Simple Crochet Mini Basket Pattern
This simple crochet mini basket is the perfect nightstand accessory to store your ponytail holders and bobby pins!
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Hello again! Today I am sharing with you a pattern to create mini crochet baskets which are totally functional and super cute! I made a couple of them for drawer organizers because lord knows my drawers organizing. Below you can see one that I already put to work in my “nerd” drawer to hold my DS games, but really they could hold anything. I might make up a few in some neutral colors to hold soap in the bathroom or hold jewelry on my nightstand.
NOTE: I’ve updated this pattern with more mini basket size options! Check out the photo tutorial here!
Actually…I need to make one to hold my pony tails and bobby pins that I yank out of my hair at the end of the day. For some reason pony tails and bobby pins always end up missing. I will buy a pack and then within a month they will have all disappeared…maybe these little baskets will solve that problem. I’ll have to report back on that. 🙂
Today was a little overcast so I was having a difficult time taking photos. I usually like to have a couple more shots of my projects so you can really get a feel for what the finished product looks like before you make it, but the sun just wasn’t cooperating. It held out long enough to get in a couple of shots, so I am sure you get the picture. Luckily this is a quick project so you will soon see for yourself how awesome and useful these little baskets really are!
FYI! I made a brand new set of nesting mini baskets and made updates to this pattern to freshen it up. Click here to view that post. Also in that post is a step by step photo tutorial showing you exactly how to make these cute little baskets!
A printable download copy of this pattern is available for purchase here.
Crochet Mini Basket Pattern
Notes:
- Start each round with a chain-1, but the chain-1 does not count as a stitch. At the end of each round, join with the 1st single crochet of the round and NOT the chain-1
- Inc – In this pattern it means to increase, or make two single crochets into the same stitch.
Materials:
- Size 4.0 mm crochet hook
- 1 skein, Lily Sugar n’ Cream yarn – worsted weight 100% cotton yarn (pictured in Soft Violet and Hot Blue)
- stitch markers
- yarn needle
- scissors
Finished measurements:
- Shorter basket
- 3.25 inch diameter
- 2 inch height
- Taller basket
- 3.25 inch diameter
- 2.5 inch height
Key (US standard terms):
- sc – single crochet
- ch – chain
- inc – increase (two stitches into the same stitch)
Pattern:
Round 1: 8 sc in magic ring
Start each new round with a chain-1, but this chain-1 does not count as a stitch. At the end of each round, join with the 1st single crochet of the round and NOT the chain-1.
Round 2: inc in every other (12)
Round 3: inc in every other (18)
Round 4: inc in every 3rd (24)
Round 5: inc in every 3rd (32)
Round 6: inc in every 4th (40)
Round 7: inc in every 4th (50)
Round 8: sc around in inner loops
Round 9: sc around (in both loops)
For tall basket (pictured in blue)
Rounds 10 – 19: sc around
Round 20: sc 9, ch 7, skip 7 stitches, sc 18, ch 7, skip 7 stitches, sc 9,
Round 21: sc around.
Cut yarn, and use yarn needle to weave in ends.
For short basket (pictured in purple)
Rounds 10 – 15: sc around
Round 16: sc 9, ch 7, skip 7 stitches, sc 18, ch 7, skip 7 stitches, sc 9,
Round 17: sc around
Cut yarn, and use yarn needle to weave in ends.
I’m looking for pattern testers and now accepting applications! Click here to learn more information!
Love it, thanks!!!
Awe thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Fun! I’m going try them. It looks like this is a cotton yarn?
Thank you! Yes, it’s Lily Sugar n’cream.
Very good pattern
This is great! Sugar&cream is such great yarn with beautiful colors, and I always love 1 skein projects!
Thank you!! Me too, and it is much much less than 1 skein 😉
Can you get 2 out of one skein?
Yes, depending on how tall you make your basket 🙂 but if you follow the pattern you should be able to get two out of one skein.
I just made one of these adorable little baskets! Thanks for sharing. The only thing is that I did not understand is this intruction:
” At the end of each round, join with the 1st single crochet of the round and NOT the chain-1″
My chain 1 becomes part of my first single crochet….? isn’t the chain one part of the 1st crochet? I know it sounds too simple to mess up but I was just confused. Is there a clear picture of this in the pattern that is for sale? Thanks in advance!
Yes, it does kind of blend in with the first crochet. It’s not a big deal if you start each round in the chain 1, just if you start in the first single crochet instead, it helps create a more flawless look at the start of the round. It is kind of difficult to explain without a photo tutorial. I may need to do a photo tutorial on this…thanks for the idea!
I unfortunately do not have a clear picture of this in the paid pattern.
Thank you Millie for your comment, and for stopping by! 🙂
On Facebook this morning it shows baskets of larger sizes as well as the small ones. I couldn’t find the free pattern there do I went to just crafty but I still don’t find the pattern for the larger baskets. If there is a link to the pattern it is not anywhere I can find it.
An easier way to explain this (I have been using this method in my hats for years) is that this is called a “seemless join” yes you chain 1 at the beginning of every round, but when you slip stitch to join at the end of your round you slip stitch into the first stitch, not into the chain (essentially leap frogging the chain). It will not be visible on the outside, will show minimally on the inside, and it makes for a smoother look 🙂 I hope that helped explain it a bit for you 🙂
I have also tried this but find I end up with an extra stitch, I’ve made 3 baskets now, each differently. I was unsure whether to slip stitch in to the first stitch (skipping the chain) or just carrying on with slip stitch as I would gain one. Maybe I’m slip stitching wrong! Doing a slip stitch created a curved seam, which looked kinda cool, not doing one made it a bit gappy where I jumped from the last stitch over the chain and to the first stitch! Hmmmm a mystery!
Hi Jemma! At the end of each round, you will want to join with the 1st crochet stitch of the round and not the chain. It might help to mark the last stitch of the round with a stitch marker, so that you know where the last stitch is. If you don’t use a stitch marker, it’s easy to crochet into the slip stitch because it looks like another stitch…this may be where you are getting the extra stitches from. I am hoping to get a youtube video uploaded on this soon! 🙂
Also, when you crochet in the round and join after each round it will create a crooked seam. There are tricks to avoid this, but I wanted to keep this pattern simple and beginner friendly!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
The way I was taught for finishing a round was to count the top of the stitches from my hook backwards around the circle to the beginning of the round. When I get to the last stitch of the stated stitches, that is where I slip stitch into to complete the round. This way it keeps the stitch count correct yet does’t confuse me. LOL
Dear Brittany, your little baskets are adorable! <3 Thanks for sharing, I cannot wait to try these.
Can you tell me how much of that yarn I need to make one basket? I have a leftover of a beautiful yarn and I am not sure whether it is enough or not.
Take care. =)
Hi Joan, I unfortunately do not know the exact yardage for this project, but it is not a lot at all. The nice thing about this project is you can adjust the height of the basket with how much yarn you have. Thank you for stopping by!
Such delightful mini baskets! They enticed me to make one. Actually, I have made five of the small size; then increased the diameter by one additional round, and made five more. They nested together so nicely that I gave each of my married daughters a set! They loved them. Thank you for such a lovely pattern…a joy to make and to give!
Hi Lynne, that makes my day! I am so glad you enjoyed making the mini baskets! I’m sure they turned out so lovely! Thank you for dropping by and saying hi. 🙂
I love this basquets.
I am using your pattern but I am doing a bigger one to have beside the sofa with afgans.
I have a question, my basquet keep on falling down and I do not find a solution to avoid it to keep folding.
How do you manage to maintain the basquet up?
Thanks!!
Hmmm…I have only made the mini baskets so far, but I think in order to make a large baskets that would fit afghans you may need to use a thicker yarn and larger crochet hook in order for the basket walls to stay rigid.
Thanks for stopping by Veronica!
I read on another basket tutorial, that if you spray the basket with starch, it will become stiff and will stand better.
Crochet with two strands held together.
I would recommend using a thicker/ bulkier yarn! Thin yarn seems to droop, thick yarn tends to hold up. Hope this helps! xx
I love your little baskets. I am in the process of making one as we speak. I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Hopefully I can find a use for it before my daughters steals it from me. Lol
Thanks Stacy!!! Hahah, oh no! 🙂
I don’t have any Sugar n’ Cream yarn, and am not familiar with that yarn. What other yarn can you use? Would worsted yarn work?
Thank you,
Sophia
Hi Sophia! Sugar n’Cream yarn is a brand of worsted weight cotton yarn. I think an acrylic worsted weight would would work as well but I like to use cotton because it is of it’s sturdiness and look. Let me know what you decide to use! 🙂
I love your basket. In response to Veronica’s problem about the basket falling over -if you use a double strand of the Sugar ‘n Cream, it produces a sturdier basket than one worked with a single strand. Hope this helps.
I really appreciate the extra instructions and explanation in the pattern. I know how to do all the stitches, but crochet patterns are really hard for me to follow. I have to sit with one of those translator graphics and write out patterns just to understand them. I can’t wait to try this one!
Hi Brittany…I just love this pattern….I am making 30 mini basket for my son’s classmate for Halloween…and this is so simple to fallow…I made it with with yarn and just going to add orange and black ribbon for the theme…I wish I can send you a picture….Thanks always…can’t wait for you to come up with other patterns!
what is the magic ring in round one
Hi Ceil, please check out link below for a youtube tutorial on how to do the magic ring.
Could you email me this pattern for the basket and tell me how to increase for a larger one
When you complete the basket to do you typically turn it inside out? I made one of the baskets and really like it! Thanks for the pattern!
Thank you!
Can you please tell me if in round 8 “inner loop” is the same as “back loop only”
Thank you
Yes, sort of but only the inner loop instead of the back loop :).
U mean the front loop
The yarn seams larger then worsted in pic is it held double
Going to make one can’t wait
I made the smaller basket and love it. Thank you. I did have one problem tho. Your basket stays up with straight edges. Mine has curved inward. How can I avoid that.
Oh these are so cute!! I think a little larger and they would be adorable Easter baskets!
Thank you Amy! And yes they would, that’s a great idea! 🙂
Love your site and would like to get your newsletters. Great ideas!!!
Cat
Just started this project and its already turning out great! It’s great to use up some of the leftover skeins I had from an afghan I finished. I had been looking for a small basket that didn’t need super chunky yarn for a little while now and this is perfect! Thank you!
I’m really unsure why the chain 1 is used. Couldn’t you just use a stitch marker on your first stitch of the round?? The chain 1 leaves a hole. Maybe it’s just me but it seems useless. Sorry – love the basket tho!! Making one now
Hello Brittany,
I wanted to tell you that I featured this pattern on my blog. I did use some of your pictures to feature your baskets and did give you all of the credit for your wonderful creations. If any of this is not okay please email me and I will remove the post. Thanks for such a wonderful idea!
Yes, that’s perfectly fine! Thank you for sharing, I’m glad you enjoyed the pattern! 🙂
love this pattern! The best things are always so easy <3
You can see my result on Raverly http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Potvoora/mini-basket
It is no more a mini basket as I used Bobbiny rope and 8mm hook 🙂
I LOVE how it turned out!!! Thank you so much for sharing your basket! You made my day! 🙂 🙂
We’re can I find the yarn for the basketKaren
Where can I find the yarn for the crochet Mimi basket.
Hi Karen! You should be able to find Lily Sugar’n Cream Yarn at any Joanne Fabrics, Michaels, or AC Moore. Any worsted weight cotton yarn from any craft store will do!
I just can’t wait to make the baskwts. I had carpal tunnel surgery last week and I have to wait for my hand to heal then it’s off to crocheting baskets. Thank you for giving me a pattern to be excited about.
Hi Jennifer! I wish you a speedy recovery! I am so happy you like the pattern, happy crocheting! 🙂
a friend wants me to make this to hold a soup bowl – would this pattern work for that?
Hello!
I’m currently working on this pattern right now–with the Sugar ‘N Cream yarn–and I’m running into a problem. The bottom is curving up, so it’s not lying as flat as it is in the pictures.
Hi Deborah! Have you finished the basket yet? Once you finish the project and shape it to form a bit with your hands, the basket should lay flat. If not, you may need to wet block it by dampening the basket and shaping the bottom to sit flat and let it air dry.
I love this basket!! I want to make one today, I have the yarn but I cannot find any info one which size hook to use. Thanks!!
Brittany, never mind!! I found the size!! Maybe I should wait…too early in the morning??? :). Thanks for the pattern!! Looking forward to my new basket!! Thanks again!!
Haha! Happy crocheting, and enjoy the pattern!!! 🙂
Hi! I just finished the small basket pattern yesterday and I absolutely LOVE it!!! They are so cute, an I’m using it to hold my current crocheting projects. Thank you so much for sharing, and I’m really looking forward to making more?
Also happy Easter to everyone!!
IMG_2322.JPG
Here is a picture of my basket❤️❤️❤️
Hi Annie! I’m so glad that you enjoyed the pattern!! And I hope you had a happy Easter as well! I am unable to see your image, but I would love if you shared it on Instagram with #justbecrafty or on the Just Be Crafty Facebook page! 🙂
I don’t know if you have ever done this but when you make a basket have you ever had to use something to make it stiffer so that it won’t fall over or if it needs to be washed it will stay stiff?
Hi Tisa! I have actually not tried that. With the thickness of the cotton yarn and using the tiny 3.5 mm crochet hook, the basket stays sturdy and does not fall over. If you find that your basket is not holding it’s shape, you might want to try using a smaller hook and tightening your guage, or doubling up on your yarn.
I would love to watch a video on how to make these adorable lil baskets!! I find it hard to follow the written instructions. As you can tell I’m a newbie at this and I’ve already looked on YouTube but not one looks as good as yours!! Please let me know if you are willing to do a video. ?
Hi Krystal! I will definitely add this to my list of youtube tutorials! Thank you for the suggestion! 🙂
omg, i have animal crossing too!
Such a great game! 🙂
Completed. Thank you, wish I could upload the photo, I have used waste material from work, and it looks good!
Hi I’m a newbie and couldn’t understand what you mean in rounds 8 and 9 ” single crochet in inner loops ” and both loops?
I just loved the baskets and am looking forward to make them.
Hi Kavita! in a crochet stitch, if you look at it from the top view, you will notice that at the top of each stitch there are two loops. The loops closest to the inside of your basket will be the inner loops, and the loops closest to the outer edge will be the outer loops. Let me know if that helps!
Love these little baskets. So quick too. Thinking of making them for Christmas gifts. Thank You
Thank you! I’m so glad you like them, let me know if you give them a try! 🙂
Hi Brittany,
Thanks so much for sharing the pattern. Just made a small basket and it’s lovely! I used Rico Creative Cotton (aran). For anyone who finds it fiddly to do the chain 1 and joining of the rounds – I forgot to do it, so continuous rounds work well too. These baskets would be enjoyed by little girls to put small treasures in. A great gift idea! Thanks again.
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed the pattern!
Hello! These are adorable. I’m working on my second one. They are going to be gifts for my daughters’ teachers.
Question- do you turn the basket inside out when you’re done? If not, then the back of the stitches is exposed on the outside of the basket, and the seam of mine looks slightly unattractive! I know if you turn it inside out you don’t get that nice flat bottom, it gets rounded instead. Just curious if you flipped them inside out or not?!
Thank you for sharing the pattern!
Melissa
I’m replying to my own comment. Now I’m really confused! I can tell from your pictures that your baskets are the reverse of mine (inside out from what mine is). But how did you get it like that if you did inner loops and not outer loops in round 8?
Is anyone else having this issue?!
I could just flip mine inside out, but then the bottom is rounded and not flat, and they don’t sit right.
Hi Melissa! In Round 8, when you crochet in the inner loops, this should create a little line (the line is composed of the outer loops that you did not crochet into). That line should be on the outside of your basket. As long as that line is on the outside of the basket as you crochet in the round, you should have the correct side facing out.
For a rounded bottom – you may just have to shape it a bit with your fingers, and once you put things in your basket it should lay flat but if it’s still too rounded you might want block it by wetting it and shaping it to form and letting it air dry.
The seam – yes, the seam is visible. If you prefer, you can skip the join at the end of each round and just work your crochets in a continuous spiral. (Joining at the end of each round though will help make sure the top of your basket is even and not lop-sided.)
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
I’m still so confused about how this pattern produces the baskets you have pictured. Am I just crazy?! I followed the pattern exactly but my baskets have the “wrong side” of the stitches and the lumpy side of the seam on the outside of the basket, whereas your pictured baskets have those on the inside. I’ve been flipping mine inside out to get the “right side” of the stitches on the outside of the basket. I sacrifice the nice flat bottom by doing this, but it’s not that bad.
Perfect little basket for my neighbor girlfriend, she saw me working on them and i had tell to her what it was for! I must be in haws with your patterns, i re-suscribed to your email list! loll So just thank-you for your great patterns loll
try using a bigger hook….that sometimes makes it bigger x x
With the very thick wool on sale and the extra large crochet hooks, I think it will be possible to make a cat basket.
I have the powder starch that needs dissolving prior to application. Their instructions are to soak the product and when semi-dry iron with warm iron BUT I don’t think they make allowances for baskets. Do I just leave to dry naturally or is the warm ironing part of starching process thus cannot be skipped????
Would this work with worsted weight acrylic yarn?
Hi Emma, I have not tried these with worsted weight acrylic yarn yet. It should work, but I am thinking you will want to double up your yarn and crochet with 2 strands at a time. Otherwise, your basket might be more floppy. Let me know how it goes!
Hi Brittany,
I love this pattern, and have had no problems with it except when I counted wrong. I have made at least a dozen baskets to give as gifts even at baby showers, and everyone loves them. The little handles are so cute!
I have read some comments that have questions about the pattern, and I can’t help but add my comment that if they just follow your instructions they would have no problem. This is about the easiest pattern for a basket I have made. Others I have tried are harder to follow than yours.
Hi Joann – thank you so much! I am so glad you are enjoying the pattern and found it clear to follow! 😀 Happy crocheting to you and enjoy your baskets!
I have a question? When you say you should have 8 than 12 then 18 then 24 does the slip stich count as the last s crotch stich because IA seem to always be of ne at the end so I should have 8 single then 12 and not count the slip stich as my last one to make it 8 or 12 or 18 etc.. Sorry o not explain myself good. I made to so far and they didn’t come out very good.
Hi Mary! Slip stitch does not count towards the stitch count. Your last stitch should be right before the slip stitch. To help with this, I suggest using a stitch marker and placing it in the last stitch of your round. And then keep replacing it in the last stitch of each round as you go so that you can easily determine your last stitch.
If you use that tip, along with counting your stitches and making sure your counts are correct for each round I think that should help.
Please let me know if you have any other questions – thank you!
I use a short length of contrasting thread as a marker. I wind the current thread behind it as I start each row and it is easy to pull it out at the end. Then I can count the stitches onitting the one on the hook.
That’s a great idea! Thank you for sharing!
When you are crocheting the sides of the basket, do you still chain 1 at the beginning of each round?
Yes – you’ll start each round with a chain 1, but it does not count as a stitch.
My sister bought me one skein of t shirt yarn years ago. I’ve been unsure what to do with it until this pattern. It’s beautiful! And so easy. Plan on making more. Thanks for a wonderful pattern.
Thanks a lot for this lovely idea . I will definitely make it . I hope there is a way we can show you our work.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! If you are on Instagram – be sure to tag me so I can see! I’m @justbecraftyblog