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A rope-handled wooden tote from a single $5 cedar fence picket — five cuts, a handful of brads, done in an hour. The gift that carries the gift.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front and back Trace and jigsaw a curve along the top edge — stack-cut both so they match. | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 10" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Ends Long point to long point, both ends cut at 5° off square, NOT parallel — the ends taper so the sides splay. | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 5 1/2" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Bottom Cut to fit the assembled sides — measure yours. | 1 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 10" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72" (Cedar) One picket does the whole tote with material to spare. | 1 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4", 18 ga | 40 each | ☐ |
| Rope, 3/8" Sisal or manila reads best against cedar. Knot the ends inside. | 3 linear ft | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 2 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set, Miter Saw, Pencil. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72"
Set the miter saw to 5° and cut the two end pieces — both ends angled, NOT parallel, so each piece is a slight trapezoid measured long point to long point. Cut two identical.
While the saw's out, drill the rope hole near the top of each end piece, centered, sized to your rope.
Tools: Jigsaw, Pencil, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72"
Trace a gentle curve along the top edge of the front piece — a paint can or dinner plate gives a fair arc. Stack the front and back together and cut both at once with the jigsaw so they match exactly.
Sand the curves and both faces of every piece now, while everything is flat and reachable.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 1-1/4", 18 ga, Wood glue
Glue and brad the front and back to the tapered ends — the taper makes the sides lean out slightly, which is the look. Keep the bottom edges flush.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Tape Measure. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 1-1/4", 18 ga, Rope, 3/8", Wood glue
Measure the actual opening, cut the bottom to fit, and glue and nail it to the sides and ends.
Thread the rope through the end holes and knot it inside each end. Set the handle length so a hand fits comfortably under the rope with the tote loaded — test with the wine bottle you're probably giving.