True to my personality, I have been distracted and I just couldn’t help but want to try a recycled newspaper project that I pinned on my DIY/Crafts Pinterest Board a while ago.
Above is the finished project from the tutorial I pinned it from, my attempt to create something similar needs a bit more work however, I was happy with how my first attempt turned out.
The great thing about this project is that it uses the resources that most people have in their home and doesn’t need to cost much at all.
Supplies; Newspapers, glue stick, kebab stick, scissors, clothes pegs and paint (optional)
First of all you need to cut up strips of newspaper, approximately 7cm wide, the amount you need will depend on the size of the basket you wish to weave.
I used a kebab stick to help with rolling the paper up to get it as tight as possible and making sure one end was larger to make it easier to join the pieces together when you weave. I used the glue stick to glue the paper down once it was rolled.
The tutorial I used was visual with very few instructions so I just made it how I saw it, so some people may do it differently to my technique.
To start with I rolled 14 pieces and joined them by slotting one end into the other using glue stick to make sure they were joined securely. I then laid 3 vertically and 4 horizontally, using half of the fourth one to weave over three and then under three a few times to get a more flat base.
After getting the right size base, I then continue weaving in and out as you can see in the pictures.
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I used the clothes pegs to keep it all in place and make it as tight as possible.
The final part of the weaving was cutting the vertical pieces about an inch above the final weave and then tucking them into the weave in the direction that they are facing, if that makes sense (see photo below for better understanding). I used the glue stick to make it more secure and then I put clothes pegs on each one and left it overnight to ensure it was secure.
The final part of the project was to paint the basket. There is two ways of doing this, you can paint each piece of newspaper before you start or you could do what I did, and spray paint it all at the end.
I am happy with how my first attempt turned out and like anything that you first try, you learn from it and if I was to do this project again, I would think about the shape I want my basket to be and perhaps make a tighter weave. All in all, it was a fun project to do whilst watching Wimbledon and Glastonbury!
Do you have a favourite recycling or upcycling project, I would love to hear about it, I am keen to recycle/upcycle as much as possible and I am inspired by the creativity that some people achieve when they recycle or upcycle. Please link in the comments, I am keen to be inspired!
theoriginalthread 
What a lovely project, you did a great job 🙂
Thank you, it was fun to do! 🙂
Hi there. Last school holidays my daughter and I crocheted baskets. Holidays start on Friday and I am excited to try your newspaper baskets. Thanks for the inspiration. Niccola
Thank you so much for your comment. Wow crocheted baskets sounds fabulous, I have never crocheted before, how hard was it to do? I hope you and your daughter enjoy doing this project, it’s a fun project to do together. 🙂
Thank you for pointing out that you need an odd amount of rods to weave around! I had been stuck on what I was doing wrong for a few days after finding another newspaper weaving project. Here is something you may want to try, this is next on my weaving list! (the other vases, not the magazine rack, I’m not that experienced yet 😉 )- http://www.instructables.com/id/Newspaper-Weave-2-Rack-Rustic-Basket-Pencil-Ho/
Gotta do something while I’m out of work with an injury otherwise I will go nuts!
Glad I could be of some help! Wow, that magazine rack looks amazing, I think I could just about manage the pencil holder. I am thinking of doing some woven baskets to put shoes in, might be ambitious! I do hope you get better soon, it’s good that you can do some craft to keep busy. Thanks for your comment, do you have a picture of your work? Best regards, Melanie
wiklina papierowa pobija chyba wszystkie dekoracje 🙂 mnóstwo możliwości wyplatania, zastosowania i dekorowania 🙂 super i zapraszam również do siebie na http://www.cichyduszek.blogspot.com 🙂 pozdrawiam serdecznie
Thanks for your comment, I had to translate it and I hope this is the correct translation;
wicker paper beats all the decorations 🙂 I think a lot of possibilities weaving, use and decorate 🙂 awesome and also invite each other to http://www.cichyduszek.blogspot.com 🙂 yours sincerely
Bravo! Nice work! You did really well! Here are a few more ideas for inspiration: http://ggsis.wordpress.com/gallery/
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Cheers!
Thank you for the lovely comment. Love your work, very inspiring indeed. 🙂
Thank you too! 🙂
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i am so going to try this. thanks! 😀
All the best and link back a photo of yours, would love to see it. 🙂
will do 🙂