basket, or purchase one, go in style to your next picnic. Carry a basket!