CROCHET BASKETS WITH BRAIDED PATTERN 

Difficulty Level: Level 1 – Easy, for beginners

US crochet terms:
SlSt – slip stitch
CH/s – chain/s
SC - single crochet
CSSC - Single crochet into the center of the single
HDC - half double crochet
SK - skip
T - turn
ST/s - stitch(es)
REP – repeat
RS = Right side
WS = Wrong side
JOIN = Join

This pattern requires familiarity with stitches used and using invisible join when you work in closed rounds. 

Special techniques:
- Back loop only crocheting
- Single crochet into the center

The "single crochet into the center" technique, sometimes referred to as the "waistcoat stitch," creates a dense, knit-like fabric. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the Basics:

• Normally, when you single crochet (SC), you insert your hook under the two top loops of the stitch in the row below.
• The "single crochet into the center" changes where you insert your hook.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Locate the "V":

   • After you've crocheted a row of single crochets, you'll see a series of "V" shapes.
   • These "V"s are formed by the top of each single crochet stitch.
   • Instead of going under the top loops, you'll be going into the center of this "V."

2. Insert the Hook:

   • Insert your crochet hook directly into the center of the "V" shape, between the two "legs" of the "V."
   • You'll be going underneath the horizontal bar that lies behind the "V."

3. Yarn Over:

   • Yarn over your hook.

4. Pull Up a Loop:

   • Pull up a loop of yarn through the center of the "V." You should now have two loops on your hook.

5. Yarn Over and Finish:

   • Yarn over your hook again.
   • Pull the yarn through both loops on your hook. This completes the single crochet stitch.

Important Considerations:

• Tension:
  • This stitch can be tight. It's often recommended to use a slightly larger hook than you normally would to make it easier to work.
  • Try to keep your tension relatively loose.
• Appearance:
  • This stitch creates a very dense and firm fabric, with a distinctive "knit-like" appearance.
• Working in Rounds:
  • When working in rounds, you will continually work into the "V" of the stitches from the previous round.
• Checking your work:
  • It's a good idea to check your work as you go, to make sure that the "V"s of the new stitches are lining up with the "V"s of the stitches below.

CROCHETED BASKET FROM T-SHIRT YARN AND LID WITH A CHEERFUL PICTURE
PATTERN NOTES

1. In the tutorial, the 1 chain stitch at the beginning of the row does not serve as a replacement for a stitch.
2. I recommend starting with a magic ring.
3. The basket is crocheted in both spiral and closed rounds - both techniques are shown in detail in the video tutorial, and an "invisible" join is chosen for connecting the rounds, where we sew the round with the tail end of the yarn.
4. The inner part is crocheted with single crochet stitches in spiral rounds, I recommend using a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
5. ( ) – the number in parentheses indicates the number of stitches in the row after crocheting the entire row.
6. Basket size:
   • height: 10 cm
   • width: 15 cm
7. Lid size:
   • height: 4 cm
   • width: 15 cm
   • The size may vary depending on the crocheting style and yarn tension.
8. You can crochet the basket as wide and high as you want, just change the number of rows on the bottom part and the walls of the basket.
9. Lid dimensions according to the selected dimension of the lid type you choose.

CROCHETED BASKET FROM T-SHIRT YARN AND LID WITH A CHEERFUL PICTURE

DETAILED WRITTEN PATTERN (PAID PDF DOWNLOAD)

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BASKET

BOTTOM PART Color A

7 mm hook

1 chain stitch at the beginning of the row does not serve as a replacement for a stitch.

We start with a magic ring and continue crocheting in closed rounds – we close the round with a slip stitch. We crochet on the right side, do not turn the work.

R1: ch1, 9 hdc into the magic ring, close the round with a slip stitch (9 hdc)

R2: ch1, 2 hdc into each stitch around until the end of the round, close the round with a slip stitch (18 hdc)

R3: ch1, 1 hdc into the next stitch, 2 hdc into the next stitch repeat from * to * until the end of the round, close the round with a slip stitch (24 hdc)

R4: ch1, 1 hdc into the next 2 stitches, 2 hdc nto the next stitch repeat from * to * until the end of the round, close the round with a slip stitch (36 hdc)

Finish the round with an invisible join - I recommend pulling the tail from the beginning when we crocheted the magic ring and using this tail to sew the invisible join.

Continue crocheting the body of the basket.

BASKET BODY

Crochet on the right side, do not turn the work.

Crochet in spiral rounds, do not close the round with a slip stitch.

Crochet single crochet stitches into the center of the single crochet stitch from the previous round and single crochet stitches into the back loop.

R1: ch1, 1 sc into each stitch BLO, (36 sc)

R2: ch1, 1 cssc into the next 2 stitches, 1 sc BLO into the next stitch. The "knit pattern" separated by single crochet beautifully stands out.

R3 – R6: repeat row R2

Last round: 1 slip stitch into each stitch around, finish with an invisible join.

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose end.

BASKET WITH PLASTIC BASE OR LID

Color A

2.5 mm and 7 mm hooks

1 chain stitch at the beginning of the row does not serve as a replacement for a stitch.

Crochet on the right side, do not turn the work.

Crochet in spiral rounds, do not close the round with a slip stitch.

Crochet single crochet stitches into the center of the single crochet stitch from the previous round and single crochet stitches into the back loop.

2.5 mm hook

R1: crochet single crochet stitches into the holes in the wooden base.
1 single crochet into each hole, join the round with an invisible join, finish the last single crochet with the tail end of the yarn.

R2: ch1, crochet single crochet stitches – 1 single crochet into each stitch through the third loop (the bump).

7 mm hook

R3: ch1, 1 cssc into the next 2 stitches, 1 sc BLO into the next stitch.
The same pattern as on the body of the basket: "knit pattern" separated by single crochet.

R4: repeat row R3

Last round: 1 slip stitch into each stitch around, finish with an invisible join.

Cut the yarn and weave in the loose end.

The basket with a lid or basket with a wooden base can be decorated according to taste - for example, with a heart for joy, a crocheted flower, a button, a bow, and so on.

This cute CROCHET BASKET would a perfect handmade gift for all - for kids and adults! Could be a perfect gift for your love ones.

I hope you’ve enjoyed making this free CROCHET pattern.

What’s Next?

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You can browse through all of my other FREE crochet HOME and DECO patterns: 

https://www.nebeska.eu/en/articles/crochet-patterns-and-tutorials/home-decoration-and-holidays/