Select Your Tools

• Raffia is more natural, but in a pinch, dental floss will do.BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
  
  Find a tree that is relatively close to the ground-- that is, unless you feel like hauling around a ladder or have perfected the ancient Polynesian skill of climbing coconut trees. A mid-size clipper should be enough to get through all but the thickest of coconut fronds. Try to reach a frond near the center of the tree, as outer fronds are older and have therefore had to endure harsher weather than their younger counterparts. One should suffice, but you may consider cutting more if you are working in a group. You should also have on hand a large pocket knife, scissors, water, a rag and something to tie your project off, like dental floss, raffia or, if you're feeling adventurous, coconut sennet.
  
  

Prepare the Fronds

• Bisect the frond with your pocket knife.Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
  
  Use your pocket knife to split the large, woody center of the frond to the end, bisecting the frond entirely. Shear off the woody section until the base of the fronds is flexible and a few millimeters thick. Clean the fronds with water and the rag. Be sure to wipe the inner fold of the fronds, as certain insects like to make their homes here. Also be sure that none of the fronds are, on closer inspection, diseased or otherwise discolored.
  
  

Bind the Fronds

• Wrap the string around the ends several times before tying off.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  Compare the fronds from end to end of the frond to determine which are closest in size. Depending on how large you want your basket to be, cut the base around any even number of fronds numbering six or higher. Baskets made from an odd number of fronds will result in a hole in the bottom of the basket. Once you've cut the base, score it at the ends with your pocket knife. Curl the edges of the base together in a circular shape and bind the overlapping scored ends tightly with raffia, dental floss or coconut sennet. The overlap area should be equal to the distance between fronds to ensure the basket retains its symmetry . Curl the fronds around the entire circle several times to soften them and ensure they do not crack.
  
  

Weave the Exterior

• Make sure the yellow ribs face upward during this step.Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
  
  Take your first frond and weave it over the others in the following pattern: over, over, under, over, under. Hold the frond with your non-dominant hand. Be sure that the ribs, or the closed side of the fronds, are facing upward. Fronds naturally grow pointing in the same direction, so be sure to weave in this direction. Continue weaving in the over, over, under, over, under pattern until all fronds have been woven. Gently pull on the fronds to tighten, which will result in slightly-curled, cylindrical basket. Alternatively, you may loosen the weaving to create a platter.
  
  

Finish Up

• Make sure all the fronds are pointing downward from the base of the basket. To finish the basket, simply weave the fronds between the base of the fronds directly opposite of them, working in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The bottom of the basket should resemble a circular, multi-pointed star. Pull gently on the fronds to tighten. Weave the fronds up into the basket and use scissors to cut them off. If you have enough room, you may also twist or loop the fronds around the bowl to decorate it.