Plastic Bottle Gift Basket With Plastic Bag Yarn!

I have to say, this is truly a fabulous craft, whether you use plastic bag yarn, or regular yarn, with results that are perfect for Purim gift giving or anytime. I think I need to make some! I am reposting this from a few good years back, enjoy!

I am so excited to share with you this recycled craft that is made entirely of recycled materials, with the exception of hot glue! Let me introduce a fun craft project for all ages: woven plastic bottle baskets using plastic bags. These little baskets are perfect for Purim or any of your spring celebrations, and so much fun to make! I used 1.5 liter soda bottles as that is what we have on hand, but certainly one can make much larger baskets using much larger bottles. So gather up those plastic bags, and those recycled bottles and lets get started! Oh, and just by the way, I also made some 'grass" by cutting up plastic bags into tiny pieces!

 You'll Need:

• recycled soda bottles, those that contain selzter or water are of course preferable
• light weight plastic grocery bags
• a tutorial for how to make plarn, "plastic bag yarn", optional
• a tutorial for how to make four strand plastic bag braids
• a hot glue gun
• masking tape if you're a stickler for perfection (optional)

How To:

1. Make yarn from your plastic bags (as seen above), or for this craft, one can use strips of plastic bag which should be made by cutting the plastic bag into one long spiral strip.
2. Cut lower half of bottle to height desired. My bottles were tapered, so I didn't have much choice as to their height.
3. Cut vertical slits around the perimeter resulting in an odd number of strands. My bottles have 15 strands.
4. If you want perfection, put a piece of masking tape around the bottle and measure evenly making marks on the masking tape to use as cutting guides.
5. Start weaving the plastic bags over and under, around the bottle, packing down the rows as you go. Bring any tails to the inside of the bottle.
6. When you reach the top, the plastic bag will start to slide off the top, so it should be secured with hot glue.
7. Make four stranded braids from plastic bags to use as a handle and trim for the top of the bottle.
8. Using hot glue, affix trim and handle, and voila a sweet basket is born!

Now how is that for a fun recycled craft? Take a look at all the other fun recycled plastic bag crafts I've got up my sleeve for starters, and maybe after that have a look at my recycled soda bottle crafts.