Tips for knitting your basket

I've put together some more detailed instructions for the three main techniques that you will need when it comes to knitting your basket. 

Provisional cast on method

If you are unsure how to provisionally cast on, this is the method I use:

Before beginning casting on, chain 15 with the crochet hook using the length of scrap yarn provided. (I choose to chain more stitches than needed to give some leeway)

Then using your working yarn, you can start to provisionally cast on 11 sts. Do this by picking up your working yarn through the bumps on the wrong side of the chain you have just created. Slip your needle under the bump on the wrong side of the chain and then (leaving a 15cm tail to use later on for the sewing up process) loop your working yarn around your knitting needle and pull the knitting needle through to create your first loop. Repeat this 10 more times until you have 11sts on your needle. 

A very helpful YouTube video here may help!

Wrap + Turn

If you're finding this part tricky, this YouTube video here will help!

Kitchener stitch technique for garter stitch

Step 1: Thread the sewing up needle with the 15cm tail of yarn you left at the beginning of your knitting. Hold the needles with the live stitches parallel in your left hand. Insert the sewing up needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to PURL. Pull the yarn through, leave the stitch on the front needle.

Step 2: Insert the sewing up needle through the first loop on the back needle as if to PURL. Pull the yarn through, leave the stitch on the back needle.

Step 3: Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, removing the stitch from the front needle.

Step 4: Insert the sewing up needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the front needle.

Step 5: Insert the sewing up needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, removing the stitch on the back needle.

Step 6: Insert the sewing up needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the back needle.

Repeat steps 3-6 until you have run out of stitches to sew up. 

Thread through and slip off any remaining stitches with your sewing up needle, pull tight. Thread this through the middle hole of the basket and onto the inside of your basket. You can then weave in the loose end here to hide it. 

Again a helpful YouTube video can be found here.

If you still need some extra help or have any questions you can email me at jess@jessicaleedesign.com and I'll be happy to help. Happy knitting!