Another Basket

I'm a packrat.  My husband and sons will readily attest to that.  It annoys them, but sometimes it pays off.  I have been saving a Victorian calendar forever (I think it was from 1984) because the pictures are so pretty I just couldn't bear to throw it away.  As I was trying to decide what to use for my next basket, it occurred to me that the pictures on that calendar would be perfect.

Here's how it turned out.

 

 

Since calendar pages aren't nearly as stiff as cards, I cut a center layer from heavy card stock to make the pieces sturdy enough.

Craft Recipe:

• Basket Pattern
• Calendar or patterned paper
• Heavy card stock
• Crochet cotton
• Size 5 crochet hook
• Size 9 crochet hook (for shell border around lid)
• Hole punch

For the basket top, the bottom and each basket side, cut two pieces from the calendar/patterned paper and one piece from heavy card stock. You will end up with six hexagons (4 patterned and two from card stock) and 18 side pieces (12 patterned and six from card stock).

Mark and punch holes using the template for 1/8" holes.

Single crochet or blanket stitch around each piece (for crochet instructions see pattern).  Stitch or crochet the bottom of each side to a side of the hexagon shaped basket bottom.

Stitch or crochet the basket sides together. Single crochet around the top of the basket.

Basket lid:  Using a size 5 crochet hook, Single crochet four rows around the basket lid.  In each row, make two single crochets, one chain and two more single crochets in each corner.

The trim is just a simple shell border.  I stitched it with a size 9 crochet hook.  I'd write the instructions if I knew how. It's easier for me to draw, so here's a diagram: