Crochet Basket: A Free Pattern with Sides That Stand Up
A firm, flat-bottomed basket that holds its shape empty — the hook size, the stitch and the one round that makes the sides turn up sharply.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton held double, about 250 yd
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- About 4 hours
- Finished size
- 8 in across × 5 in tall (20 × 13 cm)
You'll need
- 100% cotton worsted weight (#4) yarn, held double — about 250 yd total
- 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors
In this post
Most crocheted baskets slump. The fix is not a special stitch — it's thicker yarn worked on a relatively small hook. Holding worsted cotton double on a 5 mm hook makes a fabric stiff enough to stand up empty, and that's the whole secret.
Holding yarn double
Pull a strand from two balls and crochet with both at once as though they were one thick yarn. Keep an even tension on both so one doesn't loop out. If you'd rather not, a bulky (#5) or super bulky (#6) yarn on the same hook gives a similar result.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The pattern
Worked in continuous rounds with yarn held double. Mark the first stitch of each round.
Base
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
- Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7: (Sc 5, inc) 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8: (Sc 6, inc) 6 times. (48)
The base should be about 8 in (20 cm) across and completely flat. Stop here for a small basket, or keep increasing by 6 for a wider one.
The round that makes the sides stand up
- Rnd 9 (BLO): Working in back loops only, sc in each st around. (48)
This single round creates a sharp, hinged corner between base and side. Worked through both loops instead, the basket comes out bowl-shaped.
Sides
- Rnds 10–22: Sc in each st around. (48)
Thirteen rounds gives sides about 5 in tall. Add rounds for a deeper basket.
Handles
- Rnd 23: Sc 6, ch 10, skip 12 sts, sc 12, ch 10, skip 12 sts, sc 6. (24 sc and two ch-10 loops)
- Rnd 24: Sc in each st and in each chain around. (44)
- Rnd 25: Sc in each st around. (44)
- Rnd 26: Sl st in each st around. Fasten off and weave in the ends. (44)
Three sizes
| Size | Stop the base at | Side rounds | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Rnd 6 (36 sts) | 10 | 6 × 4 in |
| Medium | Rnd 8 (48 sts) | 13 | 8 × 5 in |
| Large | Rnd 10 (60 sts) | 16 | 10 × 6 in |
Common questions
Why does my basket flop over?
The fabric is too soft. Hold the yarn double, or move to a bulky yarn, and use a hook on the small side for the yarn thickness.
Why are my sides sloping outward?
You increased past the base round. Once the base is the size you want, work every round with no increases at all.
Can I use t-shirt yarn?
Yes, and it makes a wonderfully sturdy basket. Use a 9 mm hook and expect the stitch counts to give a much larger basket.
Is cotton necessary?
It gives the crispest result, but acrylic held double works. Avoid anything soft and drapey, which is exactly what you don't want here.
Make one for your yarn. Then make one for the yarn that won't fit in the first one. 🧺
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