Rattle Snake Rattle Basket

Rattle Snake Rattle Basket by Colette Smith

What Is Being Made

The Rattle Snake Rattle Basket is a decorative storage container designed as part of Colette Smith's "Noisy Knitting" series. This functional art piece combines knitting with craft materials to create a whimsical basket inspired by Southwest Native American ceramic pottery aesthetics. The basket features a snake-themed design complete with a rattle mechanism, making it both visually striking and interactive.

Design Inspiration and Purpose

Designer Colette Smith created this pattern after searching unsuccessfully for a home décor basket that matched her desired color palette and style. Drawing inspiration from her collection of beautiful Southwest Native American ceramic pots, she designed a handmade alternative that could hold odds and ends in a family room setting. The basket represents a creative solution to finding décor that meets specific aesthetic requirements.

Core Construction Technique

Rather than knitting an entire basket from I-cord, which would be time-intensive, this pattern uses cotton piping as the basket's core structure. This approach significantly speeds up the knitting process while maintaining the basket's structural integrity. The cotton piping is dyed using Kool-aid to soften its bright white color, with detailed dyeing instructions included in the pattern. This creative use of non-traditional materials demonstrates efficient pattern design for functional knitwear.

Rattle Mechanism

The distinctive rattle feature is created by knitting covers for craft store jingle bells. These covered bells are incorporated into the basket design, producing sound when the basket is moved or handled. This interactive element adds sensory appeal to the decorative container and ties into the "Noisy Knitting" series concept.

Snake Head and Tail

The basket's snake design includes a head and tail that are straightforward to construct. The pattern includes a photograph of the head before assembly, providing clear visual guidance for this component of the project.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern works with sport weight and variegated sock weight yarns, allowing crafters to use stash yarn for the project. The combination of these yarn weights and variegated colorways creates a range of colors throughout the finished basket. A curved upholstery needle is recommended as the best tool for assembling the various components of the basket.

Stitches and Techniques

• Knitting with sport weight yarn
• Knitting with sock weight yarn
• Working with variegated yarns for color variation
• Kool-aid dyeing of cotton piping
• Covering craft materials (jingle bells) with knitted fabric
• Assembly using curved upholstery needle

Pattern Details

This is Pattern #401 by Colette Smith, the second piece in the "Noisy Knitting" series. The pattern is presented in downloadable PDF format, making it accessible for knitters seeking to create their own functional and decorative containers. The design demonstrates how combining traditional knitting techniques with unconventional materials and craft supplies can produce unique, personalized home décor items.