This free crochet basket pattern is exceptionally easy to make and uses inexpensive twine and leather to create a primitive, yet sophisticated home decor piece.
One of my favorite DIY pursuits is using mundane or utilitarian materials and crafting them into something that looks like it could be worthy of a West Elm or Anthropologie price tag. (If you love making the mundane magical too, check out this popsicle stick hexagon shelf, this "reclaimed wood" coffee stirrer wall art or these crochet slippers with flip flop soles.)
The materials for this free crochet basket pattern, my friends, are about as utilitarian and basic as they come. When I happened upon this twine at Dollar Tree (yes, the dollar store!), I knew it’s slightly rough, organic texture was destined to be lovingly woven into hundreds of crochet loops.
This twine is meant for hardware projects, I think, but if you don’t have access to a Dollar Tree, you could buy kitchen or butcher’s twine and I believe it would be quite similar.
To make the handles for your basket, simply pick up a leather belt at a thrift store--the more worn in, the better. This project is mindless and gratifying and easily customizable. If you’d like a smaller or larger basket, just stop increasing sooner or later on the round bottom of the basket. Wouldn’t a set be lovely to store towels and washcloths in a bathroom or blocks and toys in a kid’s room?
I absolutely love the juxtaposition of the even, textured stitches against the rough, aged leather. And I get a quiet thrill from knowing that NO ONE that sees this crochet basket on the shelf will have any idea that it was made for a few bucks with supplies from the dollar store.
I love to see your stitches! Tag me on Instagram (@makeanddocrew) to show off your work!
You may make items to sell with this pattern. First, please read the rules at the very bottom of this page.
Twine + Leather DIY Basket Supplies
Twine + Leather DIY Basket SuppliesSo you can spend more time making and less time shopping, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• approx 2,000' total "Tool Bench" brand twine from Dollar Tree (Six 420' rolls, with some left over.) This twine is similar. Buy enough separate balls to be able to hold three strands together.
• 3 Zip-Loc bags (to keep the twine from tangling while you work)
• Size K hook
• thrifted leather belt (or you could get something like this)
• scissors
• tapestry needle
• stitch marker or scrap of contrasting yarn
• ruler
• leather punch (or a thick nail and a hammer would work too)
Abbreviations - US terms
sc - single crochet
sl st - slip stitch
Notes
• This project is worked in the round, so you won’t be joining the rounds, but rather crocheting in a spiral.
• The entire basket pattern is worked with three strands of twine held together.
• Place each roll of twine in a separate Zip Loc bag and seal it almost completely. Leave just enough room for the strand to be pulled out and your rolls won’t tangle while you work!
Twine + Leather Free Crochet Basket Pattern
Twine + Leather Free Crochet Basket PatternBegin with a magic loop. Make 7 sc in it and join with a sl st. Place marker at beginning of round.
Round 1: 2 sc in each sc (14)
Round 2: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next sc* repeat 7 times (21)
Round 3: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 2 sc* repeat 7 times (28)
Round 4: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 3 sc* repeat 7 times (35)
Round 5: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 4 sc* repeat 7 times (42)
Round 6: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 5 sc* repeat 7 times (49)
Round 7: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 6 sc* repeat 7 times (56)
Round 8: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 7 sc* repeat 7 times (63)
Round 9: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 8 sc* repeat 7 times (70)
Round 10: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 9 sc* repeat 7 times (77)
Round 11: *2 sc in the first sc, 1 sc in the next 10 sc* repeat 7 times (84)
Round 12 - 37: work in sc around. (84)
Round 38: (To end the basket) sl st in next 2 sc and fasten off. (2)
To create the handles
1. Cut two 10” pieces of leather from your belt. I rounded the corners of mine slightly.
2. Punch four holes on each end of your leather handles.
3. Sew onto your basket using one strand of twine folded in half. (Note: these handles are more for visual appeal than actual carrying. If you’d like them to be more functional, I’d suggest sewing them on more securely.)
And there you have it! Your crochet basket is ready for the shelves of Anthro or West Elm--or even better--your living room!
Here are a few other DIY home decor projects to fancy-up your space:
Popsicle Stick Hexagon Shelves
Leather + Crochet Coasters - Great DIY gift idea for the masculine, yet domesticated, man in your life!
Sandy says
I am confused as to how the pattern ends up in the form of a basket.. If I follow the instructions and sc from Row 12 -37, won't I end up with just a huge circle. Shouldn't there be some decrease stitches after Row 11 to form the sides of the basket?HELP!
Wilma Fox says
Could I get the pattern for the owl toy hamper with eyes that is pink, white and turquoise? Thank you.
Lyn says
I thought I was the first person to discover that dollar tree string. Love it for so many things! I also love making things with plain old bailer twine, except for the splinters in my fingers.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Isn't the dollar store twine awesome!? Is bailer twine like jute? If so, I definitely know what you mean about the splinters!
Susie Raviv says
Jess,
Thank you so much for this pattern. It has been the most inspirational pattern and design that I have followed. I have probably made at least a dozen of these baskets. I am the person in New England area who has probably bought out all the twine in the Dollar Store. I love the combination of materials used for for the basket. I have given many baskets to friends and family.
Your work is phenomenal. Thank you for sharing it all.
Susie
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Susie,
Thank you so much! I just loving hearing feedback like this because I too enjoy the texture of mixed materials AND getting all of them at a bargain! What lucky friends and family to receive these handmade gifts from you!
Happy basket making!
Jess
Sharon Powell says
Hi Jess, I just made and then remade this twine basket, which I LOVE!!! When I pulled it apart I wound all three strands on a tube. It was SO much easier to crochet that way. I am now crocheting my second basket but I started out by wrapping the 3 rolls of twine around one roll. I was so worth it!! Thanks for the great pattern!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh yeah, that's a great idea! Thanks for the tip, Sharon. So glad you're enjoying the pattern! 🙂
Jess
jacie marchetti says
Hello- have been crocheting with butchers string for some time now, but have noticed my placemats and some bowls are getting a yellowish brown color. Any idea how to stop that? I have bleached them out and within a few weeks they are turning again.
/
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hmm. I'm not sure about that, Jacie. I do know from using cloth diapers with my daughters though that the sun can do wonders to bleach things out. You might try setting them outside on a sunny day and see if that helps. 🙂
Cindy says
Love this on my way to Dollar Tree in a few minutes!!! Can't wait to make this basket I'll be making several. I also love the pop sickle shelves will be making them also.
I just recently found your blog and I love it!
Thank you
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh thanks so much, Cindy! I'm happy you're here! I've heard from a few readers who have recently had trouble finding that twine at Dollar Tree. If that's the case for you, two strands of Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton in "Ecru" would be similar in weight and look.
I think Dollar Tree has popsicle sticks too!
Happy crafting!
Jes
jacie marchetti says
some ACE Hardware stores carry the twine/string very reasonable. Big box stores like Mills Fleet stores and on-line. Google either twine or string.
Renee Trock says
my creative juices went out if control and I turned my basket into a purse! Thank you for the inspiration. Would love to share a pic if you'd like to see the finished product? Xo
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Ahhh! I love that when that happens! Of course I would LOVE to see a pic. You can email me at jess (at) makeanddocrew (dot) com or tag me on Instagram (@makeanddocrew). I can't wait to see it!
Jess
Anne says
These look fabulous. It's a good excuse to relearn how to crochet...I haven't done any since I was about 10 or so!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yes! That's about the age when I learned too. If you'd like to refresh your skills, I have a Modern Crochet 101 course that you can take for 99 cents with my instructor's referral link. 🙂 http://skl.sh/2aaucCf
Happy crocheting, Anne!
Jess
Sara says
hello! I am new to crochet and have a question about the pattern for the twine basket. Do I skip the slip stitch when starting round 1 or do I single crochet into it? My thought is that I should skip it so my counts come out correctly. I took your class on making the fingerless mitts and loved it!! I'm looking forward to making many of the items that you have on your blog! Thanks for your time!!
Sara says
sorry to leave 2 comments!!! I thought my first one did not post
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yay! I'm so happy to hear from a brand new crocheter! You're totally right that you skip the sl st so that it doesn't mess up your stitch counts. This causes the "seam" to slant a bit around the circle and that is totally normal.
Let me know if you have any other questions, Sara!
Sara Davis says
Hello! I am new to crochet and making the twine basket from your pattern. My question is about the slip stitch at the end of the first round. Do I skip over that when starting the second round and put my first 2 SC in the first stitch of the first round? I hope this question is clear! Thank you!!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Sarah, Hope you got my answer to your first comment. The first time you comment, it comes to me to be approved which is why it doesn't appear on the blog right away. 🙂
lynnie says
...oh i forgot to mention , i used a K hook - didn't have an L hook and i only used ONE strand of acrylic yarn!
PS: I went today and bought 10 rolls of the dollar store twine - i'm planning on making a ton of these for gifts.