Fast and Easy Basket with Lid

This beginner friendly pattern can be easily altered to make a smaller or bigger basket, with or without a lid.

If you are a beginner - visit the stitch-onary page to refresh on abbreviations. This is an easy pattern to follow using slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), and increases (just follow the instructions.) Ignore the alterations your first time making this.

Tools: Bulky/Chunky yarn and I-sized hook -You can use different yarn, just adjust the size of your hook and you might need to make more rows to get the size you want, I picked bulky because it's sturdy and stands up well.

-Work through both loops unless otherwise stated for a round.

Bottom
Row 1: ch 3, (counts as dc throughout pattern) 11 dc in third ch from hook, sl st to join in top of beginning chain. (12 dc)
Row 2: ch 2, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each sp around, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (24 dc)
Row 3: ch 2, dc in same sp, 1 dc in next sp, *2 dc in next sp, 1 dc in next* repeat from *around, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (36 dc)
Row 4: ch 2, dc in same sp, 1 dc in next two spaces, *2 dc in next sp, 1 dc in next 2 spaces* repeat from * around, join with sl st in back loop of beg ch. (48 dc)

Note: To make a smaller basket stop increasing at row 3, to make a larger basket, continue increase pattern by adding an additional dc in between doubles for each new round until you reach the desired size.

Side
Row 1: work in back loops for this round only-ch 2, dc in each sp around, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (48 dc)
Rows 2-6: (working in both loops from now on) ch 2, dc in each sp around, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (48 dc)
Row 7: ch 1, sc in same sp and in each sp around, join with sl st in top of first sc. (48 sc) finish off

Lid-starts same as bottom
Row 1: ch 3, (counts as dc throughout pattern) 11 dc in third ch from hook, sl st to join in top of beginning chain. (12 dc)
Row 2: ch 2, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each sp around, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (24 dc)
Row 3: ch 2, dc in same sp, 1 dc in next sp, *2 dc in next sp, 1 dc in next* repeat from *around, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (36 dc)
Row 4: ch 2, dc in same sp, 1 dc in next two spaces, *2 dc in next sp, 1 dc in next 2 spaces* repeat from * around, join with sl st in back loop of beg ch. (48 dc)
Row 5: ch 1, 2 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next 3 sp, *sc in next sp, 1 sc in next 3 sp* repeat from * around, join with sl st in top of first sc (60 sc)
Row 6: work in back loops for this round only- ch 2, dc in each sp around, join with sl st in top of beginning ch. (60 dc)
Row 7: sl st in each sp around, join with sl st to first sl st. (60 sl sts) finish off

Note: If you made your basket a different size, start your lid by making it the same size as your bottom piece, then add one additional increase round of sc, continue directions starting at round 6.
-Weave in ends and trim. After working you may have to flatten the bottom of basket and top of lid on a surface to shape before using.

Alteration: For an even sturdier basket, make two bottoms, sl st together then continue pattern. Two top circles can be made for the lid also, then continue on row 6. This will help the basket and lid keep their shape better. If your lid isn't quite big enough, use a hdc instead of sc on row 5.

Happy Stitching!
L-