I’m starting off the New Year with a list of fun DIY’s that I want to share with you all over the next few weeks. I’m starting with this easy DIY rope bowl. I saw this idea on Hometalk’s Instagram last week and fell in love with it! I wanted to make one to use in my living room now that I’ve put away all the Christmas craziness.
The best part is that it’s so cheap to make! You will need a bowl from your kitchen (I used a large salad bowl), Mod Podge, and craft rope (I bought mine for $1 at Dollar Tree)
*My sized bowl used a little more than 2 packs of the rope to cover it.*

Start by covering your bowl completely in plastic wrap to protect it from the mod podge and so your rope bowl with pop off easily once it’s dry.
Using a foam brush spread a generous amount of Mod Podge onto the plastic wrap covered bowl.
Starting in the center of the bowl, attach your rope in a circular pattern. You want to cover your rope with Mod Podge as you are doing this.
Don’t worry, the Mod Podge dries clear!
Once you are done applying the rope you need to let it dry completely overnight…and go wash your sticky hands!
It’s important that you cover all the rope with the Mod Podge especially between the rope pieces because you want a strong, solid bond once your bowl has dried.
This is what your bowl will look like in the morning.
You will need to gently loosen the dried rope bowl from your actual bowl. I just ran my fingers under the edges. The inside bottom of mine has some Mod Podge that hadn’t completely dried so I just let it air dry for a few more hours.
Now comes the fun part; it’s time to decorate! I’m going to show you a few different design looks you could incorporate this piece into.
I hope you try this craft for yourself and let me know how your’s turned out. Tag me in your photos @cottage_on_bunker_hill on Instagram!
Hi! Jute Rope basket?! Is Your basket like rock solid from the mod podge?! Mine is, I believe its as solid as a rock. TIA -Anne Nye
Yes! I made this project 4 years ago and it’s solid. I’ve filled it w/ so many things over the past few years too, always somewhere in my house.
It appears more solid then other wicker baskets i buy from the store.. i wish i could see someone else’s homemade to compare.. im embarrassed to show because i feel like someone could get cut on my baskets because they are so hard
Anne, yes it’s meant to be hard because of the ModPodge technique not flexible like a wicker basket.
Also, am I supposed to see a clear film throughout the basket once mud podge dries?! :O
I have done these bowls twice now and I can’t get the jute bowl to release from the form bowl except with difficulty. What am I doing wrong?
Louise, are you covering the entire bowl with plastic wrap first? Let me know, you can email me directly cottageonbunkerhill@gmail.com.
I found after my 1st bowl a couple layers of saran wrap helped for easy removal from mold i was using.
I can’t dislodge the bowl from the jute or the jute from the bowl. Absolutely stuck. Did I use too much Modge Podge? Actually I made one and it was so hard to remove. My second one is beyond stuck. Help.
Did you cover the bowl with the plastic wrap first?
I tried this and the plastic wrap was glued onto the inside of my rope bowl. I cannot get the plastic to release. I like the whole idea and look but my first attempt is a fail and wondering what went wrong. The bowl is very soft and pliable. So far, not a fan but will try one more time.
Was the ModPodge completely dry on the outside? The rope will feel stiff when the ModPodge dries. Maybe let it air-dry a little longer. I made this 3 years ago and it held up really well…it’s on the shelf here in my office.
Try coating the bowl that you use for a mold in a light layer of cooking oil. It releases when dry