Looking for pretty storage? How about making a chunky knit basket to contain your bits & bobs? There’s no reason your small supplies can’t be organized into a custom knit basket that you made yourself. It will add just the right touch to your craft space. I’m going to say something that may be controversial – I really dislike plastic storage containers! They may be practical and functional, but there’s just something special about a handmade knitted item that can be used for storage. These baskets are just as functional as the plastic bins, but SO much prettier! Keep reading for my FREE knit basket pattern made with chunky yarn.

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How to Make a Knit Basket

Can you knit a basket?

Yes! It’s easy to knit a basket in the round. The free knitted basket pattern is worked from the top down on circular needles in the round. Once you join stitches for the first round, you just keep working in rounds until decreasing at the bottom of the basket.

You will need the following supplies to make this chunky knit basket:

Supplies

• Size 13 (9.0 mm) circular needles at least 24″ length for Magic Loop method (or size 13 DPN’s)
• 1 skein of Wool Ease Thick & Quick size 6 yarn (106 yds per skein) to make size Medium basket
  • Color: Wheat
  • or similar weight yarn
• scissors
• tapestry needle
• optional ‘Handmade’ leather tag

Knitting Abbreviations

CO – cast on

K – knit stitch                                              

P – purl stitch   

sts – stitches

Rep – repeat

PATTERN INFORMATION

I enjoy naming my crochet and knit patterns after local New England places of interest.

This “Barnstable Basket” is named after the rural town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. The chunky basket evokes a simple, farmhouse style that can be useful in a country setting. Can you envision many of these baskets tucked away in a country bedroom, filled with buttons and yarn? (But it would also look stylish in a modern city apartment!)

 The FREE knit basket scarf pattern for a Medium sized basket is provided below.

• but you can also get the ad-free, printable pdf KNIT STORAGE BASKET PATTERN in the ETSY SHOP!  The pdf has helpful photos included, as well as an additional pattern for a smaller basket size.

Before we begin on this pattern, are you a brand new knitter? You may be interested in taking my knitting class first, to master the basics …

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EASY KNIT BASKET PATTERN

Gauge: 4″ (10cm) square = 8.5 sts by 15 rows (in stockinette pattern). NOTE – gauge is not critical.

How do you knit a basket?

NOTES: First, you will begin the top of the basket by casting on, joining in the round, and knitting several rounds of ribbing.

Next, you will knit in stockinette pattern to form the body of basket.

Next, you will decrease stitches to form the bottom of the basket.

Lastly, you will close up the bottom and add an optional leather tag.

Instructions are as follows for how to knit a basket in the round…

Chunky Knit Basket Pattern

With size 13 circular needles, CO 40 sts with size 6 yarn.

Your circular needles should be at least 24″ length if you choose to use the Magic Loop method throughout the entire basket.

Join to work in the round

Place a stitch marker (SM) after the last stitch you casted on. This will help you to count each round going forward. In each subsequent round, simply slide the SM to the other needle.

At this point, your ‘right-hand’ needle holds the last st casted on, while the ‘left-hand’ needle holds the first st casted on.

Next, being careful that the stitches on your circular needle are not twisted, join the last st casted on with the first st in round by knitting the first st. This is the first stitch in Round 1 (see below).

Top of basket

Rounds 1-4: *K1, p1; repeat from * around.

Body of basket

Rounds 5-26: Knit around.

Bottom of basket

You may need to use a Magic Loop for the following decrease rounds, or DPN’s. See THIS VIDEO by KnitPicks.com for a terrific tutorial on the Magic Loop method.

Round 27: K2tog around. (20 sts)

Round 28: K2tog around. (10 sts)

Round 29: K2tog around. (5 sts)

Cut 6-8″ tail from working yarn.

Using a tapestry needle, weave the tail back through the last 5 sts.

Pull tail to tighten and close gap at the bottom of basket, then secure yarn.

Finishing the Basket

Weave in ends.

Flatten out bottom of basket and stand upright.

Fold top ribbing over sides of basket. This is the final height of basket.

Add an optional leather tag label to ribbing by sewing it on with coordinated thread.

Important Tips for Knitting your Basket

Some things to keep in mind as you knit the chunky basket are:

• Use a stitch marker or piece of other yarn to mark the beginning of each round.
• The Right Side (RS) of the basket will face you as you knit in the round. Working Knit stitches in the round forms a Stockinette pattern.
• Try not to add rounds to the basket, as a shorter basket is more sturdy.
• Work in a Magic Loop when decreasing stitches for the bottom of the basket (or you could use DPN’s).

Finished Size

The finished Medium sized basket measures approximately 20″ circumference by 4.5″ height. 

Using your Knit Basket

Tuck small skeins of yarn, needles, knitting supplies, or other craft items into the basket and place it on your storage shelf. The gorgeous chunky yarn will conceal your bits & bobs, while enhancing the look of your organized shelves. You can brag that you made it yourself!

What color yarn would you use for your baskets? Lion Brand has so many terrific colors to choose from in the WOOL EASY THICK & QUICK yarn series, it may take you a while to choose your favorite. I’m particularly partial to using the Wheat, Fisherman, or Grey Marble colors for these cozy baskets.

Don’t forget that this knit basket pattern is also available in a digital pdf pattern.  The pdf has helpful photo tutorials as well as instructions to make the smaller sized basket.  You’ll be able to make multiples of baskets in both sizes, then group them on your shelves or tables. Grab the CHUNKY KNIT BASKET PATTERN in my Etsy shop.

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