A chunky crochet basket is one of the best first projects you can make. It is all single crochet, it works up in under an hour with super bulky yarn, and you end up with something useful. This one comes from Sigoni of Sigoni Macaroni, who made it for her 12 Days of Crochet Christmas series as a last minute gift.
The finished basket is about 5 3/4 inches across the base and roughly 4 inches tall.
What you need
One skein of super bulky (weight 6) yarn, an 8 mm crochet hook, scissors and a large eye tapestry needle. Sigoni uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. Bernat Blanket also works and gives a softer, plush basket.
How the basket is built
The pattern has three parts. A flat circle makes the base, growing by six stitches each round until you reach 36. One round worked in the back loops only creates a clean fold, so the sides stand up. Then plain rounds of single crochet build the walls, and a crab stitch edge finishes the rim. Every round is joined with a slip stitch and starts with a chain of one.
The stitch counts at a glance
- Round 1: 6 single crochet in a magic circle (6)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12)
- Round 3: *2 sc, 1 sc* around (18)
- Round 4: *2 sc, 1 sc in next 2* around (24)
- Round 5: *2 sc, 1 sc in next 3* around (30)
- Round 6: *2 sc, 1 sc in next 4* around (36)
- Round 7: sc in back loops only (36)
- Rounds 8 to 13: sc in both loops (36)
- Round 14: crab stitch around
Making it bigger or smaller
For a wider basket, keep increasing past round 6. Each new round adds one more plain stitch between increases, so round 7 would be *2 sc, 1 sc in next 5* for 42 stitches. Then do your back loop round. For a taller basket, add more rounds to the walls. Thinner yarn held double works too; two strands of worsted with a 6 mm hook gives a similar chunky look.
Uses and gift ideas
Fill it with wrapped candies, a candle and a mug for a quick holiday gift. Use it on a dresser for jewellery and keys, in the bathroom for cotton balls, or next to your chair for yarn scraps. A small set of three in different colours looks good on a shelf.
Washing and keeping its shape
Wool-Ease Thick and Quick is an acrylic and wool blend, so check the label before you wash. Most baskets only need a shake or a gentle hand wash. Lay it flat to dry with a bowl or a rolled towel inside so the walls dry upright. If the sides slump over time, a light mist of spray starch from the inside firms them back up.
Troubleshooting
Base curling up like a bowl? You may have skipped an increase; count each round. Base rippling like a frill? You added too many. Sides leaning outward? Your back loop round was too loose, or your tension changed when you started the walls. Crab stitch feels awkward? It takes a few tries. If it will not behave, slip stitch around the rim instead for a tidy finish.
New to the stitches? See how to make a magic ring, work a single crochet, increase and slip stitch, then weave in your ends so the basket lasts.
