A home for fruit in 30 minutes or less

I went bananas while grocery shopping yesterday. Literally. Can my husband and I eat twelve bananas in a week? Well, we sure can try!

That evening, my hubby surprised me with another six or so bananas… leftover from a work shindig. Yikes! The new mound of fruit pouring out of the giant clay bowl on the dinner table (partnered with apples, a tomato, and a sneaky little booger of a clementine that’s been hiding out for weeks) made the minimalist in me think of an alternative to the ubiquitous fruit bowl. A hanging fruit basket! I must make one!

After the let-down of Pinterest and its $60 Etsy “repurposed” baskets (though very cute), I set out to find something in the house that could suffice as a basket, or at least three circles, made out of wire or wood, that I could attach cloth to.

Nosing my way into the garage, I found a solution! Tomato cages. Three circles on each one, held together by three metal rods. Which, when turned upside down… has a silhouette of a potentially fantastic hanging fruit basket.

Behold: A sew-free, no hassle, 30 minute project using items you probably already have.
Materials:

old t-shirt (the stretchier, the better)
1 tomato cage
scissors
yarn/heavy string
jazz music (optional, but recommended)

1. Take the three legs off of the tomato cage by bending them multiple directions until they snap. (“Legally Blonde” reference, anyone?)

2. Spread out an old shirt; alternatively, you can use 3 bandanas, large knitted squares, or your roommate’s favorite blouse. (Just kidding on the last one.)

3. Place the cage on the fabric, then cut the fabric to make a large square.

4. Continue cutting your fabric (since I used a t-shirt, I just cut the sides to create 2 squares). Slicing the carpet with metal blades is always a no-no. Don’t be tempted.

5. After cutting off any excess bulky hems/tags, take one of the squares and tie a knot inside of the cage using diagonal corners. Keep in mind how much the fabric will stretch when your fruit is sitting inside (I tied my shirt pretty tightly).

6. Knot the other corners. If the fabric gives you a hard time or the metal circle is showing, use a safety pin to fasten miscellaneous fabric together.

7. Repeat with circle #2.

8. Remember the top of your t-shirt? Flip to the back and cut as big of a square as you can manage.

10. Knot the diagonals on top. You’re almost done!

11. Cut 3 pieces of yarn/jute/cord/chain to desired length. After deciding where to hang the basket, cut a longer strand as well.

12. Create a teepee out of your strands and knot together, making sure the knot is directly in the center and not lopsided (unless you want a gangsta fruit basket, yo!) I ended up cutting my yarn even shorter, as my basket is close to a ceiling.