Chunky Crochet Basket – Task-it Basket
Toys, snacks, knick-knacks, or (of course) yarn, the Task-it Basket is perfect for small storage tasks. This chunky, crochet basket works up fast in super bulky yarn. A hidden ring of plastic mesh helps it hold its shape and can be easily removed for washing.
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Lion Brand Super Bulky yarns
I dug deep in my stash for the yarns for this basket. The grey yarn still has its label, so I know it’s Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in #148P Slate.
The other 2 don’t have a label but I’m fairly certain they are Lion Brand Hometown yarn in #130K Green Bay and #153I South Dakota Black.
Both yarns are very similar in size, so you can use either, or mix and match like I did.
Perfect Stripes
Stripes in crochet can create a jagged line, where the bottoms of the stitches in the new color intersect the tops of the stitches in the old color. This bulky crochet basket pattern uses slip stitches and working in the back loop to eliminate that jagged line.
First, a round of slip stitches, worked in the back loop only, covers the top of the old color stitches. The unused front loops create a straight line of the old color.
Next, work the first round of the new color into the back loops of both the slip stitch and the stitch below it (the same back loop that the slip stitch was worked into). Working into both back loops, instead of just the back loop of the slip stitches, gives the new round more stability.
The unused front loops of the new color now create a straight line of the new color, resting on top of the straight line of the old color.
Materials
- Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 170 g / 106 yds per skein) OR Lion Brand Hometown yarn (100% acrylic; 142g / 81 yds per skein)
- 50 yds each black (A) & green (B)
- 100 yds grey (C)
- Hook: Size L / 8 mm hook or size needed to match gauge
- Notions:
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
- Stitch Marker
- Stiff plastic mesh canvas (1-2 sheets measuring 10.4″ x 13.5″ OR 1 sheet measuring 12″ x 18″)
- 1-2 yds of waste yarn or thread thin enough to fit the plastic mesh holes, for sewing mesh together
Sample is shown in Lion Brand Hometown #130K Green Bay (A) and #153I South Dakota Black (B), and Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick #148P Slate.
Project Level
Intermediate: Working in rounds, working in back loops, back post stitches, working into rounds below.
Size
28.5 inches outer circumference x 6 inches tall
Gauge
9 sc = 4.75 inches; 8 rnds = 4 inches
Abbreviations used
This pattern uses US terms.
- blo = back loop only
- ch = chain
- hdc = half double crochet
- rnd = round
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- yo = yarn over
Instructions
Use a stitch marker (or running stitch marker) to mark the first st of each rnd.
Join rounds where indicated with sl st in first st of rnd.
Bottom Circle
Rnd 1: With A, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around, join. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] around to last st, sc in last st. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] around, join. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, [sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st] around to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts, join. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 5 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts] around, join. (42 sc)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, [sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st] around to last 3 sts, sc in last 3 sts, join. (48 sc)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 7 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts] around, join. (54 sc)
Sides
Begin working in continuous rnds. Do not join unless indicated.
When instructed to change colors, use the new color to complete the last “pull-through” step of the indicated stitch.
Bottom stripe
Rnd 10: Ch 1, bphdc around each st around. (54 bphdc)
Rnd 11: Hdc in each st around, change to B in last st. (54 hdc)
Rnd 12: With B, sl st in blo of each st around. (54 sl sts)
Middle Stripe
Rnd 13: Ch 1, [hdc in (blo of next sl st and blo from 2 rows below – same loop that the sl st was worked into) together] around. (54 hdc)
Rnds 14-16: Hdc in each st around, change to C in last st of last rnd.
Rnd 17: With C, sl st in blo of each st around. (54 sl sts)
Top Stripe
Rnd 17: Rep rnd 13. (54 hdc)
Rnd 18: Hdc in each st around, join. (54 hdc)
Lining
Rnd 19: Ch 1, bpdc in each st around. (54 bpdc)
Rnds 20-25: Hdc in each st around. (54 hdc)
Rnd 26: Hdc in each st around, join, sl st in next st.
Fasten off. Fold lining to inside of basket.
Handle
Rnd 1: Working into the unused tops of sts from Rnd 18, join C with sl st in first st, ch 1, sc in first 11 sts, ch 5, sk next 5 sts, sc in next 22 sts, ch 5, sk next 5 sts, sc in last 11 sts, join. (44 sc, 2 ch-5 sps).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each of first 11 sts, 5 sc in next ch-5 sp, sc in next 22 sts, 5 sc in next ch-5 sp, sc in last 11 sts, join. (54 hsc)
In Rnd 3, you will be working into rounds below. As you do, work over and around any sts above, so that they are encapsulated within the new sts. This creates a double-thick top rnd, for a sturdier handle and edge. Do not work any chs at the start of the rnd.
Rnd 3: Working over and around sts from previous row(s), hdc in each of first 11 sts 3 rows below (Rnd 18 of sides), 5 hdc in next ch-5 sp 2 rows below (Rnd 1 of handle), hdc in next 22 sts 3 rows below, 5 hdc in next ch-5 sp 2 rows below, hdc in last 11 sts 3 rows below, join. (54 hdc)
Fasten off.
Plastic Mesh Insert
Measure the height of the lining portion of your basket. It should be about 4 inches.
Cut strips of plastic mesh as tall as your lining measurement, until you have at least 26 inches of total length, plus 1/2 inch extra for each strip (this should be 2 strips if you use either of the recommended mesh sheet sizes).
Overlap the ends of the strips by 1/2 inch and sew together with scrap yarn to create one long strip. The final strip should be at least 26.5 inches long (if it’s longer, do not trim yet). Be sure all cut edges of mesh are smooth, trimming away any small bumps, so that they don’t snag on the yarn.
Roll the mesh strip into a tube and place it inside the basket, expanding it to fit tightly along the edge. Make sure the bottom edge is lined up neatly with the bottom edge of the basket. Stretch it to fit snuggly, and use a piece of scrap yarn to mark where the ends overlap.
Take the mesh ring out of the basket and baste the ends together with scrap yarn so they overlap as marked. Place the ring back in the basket and check the fit. Adjust as necessary. If you need more length, you can add additional pieces of mesh, sewing them together as before. Be sure the ends overlap by at least 1/2 inch at each seam.
Once you are happy with the fit, you can sew the ends of the ring together more securely and trim away any excess plastic if you want to. I left mine as-is so I can more easily adjust later if the fabric stretches over time.
Finishing
Weave in any remaining ends.
Place the plastic mesh insert into the basket, making sure it’s lined up straight along the bottom edge. Fold the lining to the inside of the basket, over the mesh.
The plastic mesh insert can be easily removed for washing, and then replaced in the same way.
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