Waste Paper Baskets From Real Waste Paper
Introduction: Waste Paper Baskets From Real Waste Paper
Other boys grew up shooting baskets.
I grew up weaving baskets.
In the 1990's, I learned a new way of basketmaking that recycled things others would throw away - Waste Paper Baskets! An online database at the library had an article on making baskets from rolled newspaper, and that was all I needed to start on a hobby that helps the environment.
What do you need?
* Newspaper - Lots of newspaper. A good-sized basket uses about 100 sheets of newspaper.
* Glue. - I use non-toxic, clear glue sticks, rather than liquid glue. Hot glue doesn't dry flexible enough for the projects
* Scissors - Used to trim rolls during the finishing process.
OPTIONAL
* Spray Acrylic (clear) or Shellac - Used to make a finished product shiny and waterproof.
* Dowel or Skewer -An alternative method for rolling the paper.
Step 1: Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
To start, lay out a sheet of newspaper so that a long edge is toward you. (If you want to use a dowel or skewer, lay it across a corner of the paper at about a 30-degree angle.) Begin rolling. As you roll, the angle will change, and one end of the roll will become fatter than the other end.
About two inches before you reach the opposite corner from where you started, use the glue stick to coat the corner, then finish rolling. You now have a thin roll of paper that is narrower at one end.
Make another roll...and another roll...and another...and another...and another and another and anotherandanotherandanotherand..... Basically, keep rolling paper until you run out of paper to roll.
Some newspapers are better for rolling than others. My local paper used a plant-based ink that is smudge- resistant. With other newspapers, rolling a few sheets covered the hands with black ink, but the plant-based ink left a fraction of the mess.
You do not have to use newspaper. There are other options mentioned in the notes at the end of this Instructable.
Step 2: Setting It Up
I refer to the rolls of newspaper as "reeds," because that's the craft material I used when I started making baskets almost 60 years ago. For a start, I use 8 reeds, divide them into two groups of four, and lay them out as a cross, an X, or a plus (+). They will become the spokes of the basket.
Next, take two more reeds, and slide the narrow end of one a few inches into the wider end of the other, until it fits snugly. 286
This will be the method used to keep from running out of reed, creating a continuous weaving unit. Fold it in half, more or less. One end should be longer, so the joints between reeds will be staggered, not in the same places.
Step 3: Twining Instead of Weaving
If this was a regular, woven basket, you would use one of the spoke-halves as the start of your in-and-out weaving, to give you an odd number of spokes. However the rolled-paper reed isn't as solid as regular reeds, so I recommend a different method: Twining - using two weavers twisted in a spiral.
* Take the bent weaver and slide it over one section of the X-spokes.
* Fold the lower section of the weaver up and over the upper half and the next section. Fold the lower part of the weaver across the bottom, then up and over. Follow that pattern of alternate overs until you have gone around the X two times.
When you get near the end of a weaver, add another reed, If the end is a thin end, slide the thick end of the new reed over the ending reed. If the end is wider, insert the thin end of the the new reed into the wider old reed.
Step 4: Dividing the Spokes
Next, the X needs to be turned into an 8-pointed star. Instead of going across four spokes at a time, only go over two spokes before you twist. Continue twining double-spokes until you have completed at least. two rounds. After that, divide the spokes again and twine around single spokes.
Step 5: Going Up
When the base is wide enough for your basket (This demonstration basket was about 12 inches across), it's time to raise your sights and go up (unless you want a flat tray or placemat).
The easiest way to do this is to bend the spokes up. They have now, magically, become stakes. Continue the twisting of the twining stitch, going around and around the basket. At first. 636