Slam Dunk Planter

Thanks to my brother-in-law for donating the basketball for this upcycle! It brings back great memories of the historic Raptors championship a few years back (the first time a Canadian team won)!

The one piece of indispensable ‘equipment’, at least for me, is the metal ring you see below. That’s because it helps keep the ball steady as I cut. Any metal ring will work as long as it sits flat. Try a wok ring or a stove burner ring.

You’ll also need a craft knife, cut resistant glove, file folder (or piece of cardboard), pencil, marker, ruler and a planter with a lip on it. The lip on the plastic pot is important because it covers up the rough edges of the hole.

No sooner did we finish this project, when we found another basketball on garbage day! Whether you find your basketball at the curb, or grab one from your kids who no longer aspire to play, give the ball a good cleaning.

A template ensures you’ll have a perfect fit after the ball is cut. Turn the planter upside down onto the file folder and trace around the perimeter.

Measure in from the rim to the inside edge. My measurement is 1/4″. Draw a line that’s 1/4″ (or your measurement) inside the first.

Cut on the inside line.

Then test the fit of the planter in the hole you just cut. It should be loose enough to slide in, but the lip should cover up the hole.

Cutting the Ball

At this point, you can either use the cardboard template to draw your circle, or set a protractor to the proper circumference and use that to draw instead.

I chose to centre the cardboard template and trace around the circle with a marker.

Ensure you have a new sharp blade in the craft knife. Insert the pointy tip of the craft knife at the starting point. You’ll hear the air slowly hiss as it escapes.

Cut on the outside of the line you drew, so the hole doesn’t shrink on you and become too tight. As you move forward, you’ll be able to lift a flap, as shown below, to help with the tension as you cut. Wear a cut resistant glove if you’re worried about slipping.

The plastic planter should sit flush against the ball as shown.

How to Display Your Outdoor Planter

I wanted this planter to be as ‘authentic’ as possible. So I found a second hand hoop that hangs over a door. Because of the flexibility to hang it anywhere, the mini hoop looks stunning outside in the garden!

For more tips, tricks and pics – like other options for displaying your basketball planter – visit us at the link below (where you see our logo)

Crochet for a Cure

We’ve just launched a pattern shop, where we’re donating 100% of our proceeds to Alzheimer’s. You’ll find patterns, like our signature Kayla Pillow, Air Planter Pods and Tooth Fairy Pillow (shown below), available to purchase as a donation to our Alzheimer’s fundraiser.

Come visit us to purchase a pattern; with 100% going to charity, it’s a win-win!

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