Crochet baskets are a pretty way to store and display bits and bobs – today I’d like to show you how to make a crochet lace basket from ordinary cotton yarn. The basket is stiffened with a generous coat of water-based varnish, though you can also use liquid starch.
You’ll need:
- Cotton yarn and crochet hook in size to suit yarn
- Sheet of card
- thin plastic bag
- pins
- water-based varnish or liquid starch
Begin by crocheting the basket – here’s the pattern I used, although you can use pretty much any doily pattern and just add rows 6 and 7 from this pattern to the edge.
- Make magic ring and sc 16 into ring
ch3, dc1, ch3, (dc2, ch3) 7 times, join round and slipstitch 2 to move into first space. - (ch3, dc2, ch2, dc3) in first space. (dc3, ch2, dc3) into each remaining space. Join round and slipstitch 3 to move into first space.
- (ch3, dc2, ch2, dc3, ch3) in first ch2 space. (dc3, ch2, dc3, ch3) in each remaining ch2 space. Join and slipstitch 3.
- (ch3, dc, ch2, dc2) in first space. * (ch2, dc1, ch2, dc1, ch2) into ch3 space, (dc2, ch2, dc2) into 2ch space. Repeat from * 7 times, ch2, dc1, ch2, dc1, ch2 in last space, join and slipstitch 2.
- (ch3, dc, ch2, dc2) in first space. *(ch1, dc5, ch1) into space between two single dc from last round, (dc2, ch2, dc2) into 2ch space between 2dc from last round. Repeat from * 7 times. (ch1, dc5, ch1) into space between two single dc from last round, join round with slipstitch.
- ch4, sc1 into 5th st along. Repeat all round. Join and slipstitch to center of first loop.
- ch4, sc1 into next loop. Repeat all round. Join and slipstitch to center of next loop. Repeat this round until basket is desired height. Fasten off and weave in ends.
The next step is to make a form, which will hold your basket in shape while it dries. Roll a sheet of card to it fits into the basket neatly, and tape together. To stop the varnish sticking to the card and leaving bits of card all over the inside of the basket, slip the card cylinder into a thin plastic bag.
Now slip the basket over the cylinder, stretching the top edges upward and pinning in place to open up the pattern.
With a soft brush, apply a generous coat of water-based varnish to the basket, allowing it to soak through the cotton. When you have completely soaked the yarn in varnish, leave it to dry.
When the varnish is completely dry, you can remove the form by untaping the cardboard and rolling the cylinder a little tighter so it will slip out of the basket easily. Carefully pull the plastic bag away as well, and you’re done 
You may also like:
I love to crochet!!! This is just simply so sweet a creation.
Here is my Show n Tell if you’d like to join me today… Have a super weekend!!
Hootin’ Anni´s last [type] ..the good, the bad and the ugly…
This is such a good idea/tutorial for that I HOPE you’ll get yourself a link from our blog to this tutorial by using our DIY / Craft Tutorial Linky Party ( http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-linky-party-free-pillow-crochet-pattern/ )
We’ve only just began this linky party series, but it’s going to be every Wednesday, from now on.
We’ll leave this first linky party open for a whole week, and will probably continue till all the good tutorial writers/creative talents know where to go on EVERY WEDNESDAY.
Hope to see you on the FCG blog!
BTW If you hop over to the blog today, you can put your name in the hat for a $50 Lisa Leonard jewelry gift certificate. Who knows…maybe you’ll win. Her jewels are gorgeous and unique to you, the wearer as they are all customized.
Ooooh I love it! Thank you so much for the pattern! I can’t wait to make it.
Bev @ FlamingoToes´s last [type] ..Crush of the Week – Under the Table & Dreaming
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
This is precious! Wish I knew how to crochet. TFS the pattern. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Stephanie Lynn´s last [type] ..Just a Few Exciting Things…
I love this!
Wow, this is such a cool crochet project. Think of all the possibilities; it’s a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing! Pam @ Sallygoodin
Pam @ Sallygoodin´s last [type] ..Just a tree….
Just popped over from Life in the Pitts…
This is clever! Thanks for sharing how to get the molded shape.
Thanks so muc for this tutorial. I just recently started to crochet and this lloks like a perfect project
Very elegant. Thanks for linking it up to Craftastic Monday:)
Cheryl´s last [type] ..CraftShare Featured Guest: Night Owl Crafting
Wow, this is a great tutorial. I wouldn’t have thought to pin it in place like that.
Lanie Ree´s last [type] ..Young and Studly vs. Old and Wrinkly. I know which one I’d choose!
Thank you for contributing this to http://www.FineCraftGuild.com's DIY Tutorial Linky Party.
It’s beautiful and well presented. This project is now on my ‘WANNA DO’-list!!
If you have a new & equally wonderful tutorial you wish to share with us this week, come on over. We just opened a new linky party for this week’s greatest talented artisans out there! (and you are one of them ;-0)
Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com´s last [type] ..DIY Tutorial Linky Party 3
this is pretty
i wonder if i can use this idea and make it into a cover for an IKEA lamp i have (i broke the glass part of the lamp and i’m left with a plastic thingy with the bulb inside lol)
MissCraftyFingers´s last [type] ..Domo Droid Story by MissCraftyFingers ©
I made something similar a few years ago. I used 3 different colors of cotton yarn and three different shapes based off bowls or baskets I had around. I freehanded the crochet (I’m awful at following patterns) then used the platic/starch technique to stiffen them. They matched the little gingham dresses I’d made for my three daughters for Easter! If you’re worried about candy slipping through holes you can just add a pretty coordinating cloth liner.