Chunky storage basket that stands up on its own
A flat base, one back-loop round to make the sides stand up, and two handles. Sturdy enough for yarn, plants or bathroom things.
By Maya Linden
|2 min read
This basket has three parts: a flat circle for the base, a single round through the back loops that turns the corner, and straight sides worked without increases. The back-loop round is what makes the sides stand up crisply instead of flaring out.
Materials
- Super bulky (#6) yarn, about 170 yd
- 8 mm (L-11) hook
- 1 stitch marker
- Large-eye yarn needle
Abbreviations
- MR: magic ring
- sc: single crochet
- inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
- BLO: back loop only
- ch: chain
- sk: skip
- sl st: slip stitch
- (...) x6: repeat the stitches in brackets 6 times
Base
The base is worked in a continuous spiral. Move your stitch marker up at the start of each round.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x6. (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x6. (30)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x6. (36)
The base should measure about 7 in (18 cm) across and lie flat. If it curls up, go up a hook size; if it ripples, go down one.
Sides
Rnd 7: Sc in the BLO of each st around. (36)
Rnds 8–16: Sc in each st around, through both loops. (36)
Handles
Rnd 17: Sc in the next 6 sts. Ch 6, sk 6 sts. Sc in the next 12 sts. Ch 6, sk 6 sts. Sc in the last 6 sts. (24 sc, 2 ch-6 spaces)
Rnd 18: Sc in each sc, and 6 sc in each ch-6 space. (36)
Rnd 19: Sl st loosely in each st around for a firm top edge.
Fasten off. Weave the tail in along the inside of the wall.
Make it bigger
Continue the base with one more increase round for each size up: Round 7 would be (sc 5, inc) x6 for 42 stitches. Then work the BLO round and as many even rounds as you want for height, and place the handles evenly across the final stitch count.
| Base rounds | Stitches | Approx. base |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 36 | 7 in (18 cm) |
| 8 | 48 | 9 in (23 cm) |
| 10 | 60 | 11 in (28 cm) |
Questions about this pattern
How do I make my crochet basket stiffer?
Use a hook one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests, or hold two strands of yarn together. Tight single crochet is what makes a basket stand on its own.
Can I make this basket with t-shirt yarn?
Yes. T-shirt yarn is usually super bulky, so it works with the same pattern. Check that your base measures about 7 in across after Round 6 and adjust the hook if needed.
Maya Linden
Pattern designer and crochet teacher
Maya has been crocheting for fifteen years and teaching beginner classes for eight. Every YarnHook pattern is stitched and tested by her before it's published.
