Pattern: Hair Toy Basket

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General information

This is the fourth and last practice pattern of the course “Learn to Crochet Simple Style”.  In this pattern you can make a lovely basket, lined and all, for little bits and bobs you want to store.

Skill level

Beginner

Abbreviations

Ch: chain

Sl st: slip stitch

Sc: single crochet

Dc: double crochet

Blo: back loop only

Notes

With this pattern you can make the basket and I will give you a basic explanation on how to add lining. On my blog you can find detailed instructions on how to line crocheted/knitted items with fabric. Ofcourse it is not mandatory to line the basket with fabric (I used fusible webbing to make it more stiff), but otherwise it will not stand up on its own. If you want to make it stand up without fabric, you will probably have to stiffen it with starch.

I changed colours every row, but not on the first row without increases and chose the same colour for the last round before making the handles (see pictures).

Finished measurement

Bottom:  6.3 “ x 6.3” 

Height: 6.5 inches

Gauge:  8 rows and 14 dc is 4”x 4”

Materials

Rowan Handknit Cotton in a variety of colours, or any other DK/light worsted weight yarn

Crochet hook size 4.0 mm

Cotton fabric

Fusible webbing (Vlieseline 630, this is a webbing that adds a bit of loft and can be ironed onto the fabric)

Needle and thread

Pattern

Do not turn work at the end of the round. Choose different colours for each round.

Ch3, sl st to close.

Round 1: Ch3, dc eleven times into ring (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch3, dc into same st, dc twice into each st, sl st to top ch of ch3 (24 dc)

Round 3: Ch3, dc into next two dc, *dc 5 times into next dc, dc in next five st* , repeat between ** two more times,  dc 5 times into next st, dc into last two dc, sl st to top ch of ch3 (40 dc)

Round 4: Ch3, dc into next four dc, *dc 5 times into middle dc of dc5 group of previous round, dc into next nine dc*, repeat between ** two more times,  dc 5 times into middle dc of dc5 group of previous round, dc into last four dc, sl st to top ch of ch3 (56 dc)

Round 5: Ch3, dc once into next six dc, * dc 5 times into next dc, dc once into next 13 dc*, repeat between ** two more times, dc 5 times into middle dc of dc5 group, dc once into last six dc, sl st to top ch of ch3 (72 dc)

Round 6: Ch3, dc once into next eight dc, * dc 5 times into next dc, dc once into next 17 dc*, repeat between ** two more times, dc 5 times into middle dc of dc5 group, dc once into last eight dc, sl st to top ch of ch3 (88 dc)

If you want to alter the size of the bottom of the bag, just keep increasing like round 3-6 describe, making 5 dc into the middle stitch of dc5 groups of previous rounds. You will increase each round with 16 stitches.

Round 7: Ch3, dc into blo of each dc, sl st to top ch of ch3 (88 dc)

Round 8: Ch3, dc into each dc, sl st to top ch of ch3 (88 dc)

Repeat round 8 eleven more times, changing colour for each round (round 9-19)

If you want to alter the height of the bag, just add rounds as described in round 8. As a rule of thumb for a boxy basket, add as much rounds as the bottom is wide.

Round 20: Ch3, dc once into next 15 dc, ch19, sk next 13 dc, dc into next 31 dc, ch19, sk next 13 dc, dc into next 15 dc, sl st to top ch of ch3

Round 21: Ch3, dc once into next 15 dc, sc into each ch st, dc into next 31 dc, sc into each ch st, dc into last 15 dc, sl st to top ch of ch3

Round 22: Sl st into blo of each st, sl st to first sl st. Fasten off.

Adding the lining

Measure the bottom and the sides (for the last one lay your basket flat and measure from side to side). Make one piece for the bottom and two pieces for the sides. Add a seam allowance to all sides (I added 1.5 cm to each side). Cut your fabric and iron the fabric onto the fusible web. Sew the sides together and sew the sides to the bottom. Fold over the seam allowance on the top of the fabric and pin the fabric to the basket. Sew in place with a whip stitch. For more information on sewing fabric onto a crocheted piece, check out my tutorial “Howto add a zipper and a lining”!