A sturdy round crochet basket in cotton cord — perfect for towels, yarn, or bathroom storage. Full pattern, blocking notes, and how to make it hold its shape.
A cotton-cord crochet basket is the fastest way to add warm, handmade texture to a room. Ten hours of work, a spool of cord, and you have a piece that would cost $60 at a boutique home store. This pattern makes a 10-inch-tall basket wide enough to hold rolled towels, balls of yarn, or laundry — and small enough to sit on a bathroom shelf.
Look for 8 mm single-strand cotton cord (sometimes labeled as 'macramé rope' or 'crochet cord'). Braided cord is easier on the hands than twisted cord, but twisted cord fringes beautifully if you want a decorative edge later. You'll need roughly 200 yards for this size.
Comfortably intermediate. You should be comfortable working in the round, using back-loop-only stitches, and counting your rounds. There is no colorwork or shaping beyond a flat circle base and a straight cylinder.
About 10 in tall × 11 in diameter, without a rim. It comfortably fits three rolled bath towels or a project's worth of yarn.
Round 8: sc in BLO of each st around. (42 sts) This BLO round creates a crisp 90-degree turn — the base becomes flat and the sides start climbing straight up.
Rounds 9–25: sc in each st around (both loops). (42 sts on each round) After Round 25, your basket should measure about 10 in tall.
Round 26: hdc in each st around. Sl st to close. Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch tail for weaving in.
Cotton cord holds its shape well on its own, but for a truly crisp finish: mist the finished basket lightly with water, stuff it with rolled towels to hold its cylinder shape, and let it dry for 24 hours. For extra structure, spray the sides lightly with fabric stiffener before stuffing.
For side handles, on Round 22, ch 8, sk 6 sts, sc in the 7th st, and continue around. Repeat directly opposite. On the next round, work 8 sc across the chain space instead of the sts. The result is a clean cutout handle on each side.
This pattern takes an average crocheter 8–12 hours. Cord is heavier than yarn, so it works up quickly but is harder on the hands — plan for shorter sessions.
8 mm single-strand cotton cord (sometimes sold as macramé rope). Braided cord is gentlest on the hands; twisted cord looks more rustic and fringes beautifully.
Yes, but the basket won't hold its shape as well without stiffener. Chunky (bulky #5 or super-bulky #6) yarn on a 9 mm hook produces a soft, slouchy basket best used for stuffed toys or lightweight items.
Three things: use cotton cord (not yarn), work with tight tension, and shape the finished basket by stuffing it while damp. A spray of fabric stiffener adds another layer of structure for baskets that will hold heavier items.
Spot clean only. Full submersion causes the cord to lose its shape. If the basket ever needs a deep clean, wash it, then re-shape it by stuffing while damp and letting it dry fully.
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