Mauve Plum Mini Basket Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Mauve Plum Mini Basket is the perfect little project for anyone who wants a quick, satisfying crochet win. It's beginner-friendly, worked entirely in single crochet with two strands of yarn held together, so the fabric comes out dense and sturdy enough to actually hold things. At about 3 inches wide and 3 inches tall, it's just right for corralling jewelry, hair ties, paper clips, or a few stray buttons on your desk. The horizontal plum and mauve stripes give it a soft, warm look that feels cozy and modern at the same time, and the whole thing works up in an afternoon.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) acrylic yarn, two strands held together throughout: about 50 yards plum and 50 yards mauve.
• Hook: 6.0 mm (J-10) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors.
• Finished size: Approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter and 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc – increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• rnd(s) – round(s).

Gauge

4 single crochet stitches x 4 rounds = 2 inches (5 cm) with two strands held together. To check, crochet a small flat swatch and measure a 2-inch section across the stitches and up the rounds; adjust your hook size if needed.

Tips Before You Start

• Hold both strands together as if they were one yarn, and keep the tension even so the stripes stay flat and the basket doesn't lean.
• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, since the basket is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a round so the new color starts cleanly.
• Don't pull the color changes too tight, or the basket may pucker at the stripe lines.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Base (plum)

With two strands of plum held together, make a magic ring. Work in continuous rounds without joining.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] around (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] around (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] around (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] around (36 sts).

Sides

Continue in continuous rounds without joining. Change colors as noted.

Rnd 7: sc in each st around (36 sts). Change to mauve.

Rnds 8-9: sc in each st around (36 sts). Change to plum.

Rnds 10-11: sc in each st around (36 sts). Change to mauve.

Rnds 12-13: sc in each st around (36 sts). Change to plum.

Rnds 14-15: sc in each st around (36 sts). Change to mauve.

Rnd 16: sc in each st around (36 sts). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

There is no seaming needed for this basket. Weave in all ends on the inside of the basket, running each tail through a few stitches in the same color to secure it. To help the basket hold its shape, you can lightly steam block it: mist the fabric, shape it into a neat cylinder around a small cup or jar, and let it dry completely. Avoid heavy wet blocking, which can stretch the acrylic.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make a set in different color pairs and nest them for a pretty desk or shelf display.
• Add one more round of single crochet in a contrasting color at the rim for a crisp finished edge.
• Use cotton yarn instead of acrylic for a firmer, more structured basket that stands up on its own.