On Pause... and Basket-Weaving

That's as far as I got with the new snowflake (not much further than where I was before).  I've sadly had to put everything on hold for a while, hoping that my arm will sort itself out eventually.  Very frustrating.  

I tried a different centre for that one but I still wanted to test more shapes and really need to be able to tat before I can complete this pattern.  *sad face*

In the meantime, I try to work on other things, staying away from small repetitive movements (not easy!!).  I had another play with newspaper weaving; tried dying the paper tubes with beetroot (accent on small round basket) and then with diluted paint.  I found that I can get white tubes when using the edges of the newspaper pages which can be left white or dyed (not enjoying the dying part very much so far but there are other methods to test).

I put a box or other container inside to help shape the sides of the baskets.

I started on another square basket with a woven bottom (the one above has a cardboard bottom). To keep everything straight, I start with the tubes taped down on my working mat (as per this video, if you're interested).  I'm a long way from the professional looking baskets I've seen made with newspapers but I'm learning!

You need lots of newspaper tubes to make baskets because

unlike willow or other natural material, the tubes are relatively short.

But it's a good use of something that would just go to waste

so I like that aspect of it very much.

I regularly use one of the first newspaper baskets I made the summer before last.

(click on link to see more about that one)

Best wishes,

Frivole