About This Simple Basket Crochet Pattern
This Simple Basket pattern is designed to bring both beauty and organization to your home. Crafted in the round using easy-to-follow stitches, this basket features a sturdy base that gradually builds up into functional sides with charming handles. The pattern uses approximately 45 yards of medium weight yarn and can be completed in just a couple of hours, making it perfect for a quick weekend project or a thoughtful handmade gift.
What makes this pattern special is its adaptability—you can customize the height by simply working additional rounds until you reach your desired measurements. The textured design created by working in the back loops adds visual interest while maintaining the basket's structural integrity.
Why You'll Love This Simple Basket Crochet Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because it's incredibly versatile and satisfying to complete in such a short time. There's something magical about watching a flat circle transform into a functional basket right before your eyes, round by round. I appreciate how forgiving this pattern is for beginners while still producing a polished, professional-looking result that you'll be proud to display or gift. The handles add such a thoughtful touch, making it easy to carry from room to room, and I find myself reaching for these baskets constantly to organize everything from yarn balls to bathroom essentials. Plus, it's the perfect stash-buster project that lets you experiment with different color combinations without any commitment!
Switch Things Up
I love experimenting with this Simple Basket pattern because it's so adaptable to different styles and needs. One of my favorite variations is making a set of nesting baskets in graduated sizes—simply adjust the number of increase rounds in the base to create larger or smaller circles, then work proportionally fewer or more rounds for the sides.
For a more decorative look, I sometimes work the sides in stripes by changing colors every two rounds, or I'll use a variegated yarn that creates its own beautiful color pattern as you work. You can also experiment with different stitch patterns for the sides instead of half double crochet—try working in single crochet for a tighter, more structured basket, or use double crochet for a taller, more open weave.
I've also created baskets with a contrasting color for the handles, which adds a fun pop of color and makes them stand out. Another variation I enjoy is eliminating the handles entirely and adding a decorative edging around the top rim instead—a simple scallop or shell stitch edging takes just minutes and elevates the whole look.
For a rustic farmhouse aesthetic, I've used natural jute or cotton rope yarn, which creates a sturdy, textured basket perfect for holding plants or heavier items. On the other end of the spectrum, using soft chenille or velvet yarn makes an incredibly plush basket that's perfect for a nursery or bedroom.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Not placing a stitch marker at the beginning of rounds, which leads to losing track of where each round starts and ends
✗ Working too tightly during the base rounds, causing the basket bottom to cup upward instead of laying flat and stable
✗ Forgetting to work in the back loop only during Round 10, which eliminates the important ridge that separates the base from the sides
✗ Making the chain handles too tight or too loose, resulting in uneven or uncomfortable handles that don't match in size