Hi guys! I don’t post on Instagram anymore, so I guess my blog is becoming the place to share updates on my current projects. A couple of days ago, I got the urge to crochet a rope coil basket. I’ve only crocheted 1 basket before this, so I’m definitely not an expert. But I thought it would be fun to share my progress as I go along, so you can crochet one too!
I am notorious for not taking notes as I go, but I plan to make at least 8 baskets, so I need to remember how to make them. Hence, this blog post.
This is going to be a very rough pattern – there won’t be step-by-step pictures because I am still in the process of making it. If you prefer written instructions, then this will be perfect!
I am making this up as I go along, but I did find a similar crochet rope coil basket pattern on Etsy by JaKiGu – here. It had great reviews! Apparently, there are 80+ step-by-step pictures included in the pattern, along with helpful tips about tension. So if you prefer step-by-step pictures, then this seems like a great option.
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Why Crochet a Basket?
I recently purchased an IKEA KALLAX – a 16 cube storage unit – to help me organize my yarn stash and optimize the storage in my craft room. This unit fits perfectly along one side of my dormered wall, and provides tons of functional storage. I actually have a place for my yarn now!
When I set it up and put my yarn inside, I realized that I had a lot of extra cubes available. So I had the idea of filling the empty cubes with bins – one bin for each project I’m working on. This means that when I want to work on a project, I can grab the bin from the cube, and get to work.
Each bin has a note with the hook size I am using, along with my project and yarn. I love how easy it is to switch from one project to another now!
What’s the Problem?
Well, I didn’t have enough fabric bins to fill my storage unit, so I had to order some from Amazon. They were a great price – $20 for 6 bins, which works out to $3.33/bin. Once I got them though, there were 2 issues:
- #1: The bins were too small. Each cube in the unit measures 13″ x 13″ x 13″, so to optimize the storage, you would need a 13″ x 13″ x 13″ fabric bin. However, I ordered 11″ x 11″ x 11″ bins by mistake.
- #2: They smelled really bad, like heavy duty chemicals.
I tried to return the bins, but Amazon would only let me return them to the UPS store the same night I received them, and the store was already closed. So I had no choice but to keep them.
I can deal with the bins being too small, but the smell really bothered me. I had them in my room for a few days, with all the windows open, hoping to air out the bins. It didn’t work though, so my next plan was to take the yarn out of the bins, and set them outside for a week to breathe. After a week, they still smelled the same, so I didn’t know what else to do.
It’s now been a couple of months since I purchased these bins, and they are currently being stored in my basement.
My yarn and projects are in plastic bags – I have two huskies who shed like crazy, so the bags protect the yarn – until I can find a solution.
Solution:
I don’t want to buy more bins because I don’t want to wind up with the same awful smelling bins. So I decided to crochet some (or all) of my bins.
I know it will take me a while, but I’m excited. This way, I know the baskets will be good quality; I’ll be able to wash them if they get dirty; and they won’t smell!
Materials:
I haven’t worked out the exact amount of yarn needed because I am still in the process of crocheting the basket, but here are the supplies I am using:
- Lily Sugar and Cream Yarn – Ecru
- Mibro KingCord Polyester/Cotton Clothesline, 3/16″ x 100′ – Cotton Rope
- 4.0mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- Stitch Marker or Safety Pin
Measurement:
I am crocheting a circular basket that measures 13″ in diameter (from one end of the circle base to the other), and 13″ in height.
Construction of the Basket:
I am making a circular basket by crocheting over top of cotton rope. The rope helps the basket retain its shape and makes it sturdy. I chose to use Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton Yarn because it’s durable, it’s thick and sturdy, and it doesn’t pill or collect as much fur, as acrylic yarn.
Lily Sugar and Cream Yarn can be hard on the hands because it is not the softest cotton yarn, but I love the durability, the selection of colours, and the price point. This yarn is $2.49 USD/skein at Meijer for 200 yards, which makes it a great bang for your buck!
Total Estimated Cost for the Project:
So far, I am a little less than halfway through this basket, and I have used about 50′ of rope (half of one rope package), and 2 skeins of yarn.
So I am estimating that I will need 4-5 skeins of yarn, and 2 rope packages.
Rope Package (100′): $5.29 USD at Meijer
Yarn (1 Skein – 200 yds): $2.49 USD at Meijer
Total Cost:
- 2 Ropes = 10.58 USD
- 5 Skeins (1000 yds) = $12.45 USD
- Tax = 6%
- Total: $24.41
Plus the cost of labour! But, if you are crocheting a basket because you want to, then it really doesn’t feel like work.
So crocheting a rope basket is a lot pricier than purchasing a fabric bin from Amazon, but I noticed that a lot of large rope or stylish baskets cost between $20 – $100. Baskets are pricey!
Update on the Crochet Rope Coil Basket:
Here is how the crochet rope coil basket looks so far! I finished the base, and just started the sides. Good news: it fits perfectly inside the cube!
Abbreviations:
- Ch – chain
- St – stitch
- MR – magic ring
- Sl st – slip stitch
- Sc – single crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- Rnd – round
Pattern:
- This pattern is being written as I go along, which means it is not complete. I plan on adding handles, so I will update this post when I reach that part.
- The beginning ch 1 of Rnd 1 does not count as a st.
- Stitch counts are given at the end of each rnd in <>.
- This pattern is worked continuously in the rnd, which means that we do not join with a sl st. Instead, we continue crocheting in each st around. So always mark the first st of each new rnd with a stitch marker, so you know where the rnd starts/ends.
- Every st should be worked over top of the rope.
Make a MR.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, working over top of the rope, 9 sc in MR. Pull tight to close the MR. Mark the first sc with a stitch marker – this will be the first st of Rnd 2. <9 sc>
Note for Rnds 2 and onward: Move the rope so it is sitting on top of the previous Rnd’s stitches, and crochet over top of it. Always mark the first st of the new rnd with a stitch marker.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. <18 sc>
Rnd 3: [Sc in st, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <27 sc>
Rnd 4: Sc in first st, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. <36 sc>
Rnd 5: [Sc in 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <45 sc>
Rnd 6: Sc in first 2 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 2 sts. <54 sc>
Rnd 7: [Sc in 5 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <63 sc>
Rnd 8: Sc in first 3 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 3 sts. <72 sc>
Rnd 9: [Sc in 7 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <81 sc>
Rnd 10: Sc in first 4 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 4 sts. <90 sc>
Rnd 11: [Sc in 9 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <99 sc>
Rnd 12: Sc in first 5 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 5 sts. <108 sc>
Rnd 13: [Sc in 11 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <117 sc>
Rnd 14: Sc in first 6 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 12 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 6 sts. <126 sc>
Rnd 15: [Sc in 13 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <135 sc>
Rnd 16: Sc in first 7 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 7 sts. <144 sc>
Rnd 17: [Sc in 15 sts, 2 sc in next st] 9 times. <153 sc>
Rnd 18: Sc in first 8 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts] 8 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 8 sts. <162 sc>
This completes the base of the basket – it should measure approximately 13″ in diameter (from one end of the circle to the other).
Rnd 19 helps the basket start to stand straight!
Rnd 19: Sc in BLO of each st around. <162 sc>
Rnd 20: Sc in each st around. <162 sc>
Rnds 21 and on: Repeat Rnd 20.
The basket will look wonky for a few rnds, but at the end of Rnd 24, you should start to see it take shape. Continue to repeat Rnd 20 until the basket reaches your desired height. For my basket, I will repeat Rnd 20 until it reaches 12″ high, and then add handles! I will update the pattern with the handle instructions, once I reach this part.
End Note:
I hope you enjoyed this post, and this rough, half-complete crochet rope coil basket pattern. If you enjoy these quick updates, then I think you’ll enjoy this post – here!
Love, Dayna
