It’s my pleasure to introduce my first guest blogger, Donna Walker.

Donna has made some incredibly fun baskets by crocheting around bulky cords. When she showed a photo of the first one in the Snovej Circle, we went almost nuts! Several members have now tried their hands at this technique and Donna decided to write up a proper tutorial to help us out.

Donna is an avid crafter, mastering many techniques. She is a long-time member and admin of the Freeform Crochet World, and a member of our new group Snovej Circle. She seems to always have answers to our questions, and she finds links to sites that can help us.  This time she decided to write up a whole tutorial as well as start her own blog!

Her new blog is called Walker’s Whimsies, and so is her Facebook page. Go check them out!

Crocheted Coiled Baskets

Text and photos by Donna Walker, Walker’s Whimsies

This is a basic tutorial for how I create this type of basket. I hope that you all enjoy it.

Supplies

Scissors
Yarn Worsted weight
¼ inch approx. cord or rope

Yarn needle
crochet hook size E, F, or G
I used an E -3.50, but gauge is not as important to this project, so use whichever of
these is the most comfortable for you.
One large head straight pin.

DC = Double crochet (treble in UK)

SC = Single crochet (double crochet in UK)

Using only the yarn, chain 5, and slip stitch to join.
Row 1 Chain 3, and , DC 16 , into the ring. Slip stitch to join.

Row 2 Holding the cord next to the join, SC 2 into the top 2 loops of the next stitch, around the rope, and finish the stitch on the top of the rope. Make 2 SC in the next few stitches ,and pull gently on the rope, until the end is close to the first SC.

Through the body of the basket all SC’s should be in the top 2 loops, if you want a sturdy basket.

SC 2 into each stitch, all the way around. When you get to the place where the cord started, make 2 more SC into the first stitch, that went around the cord.

Place marker by pushing the pin through both cords and down into the DC section. Making sure that it is placed as pictured, this will keep you from getting poked.

Row 3 Increase row, * SC in the top 2 loops of the next 2 stitches, then 2 SC into the next stitch around.* Repeat to marker, move marker and insert through all the cords.

Row 4 Increase row, * SC in the top 2 loops of the next 3 stitches, then 2 SC into the next stitch around.* Repeat to marker, move marker and insert through all cords.

Row 5 Increase and turning row. 2 SC in the top 2 loops of every stitch around, stopping to adjust the rope, about every 7-10 stitches, with a gentle pull to start the turn up. Don’t pull too hard or you will have to backtrack to make a nice transition from flat to curve. Before you move the marker, make sure to adjust the rope, to lay how you want it, then replace the marker through the cords.

Row 6,7,8, … all rows till the last one. Last row will be when the basket is as tall as you wish. One SC in every stitch around, gently pulling rope to adjust shape, and coverage. The idea is to maintain good coverage of the rope that is why so many extra stitches. Continue to work in a spiral until the last row, adjusting rope and moving marker as you go.

Last Row Now to create the top edge you will want to decrease if you want the top to curve in, and increase if you want the top edge to curve out. The increase rate or decrease rate can be changed to your preference, however for this first one I recommend that you SC 6, SC 2 together, Or SC 6, SC 2 in the next stitch. Read the rest of pattern before cutting anything.

If you wish to have a straight rim, cut the cord at an angle, about ½ inch before the marker, SC till you have covered the cord, slip stitch to end. Cut the yarn about 6-8 inches from last stitch, thread onto yarn needle, and bury the yarn in the coils on the inside of the basket

If you wish to make the little coil on the lip of the basket, crochet to the marker on your last row as above, then SC 20-24 stitches over the rope only. Gently push the stitches down as you go, to get good coverage on the rope. Cut the rope so that just about ¼ inch sticks out. Cut the yarn about 12-15 inches out. Roll the section you just did, into a coil and hold it flat, push the marker through all the cords in the coil to hold it flat, while you position it. Put a yarn needle on the yarn tail, and use it to tack the coil to the basket. Don’t go through the coils, go around and between. Then come up in the middle of the attached coil, and cover the exposed rope end, with a few stitches. Then bury the end of the yarn under a few stitches before trimming.

Here’s another idea for making a basket this way:

You can also go totally freeform!

Smile! Enjoy!

~ Donna

Thank you, Donna! I’m going to have fun with this! 

~ Marina