The first photo is the type basket I'm aiming for.
Basket 1 is the start: I'm assuming you have a basket- shaped lump on your Santa with a center line on it.
Basket 2: We need top and bottom "lips" or edges that protrude from the body of the basket.
Basket 3: Trim down body of basket so it's smooth and even. Replace center line. Round edges of "lips."
Basket 4: If you need basket hollowed out so you can stick stuff in it, do it now. I do the major part of that with an electric drill and then dig it out with chisel.
Basket 5: Edges all smooth. Middle hollowed out.
Basket 6: Using strip of 1/4" graph paper to measure evenly, I'm drawing horizontal lines around basket.
Basket 7: Because basket is larger at top than bottom, vertical lines will not be perfectly straight. Use graph paper to establish even lines in one place near center.
Basket 8: Connect lines and you'll have a checkerboard pattern. Draw slanting lines on top and bottom edges (slanting in opposite directions on top and bottom)
Basket 9: Make stop cuts along horizontal lines. So they are visible in photo I am using woodburner to make stop cuts instead of knife.
Basket 10: Now for vertical cuts........Make cuts a generous 1/8" apart on each side of EVERY OTHER vertical line. Alternate lines on each row.
Basket 11: Round off each segment of upper and lower edges.
Basket 12: Clip off the sharp end of each segment on the top edge. This will make each segment roll under the one next to it. Use knife or chisel to smooth body of basket up under top edge.
Basket 13. Do same on bottom edge.
Basket 14: We want the vertical bands to stand out so chip out small amount of wood on either side of each band. Do not remove any wood from center area between vertical bands -- that needs to bulge out.
Basket 15: Now we want to tuck the vertical bands under the horizontal ones so I'm going to trim the top and bottom of each one, letting the wood in the middle bulge out.
Basket 16: Carefully go over the entire basket a couple of times, removing all fuzzies and rough spots and rounding every sharp edge. It's finished and ready to paint!! I will wood burn all the "wicker" lines, but that is not necessary for a good-looking basket.
Basket 17: Woodburned basket, gently scrubbed with a soft tooth brush. I will paint it with acrylic paint in whatever color appeals to me at the moment -- maybe Delta Ceramcoat Spice Tan or Maple Sugar Tan. Then a coat of antiquing glaze will bring out every bit of detailing.
I hope I've helped and not confused.