How to Crochet a Rope Basket – Free Pattern & Tutorial
Hello all! I’m so excited to be sharing a new crochet pattern with you all today. And even better, it’s something you can use all year long. Today’s new pattern is a set of modern crochet baskets! These crochet baskets come in 4 different sizes can be used so many different ways around your home.
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The following is a free pattern available for use on my website, if you would like to purchase a detailed, ad-free PDF version of this pattern, please visit my Etsy or Ravelry shop. All rights reserved.
About the Crochet-A-Long
These crochet baskets were originally designed for a Pineapple and Pine Crochet-a-Long for April of 2021. Crochet-a-Longs are a lot of fun and a great chance to connect with other makers in the crochet community. After the event is over, I like to keep the entire pattern available for use! If you want to see out some of our other Crochet-A-Long patterns, check out Pineapple and Pine for more info.
Another fun this that we like to do at Pineapple and Pine is to give some options during the CAL. Sarah (A Plush Pineapple) and I focused on home decor items this time around. So while I have shared this pattern for crochet baskets, Sarah shared a crochet table runner pattern! Click the button below to head to Sarah’s blog for the free pattern.
About the Baskets
We all love a good basket, am I right?! When I started designing these modern crochet baskets, I wanted something that I could use in place of cube storage boxes on my shelf. I love the style of woven baskets and decided to try to recreate that look with crochet. These crochet baskets use cotton yarn and 8mm (0.315 in) rope.
This crochet pattern comes in 4 different basket sizes (Small, Medium, Large, XL), but is totally customizable to whatever size basket you might need. While the smaller baskets will stand up on their own, the largest one is a bit soft and floppy. (It kinda makes a fabulous beach tote, if I do say so myself.)
Styling your Baskets
This is where the fun happens! Styling your crochet baskets will depend a bit on your chosen materials. For instance, if you opt for jute rope, you may not want to store your fancy yarn in it. However, a cotton rope makes a fabulous storage space for yarn, blankets, toys…etc. I even like to use my XL sized basket as a oversized tote bag.
Don’t write off jute altogether though! The jute rope makes a stunning plant basket. I like to leave my plants in their nursery pots and fancy them up with cute pot covers. Just stick a cork trivet or plastic water tray in the bottom to preserve your fab crochet basket.
About the Yarn
To design these modern crochet baskets, I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton. (This yarn was graciously provided by WeCrochet.) 24/7 Cotton is one of my absolute favorite cotton yarns. It has a sturdy, cord-like texture that makes it perfect for home decor and wearables alike. WeCrochet was also kind enough to send me some other worsted weight cotton yarn to try out. So if you’re looking for a yarn substitute, check out Dishie yarn from WeCrochet. It’s available in a ton of colors and it works great for this project too!
Don’t forget the Rope!
I tried a variety of different ropes with this and they all came out great. My favorites were cotton rope, macrame rope, and jute rope (you can find them on Amazon by clicking any of those links). The cotton craft rope is a tad stiffer than the macrame rope, so depending on if you want a softer style or not either of those is great. And the jute is perfect for decor as if give a cool, boho feel to the finished piece. You can also buy cotton or nylon rope from your local hardware store by the foot.
Materials Needed
1-2 Skeins of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (or 90-300yds of Worsted Weight cotton yarn)
30-110 ft of 8mm cotton, macrame, jute, or nylon rope
Skill Level
Experience Beginner
Gauge
Gauge is not essential to this pattern. Note: If the base of your basket is curling, increase your hook size. If it is warping, decrease your hook size.
Finished Measurements
Small: 6”w x 5”h
Medium: 8”w x 6”h
Large: 10”w x 8”h
X-Large: 14”w x 12”h
Yardage
| Basket Size | Yarn (in yds) | Rope (in ft) | Finished Width (in inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 55 | 25 | 6 |
| Medium | 130 | 45 | 8 |
| Large | 200 | 75 | 10 |
| X-Large | 300 | 110 | 14 |
Notes
- This pattern is worked in a continuous round. It is recommended that you use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of the round.
- The crochet baskets sizes of the base are written by round. The baskets sizes of the body are written as (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large).
- When changing rope colors, attach the new rope with hot glue or fabric glue before continuing.
- You can customize the size of your crochet basket by working the base increases until the circle reaches the width you’d like your basket to be. Proceed to the body section and work rounds until the basket reaches desired height stopping 2-3 rounds short to add handles.
Special Stitches/Techniques
Single Crochet Increase: Work two single crochet stitches in the same stitch from the previous round.
Crochet Around a Rope: Lay rope along the row of stitches. Insert hook into stitch below rope and pick up yarn from behind the piece. Pull up a loop and complete the stitch.
Pattern
BASE
Using 5.0mm (H) hook. MC with yarn.
Round 1: Sc 8 into MC working around rope of choice. Pull tail to close magic circle. (8)
Note: Continue working around rope of choice for all subsequent rounds of pattern.
Round 2: Sc inc in each stitch around. (16)
Round 3: *Sc 1, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 4: *Sc 2, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round 5: *Sc 3, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round 6: *Sc 4, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round 7: *Sc 5, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round 8: *Sc 6, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
For Small Size Basket, work a single crochet instead of a sc increase in last stitch of the round. (63) Move onto Body Section.
Round 9: *Sc 7, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Round 10: *Sc 8, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (80)
For Medium Size Basket, work a single crochet instead of a sc increase in last stitch of the round. (79) Move onto Body Section.
Round 11: *Sc 9, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (88)
Round 12: *Sc 10, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (96)
For Large Size Basket, work a single crochet instead of a sc increase in last stitch of the round. (95) Move onto Body Section.
Round 13: *Sc 11, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (104)
Round 14: *Sc 12, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (112)
Round 15: *Sc 13, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (120)
Round 16: *Sc 14, sc inc.* Repeat from * to * around until 1 stitch remains. Work a single crochet instead of a sc increase in last stitch of the round. (127) Move onto Body Section.
BODY
Switch to 6.0mm (J) hook.
Round 1: *Insert hook into first stitch from the back. Rotate hook to insert into the stitch from the row below from the front. Pick up yarn from the back side of the piece and pull up a loop around the rope from the current and previous row stacking the rope on top of each other. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook to complete a sc. Ch 1. Sk 1. * Repeat from * to * around until 1 stitch remains. Sc in same manner in last stitch.
See video above for help with this technique! (Note: Because this pattern is worked in a continuous round, there will be slight imperfection at the seam of the bottom edge. This will be the back of the basket.)
Round 2: *Sk 1. Ch 1. Sc in the ch space.* Repeat from * to * around.
Round 3: *Sc 1 in the ch space. Ch 1. Sk 1. * Repeat from * to * around.
Repeat Rounds 2 & 3 for total of (8,11,14,20) rounds. Move onto HANDLES.
Color blocking can be achieved by changing either rope color or yarn color in the body section of the basket. I recommend changing color either one-third or two-thirds of the way through the body section.
HANDLES
Fold basket in half or place additional stitch marker directly across from first stitch. Determine desired handle width. Suggested handle width sizes are (5,6,7,8) sc spaces but handles can be as large or small as desired or left off completely. Place stitch markers the desired number of stitches apart in the center of each side of the basket.
Round (9,12,15,21): Continue working in (sc, ch 1, sk 1) stitch pattern until you reach the first stitch marker for the handle. *Work the desired number of stitches for the handle around the rope only. Skip that number of stitches on basket.* Continue working in stitch pattern until you reach the next stitch marker. Repeat from * to * for second handle. Continue in stitch pattern to end of the round.
Round (10,13,16,22): Work in (sc, ch 1, sk 1) stitch pattern around.
Optional: Repeat previous round on larger basket sizes for thicker handle.
Tie off and weave in ends. Secure end of rope to inside of basket with fabric or hot glue.
Final Thoughts
I hope you love these crochet baskets! They’re some of my favorite decor pieces in my house. I’d love to see your crochet basket creations! Be sure to tag me on social media @craftingforweeks on Instagram or Facebook.
Want to see my other favorite home decor piece? Check out the Ocean’s Breath Wall-Hanging!
Until next time, Happy Crafting!
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