CROCHET BASKET WITH DRAWSTRING (FREE CROCHET PATTERN)
This crochet basket doubles as a bag and is crocheted from an uncommon material, sisal bundling twine. With a drawstring lining, grommets and plastic canvas form for shape and stability, the Pacific Coast Basket
is an advanced crocheted bag pattern.
Finished Size
11(w) x 5
(h) x 5" (d) [28 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm]
Gauge 10 sc x 10 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Design Notes
- This pattern demonstrates how to make the front, base, and back in one piece using back post stitches to turn the corner. An alternative method would be to make separate pieces for the front, back, and base, then whipstitch (see page 48) them together at the end.
- Inserting the plastic canvas form allows the basket to retain its structure even when being carried.
- If you will be hand sewing the fabric, use 1/8 to 1/4-inch (3 to 6 mm) backstitches.
Stitch Guide Bpsc (back post single crochet): Working around the body (or post) of the sc from the previous row, insert the hook from back to front to back again, yo and draw through a loop, yo and draw through both loops on the hook.
Step 1
Materials 2 spools 1-ply sisal bundling twine (100 yards [91.5 m] medium-weight 100% sisal per spool) in natural Size 6.5 mm (K/101/2) hook Yarn needle 2 sheets 101/2 x 131/2-inch (27 x 34 cm) plastic canvas (optional) 1/2 yard (0.5 m) blue plaid cotton fabric, for outer lining 1/2 yard (0.5 m) linen fabric, for inner lining Pins Sewing needle Thread to match inner lining fabric Chalk 10 (7/16-inch [1 cm]) grommets, in silver Scissors or hole punch Grommet-setting tool Hammer 50 inches (127 cm) 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide cotton webbing trim in brown 2 (11/4-inch [3 cm]) D-rings in silver Thread to match webbing
Step 2
Main Panel: Front, Base, and Back
With sisal twine and hook, loosely ch 28.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn – 27 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until front measures 5 inches (13 cm) ending on a WS row.
Turn for base: Ch 1, bpsc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until base measures 5 inches (13 cm) ending on a WS row.
Turn for back: Ch 1, bpsc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until back measures 5 inches (13 cm) or the same as for front.
Fasten off and weave in loose ends with a yarn needle.
Step 3
Side (Make 2)
Loosely ch 13.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn –12 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures 5 inches (13 cm).
Fasten off and weave in loose ends.
Step 4
Finishing With RS facing, whipstitch one side panel to the main panel. Repeat for second side. Weave in loose ends. Follow the instructions on page 46 to spray block the piece and shape to finished dimensions. Stuff the main panel with plastic grocery bags to help the basket keep its shape until it is completely dry.
Step 5
Plastic Canvas Form Cut three 11 by 5-inch (28 by 13 cm) and two 5-inch-square (13 cm) pieces of canvas. The larger pieces make up the front, base, and back of the basket and the two smaller pieces make up the sides. Make sure the pieces will fit snugly in the basket and trim edges as necessary. Lay one long section on top of a second long section and whipstitch along one long edge to join. Open the pieces. With the whipstitched seam facing down, lay the third long section on top of one of the other two and whipstitch the long side to the remaining long side of the second piece. Open up the three pieces and whipstitch around three sides of a 5-inch (13 cm) square to each side of the plastic canvas basket. Insert the plastic form into the crochet basket. With sisal and the yarn needle, sew the top edge of the plastic canvas to the crochet basket with 1/2-inch (1 cm) running stitches.
Step 6
Lining Cut two 17 by 8-inch (43 by 20 cm) pieces of outer lining fabric and two 17-inch-square (43 cm) pieces of inner lining fabric. With RS together, pin one piece of inner liner to the long edge of one piece of outer liner. Repeat for the remaining piece (if your outer lining fabric has a pattern that has to be right-side up, the outer lining must be below the inner lining fabric when looking at it right-side up). With RS together and beginning with the outer layer, sew the long edges of both pieces together with a 1/2-inch (1 cm) seam allowance, pressing the seam toward the inner lining fabric, to form a tube. Do not turn right side out. With the outer lining at the top, slide the tube over the basket. Align the top edge of the tube with the top edge of the basket and sew with short backstitches 1/2 inch (1 cm) from the top (make sure the pattern on your outer lining is upside down).
Turn the lining RS out, pulling the fabric up and over the basket. Pushing a 1/2-inch (1 cm) seam allowance to the wrong side, pin and sew the open edge of the inner lining tube together. Push the inner lining into the basket.
To make the grommet band, ease the inner lining 11/4 inches (3 cm) out over the top of the outer lining to form a band and pin. Sew the band through all layers 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) from the bottom edge of the band to allow room for the grommets.
Step 7
Grommets Measure 10 holes equally spaced around the grommet band. With chalk, trace around the inside of the grommet and cut or punch each hole, trimming as necessary to fit the shaft of the grommet through the hole. Attach the grommets per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 8
Strap For the strap, thread 11/4 inches (3 cm) of the cotton webbing through both D-rings and sew with matching colored thread to secure. Weave the other end of the webbing in and out of the grommets and then fold it over 1/2 inch (1 cm) and sew. Thread the end of the webbing through the D-rings to secure like a belt.
Step 9
Variations
- Omit the fabric lining and use the crocheted sisal basket to store guest linens in the bathroom, or use with a tea towel to keep your dinner rolls warm on the family table.
- If you want to omit the D-ring closure, simply overlap the short ends of the cotton webbing by 1/2 inch (0.5 cm) and sew with matching colored thread.
- The size of the basket can be easily adjusted. To adjust the width of the basket, add or remove stitches across. To adjust the depth of the basket, add or remove rows on each side.
Step 10
Reprinted with permission from Uncommon Crochet: Twenty-Five Projects Made from Natural Yarns and Alternative Fibers
by Julie Armstrong Holetz, copyright © 2008. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group. Photo Credit: Angie Cao.
