Basket

I am attempting to widen my horizons with some craft kits for stuff I haven't tried before.  This kit (and the instructions which are an online video) is to make a small basket.  When I unpacked the stuff from the box, there was lots of the rope, and it was clear that the instructions were for a very small basket which would be "neither use nor ornament" as my mum used to say.  

So I started off according to their video instructions, but then decided to widen the base before turning the side up.  I note that I haven't managed to make the sides of my basket go straight up, but they are sloping out.  Once I had used up the green wool provided in the kit I went back to using the green embroidery thread provided, but it became clear that there would still be a lot of rope left when I used up the embroidery thread.  So I investigated my stash of wool, and found some cream tapestry wool in long lengths that would work for wrapping the rope, and have added a layer and a half so far.  I think the final piece will have a total of three layers of cream, then another full round of the embroidery thread to finish off.

I also found that they used a lolly stick to push the wool through to bind the layers together.  And I found an online video where the solution to this problem was an unravelled paperclip.  I realised that the most elegant and neatest way of pulling the wool through to fasten the rounds together is to use a rug hooking implement.

I'm not sure what we will do with the basket once it is finished, but it has been fun trying something new.