Got old newspapers or magazines piling up? Don’t recycle them—upcycle them into a charming, sturdy paper basket! This is one of my favorite “best out of waste” projects because it’s so practical. I made a set of these for storing yarn, and they’re both functional and decorative.
Let’s Weave a Basket:
Make the Paper “Yarn”: Tightly roll sheets of newspaper diagonally around a skewer, gluing the end to secure. You’ll need about 30-40 of these rolls.
Form the Base: Weave 5 rolls horizontally and 5 vertically in a tight check pattern. Glue the ends to secure.
Build the Sides: Bend the vertical strips upward. Now, take a new paper roll and start weaving it horizontally around the base, circling around and gluing as you go.
Finish & Seal: Once you’ve reached your desired height, fold the vertical strips over the top rim and glue them down inside. Finally, seal the entire basket with a layer of white glue mixed with a little water; this makes it surprisingly strong. You can leave it natural or paint it!
It’s a fantastic way to reduce waste and create custom storage solutions.
Tired of just recycling your old newspapers? Turn them into something beautiful and useful instead! I remember making my first newspaper basket with my niece on a rainy afternoon; we were both amazed that a pile of old news could transform into such a sturdy, charming container. It’s now her favorite place to keep her art supplies. Trust me, if we can do it, you absolutely can too.
This project is a fantastic example of “upcycling” – a huge trend in 2024, with Pinterest reporting a 50% increase in saves for “upcycled home decor” ideas last year. It’s eco-friendly, incredibly cheap, and surprisingly durable.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating your own woven masterpiece:
What You’ll Need:
Newspapers (obviously!)
A glue gun or strong craft glue (PVA white glue works but takes longer to dry)
A long, thin knitting needle or skewer
Scissors
Clothespins (optional, but super helpful)
Acrylic paint & brush (if you want to add color)
The Process:
Make Your “Yarn” (Rolling the Tubes):
Lay a full newspaper sheet flat. Cut it in half horizontally.
Place your knitting needle at one corner and start rolling the paper diagonally, keeping it as tight as possible.
When you reach the end, put a dab of glue on the corner to secure the tube. Carefully slide the needle out. Repeat until you have 20-30 tubes.
Create the Base:
Flatten 8-10 tubes. Arrange 4 or 5 of them side-by-side vertically.
Weave another 4 or 5 flattened tubes through them horizontally, creating a tight square base. Glue the ends down securely.
Build the Sides:
This is the fun part! Take a new tube and glue it to the base’s edge. Now, start weaving it over and under the vertical tubes (called “stakes”) sticking up from your base.
When you run out of a tube, simply glue a new one into the end and keep weaving.
Use clothespins to hold the weave in place as you work your way around.
Finish the Rim:
Once you’ve reached your desired height, fold the top stakes down and tuck them into the row below. Secure everything with a dab of glue for a clean, finished edge.
