The Small Project Yarn Basket | Free Pattern
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Here’s how it works.
Is it a Small Project Yarn Basket? Is it a purse? Is it a small project bag? Truthfully – I’m not 100% certain. I designed this to be a small project bag with a sturdy reinforced bottom and it is! It has a handle and it also has a tie closure you can use to close the top so your project items do not fall out.
It also works as a great little yarn basket. The reinforced bottom and sturdy sides make it stand open and tall – perfect for a number of small balls of yarn (7 fit easily); or 3 medium sized balls (4 fit snuggly) – hooks also fit in easily.
It also works great as a small purse. You can fit your wallet, keys, sunglasses, lipstick and other personal essentials…
I guess I will let you decide – I can’t wait to see what you make!
The Small Project Yarn Basket
Supplies
- Yarn: Knit Picks Chroma Worsted (Color: Sandstone) I used 129 g/256 yards (less than 2 balls).
Knit Picks Chroma Worsted – 198 yards/100 grams – 70% Wool, 30% Nylon – 11-14 sc = 4″ on I-K hooks
- Hook 5.0 mm
- Plastic Canvas Circle 5.75 inches (14.6 cm) this is optional
- Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker (optional)
Difficulty Level
EASY/INTERMEDIATE – see tutorials for assistance – need to understand the parts of a stitch (stitch anatomy) and how to read a written crochet pattern
Finished Size
Height: 6 inches
Width: (flat circle diameter) 6 inches
Width (flattened): 9 inches
Gauge
approximately 16 sts = 4 inches; 26 rounds = 4 inches
Abbreviations
US Terminology used
3rd loop – this is the loop behind the front and back loops of a hdc sometimes called the back bar
beg – beginning
BPsc – back post single crochet stitch
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
MR – magic ring
R – row/round
rem – remaining
rep – repeat
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
st/sts – stitch/stitches
Wst – waistcoat stitch
Wsl st- waistcoat slip stitch
* – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain of multiple instructions.
() – Repeat the instructions between the parentheses the number of times indicated.
[] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
Helpful Tutorials
3rd loop – (aka back bar of the stitch) Scroll to Round 7 at this link to find the visual for where the third loop is located.
Video Tutorial for the Waistcoat Stitch
Stitch Diagram
Notes
- Do not sl st to join at the end of rounds unless specified.
- Ch stitches do not count as stitches in the totals at the end of the rounds.
- Do not work into chain stitches unless specified.
- Waistcoat stitch is also known as the New Chain Stitch.
- The Basket is worked from the bottom (base) up to the top in one piece after you have completed the interior section of the purse (which is separate).
Pattern Instructions
1st Base (Interior – Inside of Basket)
R1: MR: ch 2, 8 hdc [8]
You will be working in the 3rd loop (aka the back bar) for the remainder of this section.
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in the next st**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [24]
R4: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [32]
R5: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [40]
R6: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [48]
R7: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [56]
R8: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [64]
R9: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. Finish off and set aside. [72]
2nd Base (Exterior)
R1: MR: ch 2, 8 hdc [8]
You will be working in the 3rd loop (aka the back bar) for the remainder of this section.
R2: 2 hdc in each st around [16]
R3: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in the next st**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [24]
R4: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [32]
R5: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [40]
R6: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [48]
R7: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [56]
R8: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. [64]
R9: *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts**. Rep from * to ** 8 times. Do not finish off. [72]
Now place your 1st (Interior) Base and 2nd (Exterior) Base together – wrong sides facing each other (RS facing out).
Line up your 2nd base to the point on the 1st base where you have 2 hdc in one stitch (an ‘increase’ stitch). This will help line up the ‘corners’ (where the increase stitches make a bit of a angle all the way around the base).
You will work through the 3rd loop of the 2nd (exterior) base and both the front and back loops of the 1st (interior) base of the first of the 2 stitches.
Now working through the 3rd loop of the 2nd (exterior) base and the front and back loops of the 1st (interior) base continue as follows:
R10: 1 sl st in each of the next 36 stitches.
Slide your plastic circle reinforcement in between the 2 layers.
Continue working around. 1 sl st in each rem st around. [72]
You have now created your reinforced base!
For this next round you will work in the front and back loops of each st of the 2nd (exterior) base around. You have already worked in the 3rd loop (back bar of the stitch) so you only have the front and back loops left for the 2nd(exterior) base – work in BOTH.
R11: 1 sc in each st around. [72]
R12: 1 Wst in each st around [72]
R13-R39: Rep R12 [72]
R40: 1 Wst in the next st, ch 18, sk 18 sts. Do not let the ch twist. 1 Wst in each of the next 18 sts. Ch 18, sk 18 sts. Do not let the ch twist. 1 Wst in each of the next 17 sts. [36 Wst, 36 ch]
R41: 1 Wst in the next st. 1 sc in the back bump of each of the 18 ch sts. 1 Wst in each of the next 18 sts. 1 sc in the back bump of each of the 18 ch sts. 1 Wst in each of the next 17 sts. [36 Wst, 36 sc]
R42: 1 Wst in each st around. [72]
R43-44: Rep R42 [72]
R45: 1 Wsl st in each st around. Finish off with an invisible join and weave in ends. [72]
The Optional X-Stitch
I chose to hand-sew a small X across both the 9th and 10th stitches – in the spaces created by the handles on each side.
I did this for 2 reasons – one to add a little extra strength to the handle in case I wanted to put something a bit heavier in the basket and two – to allow me to use a simple braided tie to close the top of the basket for when I use it as a project bag or small purse.
The Optional Tie
Make 3: Ch 60, finish off and weave in ends.
Take the 3 chain-lengths of 60 stitches and tie them in a secure knot at one end before braiding them together to form a textured tie. Securely knot the other end.
You can hand-sew this to the inside of the basket, or simply pop it through (from the outside to the inside) on either side of the X stitch you made in the center of the handle space on one side. It hangs inside the bag unless you need it and when you do just thread it through on either side of the X stitch you made in the center of the handle space on the other side and tie the ends in a knot (or double knot).
