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!
Suzi Simoni says
Hi Jess, Thank you so much for this basket pattern. I just finished it for my cousin new baby to fill with baby books. I increased the base to 20 rows and the size is perfect for this use. Absolutely love it so much I am remaking it for my beach house….
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Suzi,
You’re very welcome! I bet it will be adorable to hold books. I might just use mine for that too! And the texture will be beautiful in a beach house. How fun to have two houses to design and DIY for!
Happy crocheting 🙂
Jess
Nicole says
I am so excited to make this! I want to make a very large basket to hold bath towels. I’d like the bottom to be a foot and a half to two feet wide. When I read your pattern, I am wondering which row #s are for the bottom and which are for the sides? ( so I know which part to make bigger for the bottom). Thanks so much for this pattern, I am so pumped to make it!!!!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yay, Nicole! I think this would be great for bath towels. In this pattern, the sides start on row 12. So to make it wider, you could just continue in the increasing pattern for the bottom a while longer before you stop increasing and just work around and around and around. You might also consider putting more than 3 strands together so that your strand is a bit thicker. It’ll go faster that way, if you’re interested in that.
I’d love to see a pic if you want to share!
Jess
Paula says
Hi Jess,
I enjoy your blog and videos! I plan on making this basket soon. I got my materials today! I do have a question about the amount od twine needed… did you mean to say 2000 FEET (not YARDS) of twine are needed for this project? Your durections say approximately 2000 YARDS are needed. However, using 6 rolls at 240 FEET per roll yields 2500 FEET and 640 YARDS of twine. I did purchase six rolls as you suggested. I will get more if needed. Thanks again
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I sure did, Paula! Thanks so much for catching that mistake! I corrected it above. 6 rolls should be enough for the basket, plus some leftover on each of the last three rolls.
I’d love to see a pic when you’re finished if you’d like to share 🙂
Jess
Paula says
Ok, great! Yes, I will have to upload a pic when I am finished! Thanks for the pattern idea!
Kathy says
HI Jess, I finished my basket! Id like to send you a pic. Thanks so much for the pattern. Will be checking out some more of tour patterns soon. I love all the pic’s of the project. Really helps a lot.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yay, Kathy! So happy to hear that. I was just refilling my basket today. I hope you get a lot of use out of yours.
And thanks for your kind words about my photos. I really work hard on them so I love knowing they’re helpful to you.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Kathy says
I spoke to soon Jess. It took a while but is now starting to “bowl”. Can’t wait to finish and put the belt on. Thanks again for the pattern!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Haha–I often think I’m doing every thing “wrong” too and then it often turns out right before I give up 🙂
So glad it worked out for you, Kathy.
Kathy says
HI Jess.i love this pattern so much!. Picked up a couple of belts and the twine yesterday. I have made many baskets but this one so far looks like a big pancake. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. It’s not turning into a ” bowl” like other baskets I’ve made. Any ideas? I really want this basket. 🙂 thanks, Kathy
Marie says
Love this bag pattern, I am going to try it, hopefully it will turn out..
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yay, Marie! I hope you enjoy it! I’d love to see a pic when you’re finished if you’d like to share one.
Jess
Elsa says
This is a perfect project to organize stuff for me.Gracias
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I hope it gets all your stuff organized, Elsa! I need all the help I can get in that category, unfortunately. :/
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Jessica says
Love this Jess!
Sharing on Facebook.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks so much for sharing, Jessica. I always appreciate it. 🙂
Tammy says
Hi Jess, love the bags made with twine. Do you have a pattern to make bags similar, so I may take them to the grocery store
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Tammy,
I think this twine would make a lovely bag as well! I don’t currently have a pattern for one, but I would love to create one. I’ll add it to the list. 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Julie says
Beautiful and so practical. I love the recycled belt idea. Pinning thanks.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing the pattern, Julie! I really appreciate both.
Jess
Jill says
So nice can’t wait to get started on the bag, love the coasters and the Popsicle shelves. Your very creative. Thanks for sharing. Jill
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Aw, thanks, Jill. I really appreciate your kind words and love knowing that someone is getting creative enjoyment out of my tutorials.
Happy crafting!
Jess
tammy says
Hi, my name is Tammy.. would life to see the coasters and popsicle shelves. Thank you. I seen a little girls pictures on facebook, she had this crocheted or knitted long shirt, with large buttons on the side. When you laid it flat it was a big rectangle with the head hole in the middle.
Marce Speake says
You can do one for an adult too, just make it large enough to fit. It makes a great beach cover up or summer dress. You can also make it in a one piece with only one side and the same side shoulder bottoned up. Buy the cone Lilly cotton on sale or with a coupon at Michaels or JoAnns.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Love that idea, Marce!