Knitting Basket Redux
A long time ago I found this knitting basket at a flea market with my ex-boyfriend. Even though the guy’s no longer in the picture, I’ve used this baby to death - which means it’s time to give her make-over!As you can see, she's starting to show her age just a little bit. Even though I don't know the full history of this basket prior to my purchasing it, I do have some sneaky (albeit unverifiable) suspicions to her origin. Given that the edges were unfinished (and prone to fraying) and that there was a single mysterious pleat from too much lining, I suspect that this basket was sewn together by someone at home, kind of like what I’m doing today.
the original knitting basket (purchased circa 2019)
Of course, how they got it under their machine is something I don’t think I’ll ever know…Getting the material off of the frame ended up being simpler than I thought (an upside to the shell of the basket being made from lightweight canvas).
Thankfully I had just enough canvas leftover from a couple of previous projects to cut new pieces for both the shell and the lining. I didn't even realize the floral print on the new fabric until I was almost done with the sewing - a happy coincident I think!
Ultimately I decided to go a different route for making the new lining. It looked like both the lining and the shell where made from two pieces cut at roughly the same measurements - but one was folded in a way to create a single large pocket. It's definitely a clever idea, but I simply didn't have enough material for my new lining to do the same. So, after stepping back and punting, I decided to basically make a separate "basket" that could fit inside the shell, wrong-sides together.
Do I regret having to hand-sew the pieces together... not really. It didn't take too much extra time, even with the tiny back-stitches I used. Am I inclined to take on the same project again? Well, that's I also wrote down my project notes: Project Notes:
An all day affair: 9 am- 11 am; with break and lunch;
then 12:30-2:30 pm, plus 40 minutes hand sewing;
Even though I've been told I should be charging more for my skill, at this moment in time I still struggle to embrace that mindset; I'm still self-taught with approximately 10+ years of experience in the realms of sewing (compared to my 20+ years of experience as a crocheter - where I am comfortable charging more by the hour).
As such, I typically keep myself at a rate of $16/hour on general sewing commissions (which is what I would categorize this project as). Not including the material cost - and that would have to be included based on what the client wants - the approximate cost for commission would fall somewhere between $70- $80 for one basket.
Essentially, under routine shopping conditions, this would have to a deeply personal commission. Given the economic straits we all find ourselves in now, I don't think many folks could justify dropping that much money on one basket refurb, unless it really meant something to them.
Refurbished knitting basket; circa 2025
Once upon a time, someone once told me that having a working knowledge-base can significantly improve any business. So in an effort to improve my own working conditions, I started keeping a working diary/log of sorts for all the projects I have on my plate. Jotting down important notes and documenting as many progress photos as possible, just helps me remember all the new things I learn on the job.
If you're interested in learning about this process in more detail, check out the (literal) pages from my daily book in my “Stitching Crew” Membership Site. It’s a new section of my website I’m building to help document my work and share and learn with fellow creatives.