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Home » Tips for Making Coiled Rope Baskets

Tips for Making Coiled Rope Baskets

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Rope baskets can be a great diy project. Here are a few tips to get you started. ok, we (as in I) have fallen in love with rope basket making. There is something fulfilling about making some thing simple, yet beautiful and useful.

However, you know you’ve crossed a line when you “demand” that the kids take the new harvest basket out to collect eggs instead of the plastic pail they’ve been using. And you get your feelings hurt when your husband doesn’t understand why it’s such a big deal. 

Not that this happened to me. I’m just saying that if it happens at your house, you’ll know you’ve crossed a line. 😉

Let me introduce you to the object of all this fuss…The Harvest Basket. 

SP - Rope Harvest Basket leather handles set of 2They say the best ideas come to you in the shower, and well, this one literally did. I could not stop thinking about how to make a basket with one handle that wouldn’t tip over while being carried. And then it hit me, make two handles and put them together with leather. I had no clue how to do that but I do have a house full of Boy Scouts so surely someone would know to wrap the handle. 

So for the last week, I’ve been pulling out my machine to practice making all kinds of different baskets, but the harvest basket is my favorite. I’ve made so many that I’ve been giving to my gardening friends and still have a desire to make more.

rope tote

I’ve found multiple uses for rope baskets and burlap and canvas baskets in my home. I use them in the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, even the bathroom to hold hand towels. These are so much cheaper to make than buying a basket or storage container from the store and are great for gathering those little piles of things that tend to gather that no one really knows what to do with but we can’t get rid of.

How to make cotton rope baskets

I really appreciated this video and it’s well worth the small price or you can sign up for a free 14 day account. That was my first step and that’s what I would recommend you do if you are new to rope basket making. 

Here are some other tips to help you out. 

1. Remember this is supposed to be fun. It will take a little time to get your hand placement just right for you to make the basket you want. Some of my beginning baskets have waves in them. It’s ok. 

2. If you are making an oval, make sure to keep the ends tight. Each time you go around the curve is an opportunity for the rope to loosen a little. My first oval looked like a dog bone by the time I was done with the foundation. 

3. Practice with natural colored thread. Don’t worry, you’ll still see your mistakes. They just won’t be as visible to everyone else. 

4. Go slow and pay attention. After doing a couple of baskets really good, I got too sure of myself and the next few had gaps and were uneven because I was going too fast. Don’t let the simplicity fool you. 

Edited to add:: if you are having trouble finding rope, this is the one I use. The main thing for the rope is that you don’t want the core to be synthetic. The needle will get hot while you sew and melt the plastic.

 

Comments

      • I have been trying to find 1/4″ coil core in Canada…. do you know of anyone. I find only 2 places in US but the dollar and delivery make it too expensive for me….
        thanks
        judi
        Gabriola Island
        B.C.

        Reply

        • Hi Judi, the rope I use is Secure Line (product number CCL6100-4W) it’s distributed by a Canadian company, Atlas Rope (http://www.atlasropes.com/). I have to order by the case but there are only 4 – 100ft spools per case and they don’t charge me shipping. You might try calling them, their number is on their website. Hope that helps.

          Reply

  2. These are beautiful! I love the colors, and the way you did the handles!! I’ve got to try making a few of these – I’ll add it to my ever growing list of crafts LOL.

    Reply

    • I’m confused by your comment Tammy. Are you referring to the video ($5) that I linked to because all the information I share on my blog is FREE. I guess I could have spent my time doing my own video and sharing it but I can guarantee you it wouldn’t be as good. I’m sure you can do a google search and find a video, the one I linked to just happens to be the one I watched, so that would be the one I shared.

      Reply

          • I don’t understand. I just looked and I can watch the $5 video for free if I sign up for the 10 day free trial on Creative Bug. Why would anyone complain that you linked to a paid service, when they can watch for free signing up for the trial period. It seems like a really awesome service, too.

            Thanks for the referral. I didn’t know about Creative Bug and it looks as awesome as Craftsy. I can see many hours being taken up with searching their site for more inspiration.

            And your baskets are amazing. My pine needle baskets take days to make, literally days. I didn’t know you could make a basket in just an hour. I’m definitely going to try this.

            I also love your daughter’s purse. This would make a super nice market bag for the farmer’s market, too.

          • I missed that Chris, thanks for pointing that out. I’m really liking Creative Bug and yeah, it’s a lot like Craftsy. Do you have photos of your baskets on your site? I’d love to see them.

    • Sometimes we need to sit back and think a moment about how much time and energy goes into creative art….which would include making a video “how to” as well as the result of the creation. Creative people need to eat too. $5 for their time and effort is very little to pay for a craft that may end up giving countless hours of joy as well as possible income if you decide to sell your finished project. Free is wonderful, I agree. It’s just not always practical.

      Reply

      • Being a Longarm Quilter, I agree with Pam about creative people needing to be paid for their time and effort. Most people don’t mind paying for quality information/instruction.

        I love your bags and hope to make some at a sister’s weekend coming up.

        Bonnie Corson

        Reply

        • Thanks, I hope you have fun at your sister’s weekend. Sounds like fun! Your quilting is beautiful! I have a couple of quilt tops that I started before I had my youngest child and just haven’t found time to finish them.

          Reply

    • This technique is ancient, just not all using a machine. You can find this technique in library books, podcasts and YouTube videos.

      Reply

  6. Your last post gave me the bug so I’ve watched the video and am setting aside money to buy some rope. I’m so excited. They look so lovely and functional. My grandmother gave me the basket bug. My kids gave me baskets of various sized last year for Christmas. I just might have to buy one from your Etsy shop so I’ll have a “guide” 🙂 Thanks so much for such a wonderful craft – I’m not crafty At All, but I do like to sew a little and I think I can do this.

    Reply

  8. Your baskets are super cute and whimsical. Do you have a favorite place you like to purchase your rope from? What size do you like to work with. They look like a fun project!

    Reply

  9. I too love your baskets Angi, & when I looked on Amazon for the cotton clothesline I saw some in nylon by Tourwin, 10 metres for £1.90, I was thinking this would be ideal for outdoor baskets as it would be machine washable, & would pretty up potted plants, or could be lined & planted up with bulbs etc., can nylon be used, or is it difficult to sew through? I’m really looking forward to trying this, I hope your obsession becomes mine too, I think it will 🙂

    Reply

    • I hope it becomes your obsession too, the world cannot have to many rope baskets. Nylon is going to be tough. I bought some cotton rope that has a synthetic core and it caused my machine to skip stitches. The needle would get hot and melt the core and then I had goop on the needle. I’m not sure what the exchange rate is so I don’t know how much that is, but if it’s not too expensive you might want to try it. If it doesn’t work you’ll have some nylon rope for something else. If you make some baskets be sure to share a photo with me.

      Reply

  10. I plan to make some coiled bowls for my family for Christmas this year. How do you secure the extra little coil on the outside of the basket? I assume you made this at the end of your line to finish it off. It looks so good but I’m trying to figure out if you had to hand sew it on or did you use hot glue? Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Hi, I love your baskets. I went to Walmart and got Workchoice Diamond Braid Clothesline. When I got home I noticed a warning on the label saying that this product contains materials that cause cancer and birth defects. Do you have any idea what this means? Wondering if there is something that is on the surface and I shouldn’t handle it much. Have you seen this before?

    Reply

  12. Dear Angie,

    Does the clothesline wrap from Amazon actually a silver color other than a natural one. You posted this link. You also mentioned a red tag better than green with sewing.
    http://amzn.to/1SxRioB
    I can’t find it at Walmart. Seems Amazon is my best bet…

    Reply

    • Hi Kathy,
      The item number in the link you mentioned is the same item number I use. Our Walmart no longer carries this brand either so maybe they all stopped carrying it. I’ll update the article.
      Thanks!

      Reply

  13. Why is my bowl floppy and woundn’t sew inward at top. I followed Nicole. Creative bug.

    Reply

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