(re-post)
(This is a post from several years ago. The basket now holds library books, as in the last photo. I continue to explore different fibre to make more of these receptacles – fibre that is gentler on lungs and hands and skin.)
There's something satisfying about working with rope, in this case jute; it certainly is Slow crochet (in the sense of increased awareness of the process)and slow crochet (you crochet slowly); it produces something natural looking and natural feeling; it fits harmoniously with whatever surroundings you put it – indoors or outdoors.
Be aware that working with rough fibre may irritate the skin and it is 'dusty' work so I do it outdoors and 'work' (actually, since I am 'playing with fibre' I guess I 'play') the setting, the experience into the object. In this case the basket was 'played' into form on the deck one afternoon, continued at the Monday Knitting at Koffi (Haultain and Belmont, 2-4 p.m.), finished later that afternoon just as the sun was setting in the garden. It has been enhanced by the nature (human and otherwise) who were around me, with me, when I was making it, their presence, the conversations, the laughter, the comments…. I think this is an important part of creative expression and not one that is greatly acknowledged.
The material is, as I said, jute and the crochet hook does not have a size on it but you can see how big it is in the picture. I experimented with different sizes until I got one that could handle the jute but still give a tight enough weave. It is a basic pattern: Ch 4. Join in circle. Round 1 and round 2 – 2 sc in each stitch around (32 sts). Don't try to join each round – not worth the effort – just keep crocheting but mark the beginning of each round so you will know where you are if the phone rings or a hummingbird comes to the feeder…. Round 4 – sc in each stitch (32 sts) Round 5 Inc quarterly : every 8th st do 2 sc in that stitch (36 sts) Round 6 Sc in each stitch (36 sts) Round 7 Inc in each fourth stitch (2 sc in that stitch) (44 sts) Round 8 Sc in each stitch (44 sts). Continue in this way until the size is what you want for the bottom of the basket. I wrote down where I was in the picture but now I can't find the piece of Sunday's comics on which I wrote it; I think it was round 9 and I had 56 sts. The intent is to keep going around until the size is right increasing now and then to keep the work flat. Now stop increasing and just single crochet in each stitch around and around until the sides are as high as you want. I tend to do a few rounds at a time - this saves wear and tear on the wrists.
Here it is finished. The handles are two rows of single crochet on either side done with the same jute but a smaller hook.
It is meant to hold WIP's so that I can see them and have them easily accessible – but I had to see if it would also serve as a fruit basket.