Here is a pattern for an eye-catching striped basket crocheted in bright and colorful shades of a chunky wool blend yarn, with crocheted flower appliqués (optional) and wood bead accents (optional). It’s a nice, roomy basket which is ideal for holding yarn skeins, fabric, or children’s toys, or it can be used it as a decorative cover for a planter, trash basket or other container. I use a similar basket to hold yarn and rolls of fabric and it really looks pretty in my crafting room. It’s fun to make and useful!

Note: the finished basket is a little floppy. It will not stand up by itself, so it has to be filled with things or be a cover for something else.

The finished size is about 10” diameter by about 8.5” high.

Skill Level - A beginner with some experience should be able to complete this basket. The basket is crocheted in the round and is almost entirely half double crochet. The flowers and leaves are a little more complicated than the basket but the only stitch a beginner might not be familiar with is a spike stitch, which is explained in the instructions.

Materials – 1 Skein each of 8 colors of Lions Pride Woolspun, a Chunky weight wool blend yarn, 20% wool, 80% acrylic. You’ll need about 60 yards of each color. I used Royal Blue, Honey, Claret, Red, Orchid and Mahogany. I also used a green shade and a light blue/turquoise shade which are no longer available, so I recommend Avocado (a little darker than my green) and Periwinkle (more light blue than the turquoise of the shade I used) instead. Any similar weight, similar blend yarn should work just fine. Red Heart Heads Up is a very similar yarn. The pattern includes a Color Chart with recommendations for color substitutions. Or, choose your own 8 color scheme - the whole point of color work is to use your imagination and have fun!

NOTE ON YARN 9-1-21: The recommended yarn is discontinued and available only in limited quantities and colors from private sellers. As a substitute I recommend Stylecraft Special Chunky in Mocha, Storm Blue, Fondant, Meadow, Lipstick, Gold, Raspberry and French Navy.

G Hook (or size needed to obtain desired gauge)
Stitch Markers
3 small wood beads
Tapestry Needle

Note on Gauge: I crochet rather loosely and usually have to go down one hook size to obtain gauge. Gauge is not that important for a basket, but if you want to achieve the measurements listed for the finished basket, you may need to adjust your hook size.

Stitches:
Sliding Loop
Slip Stitch
Chain
Single Crochet
Double Crochet
Half Double Crochet
Back Loop Only Half Double Crochet
Treble Crochet
Spike Stitch Single Crochet