Nidi Baskets · Crochet Pattern

This pattern contains yarn that was gifted by Lana Grossa for review.

You’ll know by now that storage and anything related to craft spaces is my thing, and one of the best things about being crafty and ✨crochety✨ is being able to make your very own storage solutions instead of buying them.

A few months ago, Lana Grossa were kind enough to send me some of their wonderful Feltro wool yarn to try out, and the first thing I thought was HOMEWARE! As I’m trying to make my craft space a little more minimalist and easy on the eye, some pretty baskets were the first thing I thought of designing. Baskets aren’t only really useful, they’re also the perfect confident beginner project, quick to make and extremely satisfying and gratifying for newer crocheters to work up. They also make lovely little gifts and are very addictive. I warn you, once you make one you won’t be able to stop!

Nesting baskets are a great way of saving space and storing things nicely, especially small items that can be easy to lose like stitch markers, beads and buttons, fabric labels and tags and even business cards. I really wanted to use natural fibers for these baskets as they give a really rustic yet modern look and, combined with simple stitches that give density and wonderful texture, there’s something simple yet very special about how these look.

NIDI BASKETS · PATTERN · LEVEL: Confident Beginner

YARN: super chunky yarn of your choice, ideally in 100% wool or a 50/50 wool blend. I used Lana Grossa Feltro in the shades 093, 110 and 070. The amount of yarn you use will depend on the size of the basket you want but one ball is enough to make a S/M-sized basket.

TOOLS & NOTIONS: 6.00 mm crochet hook, scissors, yarn needle and a stitch marker.

SKILLS (US TERMS): Chain stitch (ch), single crochet (sc), single crochet through the back loop only (sc blo),
half double crochet (hdc), slip stitch (sl st).
You’ll also need to know how to weave in your ends and work in the round.

Note: all single crochet stitches are worked YARN UNDER instead of yarn over.
When working the sides of the basket do not chain at the beginning of each round. Instead mark the beginning with a stitch marker and move it up at the end of each round.

TIPS: You can change the size of the basket by making the base as big or small as you like. In order to do this, stop working increase rounds and move to the ‘SIDES OF BASKET’ section when the base is a size you’re happy with.

SIZE: varies depending on the size of the basket you choose to make. My samples measure the following:
Pink: 5cm/10cm
Teal: 4cm/10cm
Mustard: 5.5cm/10cm

Method:

BASKET BASE
Chain 5 (or make a magic ring) and sl st into the first ch to join and make a circle.
Ch 2 and work 9 hdc into centre of ring. Sl st into top of ch 2 (10 hdc).
Ch 2. 2 hdc into each st around. Sl st into top of ch 2. (20 hdc)
Ch 2. Work one hdc into same place as the ch. *Work one hdc into next st, 2 hdc into next st*. Sl st into top of ch 2 (30 hdc).

Continue this way (increasing the number of stitches between the 2st increase by 1 each round) until the base is as big as you want.

SIDES OF BASKET

Do not ch. Work one sc blo in every st for one round. This forms the ‘folded’ looking edge of the base.
Work sc (yarn under) for as many rounds as you like.

When you’re happy with the height, work one round of sl st. This creates a pretty edge and draws the edge of your work in slightly, creating a neat edge that looks like a bowl. Break your yarn and weave in the ends securely.
You’re done!

These baskets look particularly lovely lined up together or nested, especially when you make them in complementary colours. It’s a lot of fun to experiment with colour theory and matching shades to add a really modern look to your space. If you enjoyed this pattern don’t forget to share, leave a comment and tag me on social media using the hashtag #nidibaskets! I’d love to see your beautiful creations… 💕