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!
lynnie says
hi!! i made your pattern and i LOVE it. instead of the dollar store twine, for my first try at it, i used regular chunky acrylic yarn i had lying around. I used a TIGHT single crochet all around and it stands up just great !!!! i used a regular woven cotton belt since i could not find any really aged leather like yours.
A also made mine bigger. The bottom of mine is about 12 inches in diameter. it stands about 10 inches tall.
i placed a styrofoam dinner plate on the bottom to hold the round shape and that worked great.
I also made mine taller and turned or rolled the top edge over, 1 inch, like a cuff. that seems to make the whole thing stand better, straighter, stronger – and not flop over.
thank you for a wonderful gorgeous pattern.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh how cool, Lynnie! That sounds like an awesome adaptation of the pattern. I love it when people put their own spin on things. I’d love to see a pic if you’d like to share one.
I’m also glad to hear you found some dollar store twine. For a while it seemed like Dollar Tree had stopped carrying it. Is that where you found yours?
Shannon Murphy says
I also had discovered dollar store twine and love it. I created a cute little purse and added colored stripes with a #5 crochet thread to make it more colorful. As soon as my sister saw it, she snatched it for her own, so I have no photo of it. But it was cute and I will be making something else with the twine, just haven’t figured out what yet. I enjoy your blog and see a few cute things I plan to try. Thank you for your generosity.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
That sounds so cool! I love the idea of the colorful accent. Isn’t this dollar store twine nice? I really love the texture it creates. And I’m happy to hear that Dollar Tree seems to be stocking it again. Is that where you found yours?
Megan Lacey says
Wow! I love this basket! I’m definitely going to have to dig my crocheting hooks out. I’m pretty sure I have the right size. So neat! It looks like it came from an expensive store like Pottery Barn. Absolutely love it. You’re fabulous. 🙂
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks so much, Megan. That’s exactly what I loved about this dollar store twine too–it looks high end, doesn’t it? I just love that it’s actually from the dollar store of all places. 🙂
Rachel says
I like the pattern, but it doesn’t really stand up unless something is inside it, which kind of bummed me out.
But as long as you don’t expect it to stand on it’s own, it’s awesome! ?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hmm. It sounds like maybe it’s a little too loose to really have the stiffness to stand up? Did you use the same twine from the dollar store? If you make another one, you might want to decrease your hook size to get a tighter gauge. I think that would help a lot!
Tammy Winkler says
Genius!! I went to the Dollar Tree today and am working on it now. How would you make it larger? I think the next one I will dip the bottom in some “dye” and see what that does. Thanks for posting!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Tammy,
I love that idea of dip dying it! I’ve actually had a similar thought because I think the twine would be really absorbent. Will you send me a pic if you try it? I’d love to see how it turns out!
tammy says
I will send a picture of one that I dip dye. I am not sure how to make a larger one unless I follow the pattern up to the point before single crochets begin.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Tammy, to make a larger one, just continue in the same increase pattern until the bottom circle is as big as you want it. So each round you’ll do an increase every 8 stitches, then every 9 stitches, then every 10 stitches, then every 11…
Does that make sense?
Diane says
I was thinking of dying one of the strands to have a very uderstated verigated look. I like the idea of dipping it too’
Maria says
I can’t wait to get started on this basket. It’ll look great in the living room holding some magazine.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
You’re welcome, Maria! I think it’ll make a great magazine basket!
Deanna says
Thank You for the pattern I’m starting now I am planning on making mine more laundry basket size. I have trouble carrying a basket full of clothes & I think this will be easier to carry since the twine is so lightweight & not a stiff shape.. Thanks for saving me some pain love the pattern. Since I will be carrying it I’m going to use old purse handles and sew them on very tight. I work slow because I have hand pain & cramps but eventually I hope to share a pic. Thanks Again!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I’d love to see a pic, Deanna! The purse handles sound like such a cool solution. I love repurposing things I don’t need anymore.
Good luck and lots of love to your hands 🙂
Jess
Terri says
I’m so bummed! My basket just won’t stand on it’s own. It doesn’t have any stiffness. I bought the cotton twine from Dollar Tree but it wasn’t stiff enough. Wondering if I dipped in liquid starch and shaped it if it would dry standing up ?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh man, that really is such a bummer when a project doesn’t turn out. I’m guessing the answer is yes, but did you use three strands of string together for the basket? That’s what makes the gauge tight enough to stand up. If you decide to make the basket again, I bet sizing the hook down could make the fabric dense enough to stand up. I bet liquid starch might do the trick though. I don’t have a lot of experience with it, but it sounds like a great idea to me.
Abby says
I’m so bummed I want to make this so bad but I can’t find the cotton twine at any dollar tree! I was hoping this could be an I expensive project for gifts. Any other ideas where to find for less then $4 a roll?
Thanks!!
Bridget says
I recently discovered the Tool Bench Cotton Twine a couple of weeks ago. The Dollar Tree still sell the twine (I live in the Detroit area). As of right now I’m using it as yarn to make a bikini with it. (I don’t consider it to be twine; my definition of twine is a material that is a lot stiffer). In the near future, I’m going to experiment dyeing the “yarn” as well. Wish me luck.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh cool! That is seriously rock star to be making a bikini from Dollar Store twine! I’m glad you were able to get your hands on some! I’d love to see how it looks dyed. I’ve been wondering as well!
Meegan Driftmier says
i would love to buy two of these baskets if you’re willing and able to make them… i’m looking to use them to hang up on the wall in my children’s rooms to put their stuffed animals in. LOVE these baskets!! nicely done.
meswimwear@gmail.com
Trudi Minty says
Would like to get the free pattern for crochet basket.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Trudi,
It’s right above this comment area, toward the bottom of the blog post. 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Kemba says
Thank you for this pattern and tutorial. As a beginner it was easy to follow and I am very happy with the results. It will be a gift for my friend.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yay, Kemba! That is one of the nicest compliments I could receive. And what an impressive beginner project. I’m sure your friend will love it!
Jess
Rita S. says
Love this idea…it has sooo many possibilities! I have to give it a try! Couple questions. What is the size of the finished project; and would this be washable?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Rita,
I’m sorry for the delay in my response! The basket is about 9″ wide and 6.5″ tall. I think you could def spot wash it, but I don’t know if the leather handles would fare well in the washing machine. Without the leather handles, I think you’d be able to wash it in the machine on a delicate setting.
Hope that helps!
Jess