I'm doin' a happy dance because it's the last Tuesday of the month. And, that means it's
Reduce, Reuse, REFASHION time. Simply put... I like to take an article of clothing, textile, accessory, etc. and show you how to turn it into something completely new. Today, I'm going to make a crochet basket using this yarn I created below.
Now, don't laugh...remember I'm a homeschooling mom to 6 kids who also happens to own her own business and blog. With that being said, forget the fact that I started this "yarn" over ten years ago. There, I said it. This "yarn" is made from old bed sheets I sourced from my home and the thrift store and torn into strips.
Originally, I had a larger pile, but with babies, remodeling, and so much more, this project fell to the wayside. I gave away a few, but hung onto these three. My original inspiration was to make a rug for my kitchen. Well, after two additional remodels, the yarn wouldn't match my decor. So, today I'm opting for a basket...a
HUGE basket.
DIY TIME
First, before you freak and say that you couldn't crochet a stitch, let me say...YES you can. If you can follow directions, hold a hook in one hand, and yarn in the other, it's worth a try. I am self-taught from a store-bought kit and love to crochet as part of what I call my stitch therapy. While it's typically my cabin fever cure, I like to crochet whenever I can. You can see my crochet stool cover
HERE.
To make your yarn for a crochet basket, simply snip hashes in the short side of your sheet fabric at intervals as wide as you want them to be. I used a 1 ½" interval. Then, tear your fabric into strips. No need to waste time cutting, just RIP IT! {{a blast!!}}
note: you can also make t-shirt yarn for this as well.
Next, you need to join your strips. You can do this before you wind it into a ball or as you go. To join, here are the steps:
- Snip ½" slits in each end of your piece of yarn.
- Insert one yarn piece into another.
- Take the opposite end of the yarn piece you inserted and put it through the opening on the same piece of yarn.
- Pull the yarn tight to make a knot.
CROCHET TIME
Obviously, you'll need a pattern. If you are familiar with crochet, you'll start your foundation chain ring and then make it as big as you want the base of your crochet basket to be.
Here's a pattern you can go by to create 3 different sizes. Since my goal is a large basket, I kind just had at it and did as I pleased using a single crochet stitch with a size 10 hook. I cannot say enough how much a blessing a stitch marker is. You want to keep track of your rounds so you don't pull your hair out. I made my own stitch markers years ago. Isn't it
cuuuute?
My base is about 16" diameter and will have a sort of ombre style going lighter as I work up.
THE REVEAL
After a few hours of stichin' fun my crochet basket is complete. woot!
Then, for added function and style, I added two leather handles from leftover scrap from my past leather projects. (our
leather bench hack, my
office chair, and
pot holder)
It's the perfect size to fit my two wool throws. I just love cozying up in those and they needed their own special spot to be tucked in too. Also, my basket was made only of single crochet stitches, but I did a reverse front post stitch along the top edge to give it more of a stance. Plus, it adds contrast to the pattern.
Can you tell I had fun? I sure hope so! While I do enjoy crochet, but also most of all inspiring you. Now, maybe, you'll think twice about tossing those damaged bed sheets, eh?
In addition to leaving some comment love below, do pin and share to inspire others too.
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Also, more refashion fun like my crochet bowl:
