A crochet basket is a quick, satisfying make that tidies up your home and looks lovely on a shelf. Worked in chunky yarn or t-shirt yarn with a big hook, a sturdy storage basket can be finished in an afternoon. Here are three free crochet basket patterns in UK terms: a chunky round storage basket with handles, a small cotton basket and a granny square basket.
Quick answer: To crochet a basket, work a flat circle in double crochet spiral rounds (UK terms, US single crochet), adding 8 stitches each round until it is 48 stitches, then work one round in the back loops only and 13 plain rounds for the sides, leaving two handle gaps near the top. With t-shirt yarn and a 10mm hook it makes a basket about 20cm across in 2 to 3 hours.
Every crochet basket pattern here has exact stitch counts, works in simple double crochet or classic granny squares, and is ideal for beginners. Use them for yarn, toys, toiletries, plants, bread or nursery bits, and make a set in different sizes for matching storage.
Why make a crochet basket?
- Fast: chunky yarn and a big hook mean a basket grows in a couple of hours.
- Useful everywhere: bathrooms, nurseries, craft corners, living rooms and kitchens.
- Beginner friendly: the main basket uses only double crochet in rounds.
- Great gifts: fill a basket with treats, toiletries or yarn for a lovely present.
What you need for a crochet basket
- Yarn: t-shirt yarn (also called fabric or ribbon yarn) or super chunky yarn for the storage basket; aran cotton for the small basket; DK or aran cotton for the granny square basket.
- Hooks: 10mm (UK 000, US N-15) for t-shirt yarn, 6mm (UK 4, US J-10) for aran cotton held double, and 4mm or 5mm for granny squares.
- Amounts: about 500g of t-shirt yarn for the storage basket, 150g of aran cotton for the small basket and 200g of cotton for the granny square basket.
- Extras: stitch markers, a large-eye needle and scissors.
Not sure about yarn weights? Our crochet yarn guide explains them, and the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system lists the standards. Our crochet hooks guide covers the big sizes.
Abbreviations (UK terms with US equivalents)
| UK term | Abbreviation | US term |
|---|---|---|
| Magic ring | MR | Magic ring |
| Chain | ch | Chain |
| Slip stitch | ss | Slip stitch (sl st) |
| Double crochet | dc | Single crochet (sc) |
| Back loop only | BLO | Back loop only |
| Increase | inc | 2 dc (US sc) in the same stitch |
See our UK vs US crochet terms guide if you usually use American patterns, and our magic ring tutorial for the start of the base.
Pattern 1: chunky crochet storage basket with handles
This crochet storage basket is about 20cm across and 15cm tall in t-shirt yarn with a 10mm hook. It is firm enough to stand on its own and has two cut-out handles.
Base
Work in continuous spiral rounds. Mark the first stitch of each round.
- Round 1: 8 dc into a magic ring. (8)
- Round 2: inc in each st around. (16)
- Round 3: *1 dc, inc* eight times. (24)
- Round 4: *2 dc, inc* eight times. (32)
- Round 5: *3 dc, inc* eight times. (40)
- Round 6: *4 dc, inc* eight times. (48)
Sides
- Round 7: 1 dc BLO in each st around. (48) This makes the crisp edge where the base turns into the sides.
- Rounds 8 to 20: 1 dc in each st around. (48)
Handles
- Round 21: 1 dc in each of the next 8 sts, 8 ch, skip 8 sts, 1 dc in each of the next 16 sts, 8 ch, skip 8 sts, 1 dc in each of the last 8 sts.
- Round 22: 1 dc in each dc and in each ch around. (48)
- Round 23: 1 dc in each st around, then ss into the next st to finish smoothly. (48)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. Fold the top two rounds outwards for a contrast cuff, or leave them straight.
Pattern 2: small cotton crochet basket
This small crochet basket is perfect for a bathroom shelf, a desk or a bedside table. Hold two strands of aran cotton together and use a 6mm hook. It is about 12cm across and 9cm tall.
- Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
- Round 3: *1 dc, inc* six times. (18)
- Round 4: *2 dc, inc* six times. (24)
- Round 5: *3 dc, inc* six times. (30)
- Round 6: *4 dc, inc* six times. (36)
- Round 7: 1 dc BLO in each st around. (36)
- Rounds 8 to 17: 1 dc in each st around. (36)
Finish with a ss and fasten off. For a two-tone look, work the last 3 rounds in a contrast colour.
Pattern 3: granny square basket
This basket uses five granny squares sewn into an open box. It is softer than the dc baskets, so it suits lighter things such as yarn, socks or baby bits.
- Squares: make 5 granny squares of 5 rounds each, about 12 to 13cm across in DK cotton with a 4mm hook. For a firmer basket, use the solid granny square version. Our crochet granny square tutorial shows both.
- Base and sides: use one square as the base and sew one square to each of its four sides.
- Corners: fold the sides up and sew the four corner seams.
- Top edge: work 2 rounds of dc around the top. For handles, follow Round 21 of Pattern 1 in the middle of two opposite sides.
Which crochet basket should you make?
| Basket | Size | Yarn | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chunky storage basket | 20cm across, 15cm tall | about 500g t-shirt yarn | 2 to 3 hours | toys, yarn, towels |
| Small cotton basket | 12cm across, 9cm tall | about 150g aran cotton | 1.5 to 2 hours | bathroom, desk, keys |
| Granny square basket | about 13cm cube | about 200g cotton | 3 to 4 hours | scrap yarn, nursery |
Choosing t-shirt yarn for a crochet basket
T-shirt yarn is made from long strips of jersey fabric, often from factory offcuts, so it is a thrifty and eco-friendly choice. It comes in many widths and thicknesses, which is why baskets made with the same pattern can come out different sizes.
- Thickness: look for a yarn recommended for a 9mm to 12mm hook. Thinner tapes make softer baskets.
- Consistency: some balls vary in width along the length. Choose a brand known for an even tape for neater stitches.
- Colour: neutral greys, mustard, terracotta and sage suit most homes; white shows dirt quickly.
- Make your own: cut old T-shirts into one continuous 2cm strip and stretch it so the edges curl.
If you cannot find t-shirt yarn, hold two or three strands of chunky yarn together with a 10mm hook for a similar result.
How to make an oval crochet basket
An oval basket fits neatly on a shelf or in a drawer. Instead of a magic ring, start with a chain:
- Foundation: 11 ch.
- Round 1: 2 dc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 dc in each of the next 8 ch, 4 dc in the last ch, then turn and work along the other side of the chain: 1 dc in each of the next 8 ch, 2 dc in the last ch. (24)
- Next rounds: keep working around, increasing only at the two curved ends: work 3 increases spread evenly around each end on every round, and 1 dc in each straight stitch.
- When the base is the size you want, work one round BLO and continue the sides with plain rounds, as in Pattern 1.
Making bigger or smaller baskets
The round baskets follow a simple rule: each increase round adds 8 stitches (Pattern 1) or 6 stitches (Pattern 2). To make a bigger basket, keep increasing in the same way for more rounds before the BLO round. To make it taller, add more plain rounds. Always keep the number of stitches in the handle round adding up: the two handle gaps together should be about one third of the stitches.
| Base rounds (Pattern 1) | Stitches | Approximate diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 48 | 20cm |
| 7 | 56 | 23cm |
| 8 | 64 | 27cm |
| 9 | 72 | 30cm |
Sizes depend on your yarn and tension, so measure as you go.
Crochet basket ideas around the home
- Bathroom: rolled towels, cotton pads and soaps in small cotton baskets.
- Nursery: nappies, muslins and soft toys in a soft granny square basket.
- Living room: remotes, magazines or a cosy throw in the chunky basket.
- Craft corner: yarn, hooks and works in progress.
- Plant pot cover: slip a pot inside a basket that is a little wider than the pot.
- Christmas: a red and white basket for cards or a pile of crochet decorations such as our crochet baubles.
Common problems and easy fixes
The base is not flat
If it curls up like a bowl, you need more increases or a bigger hook. If it ripples, use fewer increases or a smaller hook. Check the stitch count at the end of every base round.
The sides flop
Use a smaller hook to make denser stitches, hold two strands together, or choose a firmer t-shirt yarn. Folding the top rounds into a cuff also adds strength.
The handle holes stretch
Work Rounds 22 and 23 fairly tightly, or add an extra round of dc over the handle area.
Tips for a neat crochet basket
- Keep tension firm: baskets need tight stitches to stand up.
- Use a marker: spiral rounds are easy to lose track of in chunky yarn.
- Stagger increases: start some rounds with the increase to keep the base round.
- Weave ends securely: t-shirt yarn ends can slip, so sew them in with a few stitches.
Caring for your crochet basket
Most t-shirt yarn and cotton baskets can be hand washed in cool water with a little mild soap. Squeeze out the water gently, then reshape the basket over a bowl or a jar of the right size and leave it to dry completely, away from radiators. A quick shake and a light brush every few weeks keeps dust away. If a basket starts to lose its shape after a lot of use, a light spray of fabric stiffener inside the walls will firm it up again.
Crochet basket gift ideas
A filled crochet basket is one of the nicest handmade gifts. Pack a small cotton basket with soaps and a flannel, a chunky basket with a cosy throw and hot chocolate, or a granny square basket with yarn and a hook for someone learning to crochet. For more ideas, see our easy crochet gifts and our crochet bag patterns.
Ready to start your crochet basket?
For your first basket, choose the small cotton version: it uses only a handful of rounds, so you will finish it in an evening and learn how the back-loop round turns a flat circle into a basket. Then move on to the chunky storage basket, which grows quickly in t-shirt yarn and looks lovely in a living room or nursery.
Make a few in matching colours and sizes for a tidy, coordinated set, and keep one by your sofa for your current project. A crochet basket is one of those makes you will use every single day, and it is a wonderful way to practise working in the round before trying bigger projects such as bags and toys.
Have leftover cotton? Turn it into a matching crochet mandala wall hanging.
Want more crochet for the home? Try our free crochet cushion cover patterns with a size chart for every pad.
Frequently asked questions about crochet baskets
What yarn is best for a crochet basket?
T-shirt yarn or super chunky yarn makes the firmest baskets. Aran cotton held double is good for small baskets, and DK cotton works for granny square baskets.
How do I make a crochet basket stiff?
Use a smaller hook than usual, hold two strands of yarn together and work tightly in double crochet. A round in the back loops only also gives a crisp edge at the base.
How long does it take to crochet a basket?
The chunky storage basket takes about 2 to 3 hours, the small cotton basket 1.5 to 2 hours and the granny square basket 3 to 4 hours.
Is a crochet basket good for beginners?
Yes. The round baskets only use double crochet, increases and one back-loop round, so they are a great first project in the round.
Are these crochet basket patterns in UK or US terms?
They are written in UK terms. In US terms, every dc is a single crochet (sc).
