Summer is here, and while I’m still being careful to follow social distancing recommendations, summer would not be complete without backyard BBQs, picnics in the park, and other opportunities to gather with friends and family (at the appropriate distance of course). I love adding a little patriotic flare to any table spread in the summer - between Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day there are plenty of opportunities to showcase the red, white and blue - and this basket is perfect for serving up snacks, holding miscellaneous items, or adding extra pop to a table centerpiece.

This pattern was so easy to work up that it’s also my new favorite basket design for any occasion - simply swap out the red, white and blue for other colors of your choice and it’s a great basket for any season!

I have tried a few different basket patterns in the past and have typically been disappointed because either a) they call for some sort of plastic insert, which I never have on hand, or b) the sides of the basket turn out flimsy and don’t hold their shape. What I love about this pattern is that the sides are nice and sturdy and there is no additional plastic insert required!

A few additional notes about this pattern:

Working with double strand of yarn: throughout the entire pattern, I used 2 strands of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn (weight category 4) held together to increase the sturdiness of the basket. There is no real trick to this method, you simply treat the two strands held together as if they were one strand of yarn and crochet like you normally would.
Using the spike stitch to strengthen the sides of the basket: every row of the side of the basket consists of a row of SC (part a) followed by a row of spike stitches (part b) which will wrap around the SC from the previous round thus creating a sturdier row.
Changing colors: when changing colors, I chose to tie off and cut one color and then start the second color. This method requires weaving in the ends of each stripe of color but it also makes for cleaner color changes. Alternatively, if you don’t want to tie off, cut, and weave in ends for each color change, you can simply carry the yarn up the inside of the basket. This makes for less work as you don’t have to weave in ends, but the carried yarn will be visible on the inside of the basket. The choice is yours.

SPECIFICATIONS

SIZES

Finished size: ~7" diameter x 3.5" height

MATERIALS

Hook: Size H crochet hook. This is my favorite crochet hook and yarn needle set I got from WooCrafts. The set is really affordable and comes with 9 different-sized crochet hooks, 8 yarn needles, stitch markers and a cute carrying case.

Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn in red (~90 yds), white (~40 yds), and navy (~40 yds).

Yarn or tapestry needle

Scissors

ABBREVIATIONS

MR = magic ring - find a great tutorial here
Ch = chain
Sl st = slip stitch
SC = single crochet
SC Sp St = single crochet spike stitch. The way a spike stitch works is that instead of inserting your hook into the top loos of the stitch, you insert them into its base, then complete a SC; tutorial can be found here.

INSTRUCTIONS

Basket Base

Note: the entire basket is worked with two strands of yarn held together.

To start: Mr, SC 6 inside MR, sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 2: 2 SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (12 sts)

Rd 3: *SC 1, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (18 sts)

Rd 4: *SC 2, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (24 sts)

Rd 5: *SC 3, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (30 sts)

Rd 6: *SC 4, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (36 sts)

Rd 7: *SC 5, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (42 sts)

Rd 8: *SC 6, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (48 sts)

Rd 9: *SC 7, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (54 sts)

Rd 10: *SC 8, then 2 SC in next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1 (60 sts)

Basket Sides

Rd 11a: SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 11b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join

Rd 12a: switch to white yarn, SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 12b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join

Rd 13a: switch to red yarn, SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 13b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join

Rd 14a: switch to white yarn, SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 14b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join

Rd 15a: switch to red yarn, SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 15b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join

Rd 16a: switch to blue yarn, SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 16b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1

Rd 17a: SC in each st around; sl st to first SC to join

Rd 17b: switch to white yarn *SC sp st, ch1, skip next st; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC sp st to join

Rd 18a: switch to blue yarn, *SC in first sp st, then SC in the space created by the ch1; repeat from * around; sl st to first SC sp st to join, ch1

Rd 18b: SC sp st in each st around; sl st to first SC to join, ch1, TURN

Rd 19: sl st in each st around, sl to first st to join, tie off. Weave in all ends.

***You may make and sell products from my patterns but if you do I ask that you link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own, or attempt to sell this pattern. Please do not re-publish photos as your own.

Crocheted Patriotic Basket