Turn Yard Clippings Into A Charming Cottagecore Fruit Basket With An Easy DIY

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If you've ever done some much-needed trimming or pruning in your yard and felt it was a shame to throw away perfectly good wood, then you aren't alone. With some wood-based decor items — such as baskets or crates — costing upwards of $20 each, it can certainly be frustrating to chuck your garden waste straight into the trash simply because you don't know how to utilize it. Well, now you do! There's a clever way to make your own decorative and highly practical basket using just two materials, one of which you likely already have in your garden. 

By gathering some sticks from your yard, you can craft a charming basket that's perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. The only other item you'll need for this DIY basket idea is twine, or a similar kind of string such as yarn or jute. Just keep in mind that, if you plan to keep this basket outdoors, you may want to use a hardier material such as hemp or treated cotton. Alternatively, you could try out an invisible string, such as this Zebco Fishing Line from Walmart, to give your basket a thrown-together, casual look that's perfect for patios, garden sheds, and mudrooms. So, how exactly do you craft this charming fruit basket, and how can you make use of it in your own daily life?

There are a few different ways to make this basket. One common method for crafting it, which comes from TikTok user @krystvdij0e, relies on force applied to the string. First, tie both ends of two similarly sized sticks together so that you have a square with two sides composed of string. Then, cross the sticks so that the strings form an 'X' in the middle. After this, start threading the twigs under the strings, beginning with two sides and then alternating to the other two sides in that same log cabin-style construction. As you go, the string will tighten, holding the sticks in place without the need for any extra adhesive. This basket can be used to collect vegetables or display fruit on your table — it could even double as wall decor. If you do use this recycled basket indoors, you may want to give the sticks a quick wash and leave them to dry in a mudroom or garage first, just to make sure no insects hitch a ride into your home.

Another option, suggested by the STEM project subscription service KiwiCo, is a flat-bottomed version perfect for carrying large vegetables such as squash, or for use as a stunning DIY hanging planter. To make it, simply tie four sticks of similar length together to form a square. Then, add some sticks along the bottom, filling out the middle and making sure to tie each one down as you go. You can then start placing sticks, alternating between the top and bottom side and the left and right side. This will build up the sides of the basket sort of like how you would craft a log cabin. Tie the sticks as you go up, and voila! You've got a super-sturdy basket that's perfect for home and garden.