Burgundy Basketweave Basket with Gold Stars Free Crochet Pattern
Burgundy Basketweave Basket with Gold Stars Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This square basket is a beginner-friendly project that looks far more intricate than it is. Worked in a solid burgundy macramé cord with a basketweave texture and finished with a slim gold rim and five tiny gold stars, it brings a calm, Japandi feel to any shelf, desk, or entryway. The flat base and straight sides make it genuinely useful for storing small items, while the post-stitch texture gives it a cozy, handcrafted look. If you can single crochet and double crochet, you can make this basket.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Macramé cord, 3 mm (about 5 mm thick), 100% cotton. Burgundy (MC): 120 yd. Gold (CC): 20 yd.
- Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape
- Finished size: Approximately 6 inches (15 cm) square base, 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- fpdc – front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch from the previous round, bringing your hook in front of the work
- bpdc – back post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch from the previous round, bringing your hook behind the work
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- MC – main color (burgundy)
- CC – contrast color (gold)
Gauge
12 sts and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in basketweave stitch pattern. Crochet a small swatch and measure it flat; if you have more stitches than 12 in 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Macramé cord is stiff, so keep your tension relaxed and even; tight stitches will make the sides pull inward.
- Mark the first stitch of every round so you never lose your place, especially when the post stitches start alternating.
- Count your corner stitches carefully on the base and first side rounds; the 3-stitch corners are what keep the basket square.
- Keep the gold cord for the border and stars only, so the burgundy body stays clean and solid.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Base (MC)
Row 1: Ch 19, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (18 sc).
Rows 2-18: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (18 sc). Do not fasten off.
Sides (MC)
Work in rounds along the edges of the base.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around the perimeter, working 1 sc in each row end and 1 sc in each st along the sides, with 3 sc in each corner (76 sc). Join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around, working 3 dc in each corner (84 dc). Join with sl st to first dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 3, [fpdc around next 4 sts, bpdc around next 4 sts] around, adjusting at corners to maintain pattern, join with sl st to first dc (84 sts).
Rnds 4-14: Repeat Rnd 3, maintaining the basketweave pattern (alternating groups of 4 fpdc and 4 bpdc). Fasten off MC.
Top Border (CC)
Rnd 1: Join CC with sl st to any st, ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (84 sc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (84 sc). Fasten off CC.
Stars (CC, make 5)
Rnd 1: Ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st to first sc (5 sc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, [sc in next st, ch 2, sl st in same st] 5 times to form 5 points. Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Arrange the five stars evenly along one side of the basket, about 1 inch below the top border. Using the tails and a tapestry needle, sew each star firmly in place, catching only the surface of the basket so the stitches don't show through the inside. Weave in all ends, working them through the wrong side of the fabric in a few directions so they stay secure. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the basket square over a box or folded towel; let it dry completely before use.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the gold for cream or copper for a softer or warmer look, keeping the burgundy body the same.
- Add a second row of stars along the opposite side for a more playful, symmetrical design.
- Work the border in the same burgundy as the body for a minimalist version, then use gold only for the stars.
