Large Crocheted Basket

I saw a photo on Pinterest of some big, chunky, crocheted baskets.  I have tons of yarn so I am always looking for containers to hold it.  I found the pattern at allaboutami.com.  I, loosely, followed it, using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick in Grey Marble.  It took six skeins, holding two strands throughout.  I used a size "N" crochet hook.

My basket is 13" high and 16" in diameter.  I might cover cardboard with felt and make an insert for the bottom and sides to make the basket really stable.

Basically, this is how I made it.

Holding two strands, I chained 5, then slip stitched in the first chain to make a circle.  Chain 2, then 7 hdc in the circle.  The entire bottom is worked in the round, so you never slip stitch to end and start a new row.

2nd round -  Work 2 hdc in each hdc around.

3rd round - *work 2 hdc in first hdc, 1 hdc in next hdc, repeat from * around.

4th round - *work 2 hdc in first hdc. 1hdc in next 2 hdc, repeat from * around.

Continue working in rounds, increasing one more hdc after the stitches with 2 hdc in one hdc.  I did this for eight rounds.

Next round, sc in each back loop of each stitch. This starts the sides of the basket.  From this point on, work one hdc in each hdc until you get the basket as tall as you want it.

To make the handles.

Count how many stitches you have around the top.  Subtract 20.  Divide this number in half and that's the amount of stitches you will have between handles.

For example.  I had 60 stitches around.  So I sc in 10 stitches, chained 10 stitches for the handle, skip 10 stitches, sc in next 20 stitches, chain 10 for other handle, skip 10 stitches, sc in last 10 stitches.

On the last round, sc in each sc, 12 sc over the chain handles.  At the end slip stitch in next ditch and fasten off.

I hope that you could make sense out of this.  Feel free to ask questions.

That's it for today.

Peace,

Cyndi

More Crochet

I've been addicted to the crochet hook recently.  I'm into cowls and fingerless gloves.  They are quick so I don't lose interest and end up with only half of a project.  I actually have bags and bags of partially finished projects.

Here's some of the stuff I've finished in the past few days.

Fingerless gloves and cowl made with super soft wool and silk blend.

Fingerless gloves made with a wool/acrylic blend

This cowl was made with Loops and Threads yarn with tiny sequins throughout the yarn.

I can't remember which yarn I used for this one.  I think it's wool and silk too.  I used a size G hook for all of the pieces.

Tomorrow, I think I'm going to put down the hook and pick up my paint brush.  I have a cute, little, vintage writing desk that,desperately needs some chalk paint.

Peace,

Cyndi

Felted Crochet Doily Potholder

Crocheting is my favorite thing to do.  This was so easy and it's so cute.  It is not my own pattern.  I got it from a magazine last month (I'll let you know which one, if you are interested).  But, basically it is just crocheted in the round for a while, then you start adding some shells.  You have to use wool (or some other natural fiber yarn - acrylic will not felt!)  When it's finished you place it inside a mesh bag and throw it in the washing machine with a pair of jeans (for agitation).  Set the washer on super hot, then rinse in cold.  Check it out and if it's not felted enough, run it through another cycle.  Also, add about a quarter cup of laundry detergent.  Some people like to use dishwashing liquid when they felt, but laundry detergent has always worked fine for me.

If you've never felted before, you really need to check it out.  In the potholder, you can still see the stiches because it was crocheted with shells and popcorns, but when you felt in single or double crochet, and run it through the washer 2 or 3 times, you can no longer see the stiches.  It's just nice and thick and wooly.  You can cut into the project and it will not unravel.  I love it.

You could make smaller ones for coasters and a larger ones for placements.  They are very cheery and have a great texture.  AND, this one only took about an hour to crochet!