Acrylic Knit Decorative Basket (3 sizes)

Modern, sturdy decorative baskets worked in acrylic yarn. Great for holding blankets, magazines, toys or as shelf decor. Worked in the round from a flat base; sides in seed stitch for texture. Sizes: Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L). Finished dimensions: S: 6"/15cm wide x 4"/10cm high; M: 9"/23cm wide x 6"/15cm high; L: 12"/30cm wide x 8"/20cm high.

Yarn

• Material: 100% acrylic (recommended for easy care and structure). Suggested weight: Super Bulky (6).
• Yardage/Meterage (total): S: approx 120 yds / 110 m; M: approx 220 yds / 200 m; L: approx 360 yds / 330 m. (If using bulky/aran weight yarn held double to achieve similar thickness, double the yardage.)
• Notes: Use a tightly spun acrylic for better shape retention. You may use one strand of super-bulky or hold two strands of worsted/aran for a similar gauge and finish.

Needles & Hooks (equivalents)

• Main needles (magic loop or circulars): US 15 \/ UK 00 \/ 10.00 mm (recommended for super-bulky) - useful when you want taller, faster fabric.
• Alternate: US 11 \/ UK 1 \/ 8.00 mm (if you prefer a slightly denser fabric).
• Optional thicker version: US 17 \/ UK 000 \/ 12.00 mm (very chunky; reduces yardage needed).
• Small circular for base work if you prefer: 16"/40 cm circular or use magic-loop technique with a longer cable.
• Optional crochet hook for edging or handles: US L/8 \/ 8.0 mm (useful for tidy single-crochet rim or i-cord anchor).

Notions

• Stitch marker (marker between rounds).
• Tapestry needle for weaving ends.
• Optional: A round piece of thin cardboard or plastic (cut to base diameter) for a rigid bottom insert; hot-glue or insert after finishing to stabilize shape.

Gauge

11 sts x 16 rows = 4"/10cm in seed stitch on US 15 (10.0 mm). Gauge is not critical for this basket but stitch density affects sturdiness and final dimensions. If your fabric is very loose, go down a needle size or hold an extra strand.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• CO = Cast on
• BO = Bind off
• K = Knit
• P = Purl
• Kfb = Knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Rnd = Round

Notes & Strategy

The basket is worked entirely in the round. Begin by knitting a flat circle for the base using regular increases every round, then continue straight up in seed stitch for the sides. For best stability, use a dense seed stitch and consider adding a removable base disc (cardboard/plastic). Handles are optional: worked as short i-cords and sewn on, or omitting handles gives a clean modern look.

Instructions

Setup (all sizes)

Use a center-pull ball and a long circular needle (magic loop) or DPNs if you prefer. Place a removable marker to mark the beginning of each round.

Base (flat circle increases)

Cast on 8 sts. Join carefully to work in the round, making sure stitches are not twisted. Place marker for beg of rnd.

Rnd 1: *Kfb* around — 16 sts.
Rnd 2: *K1, Kfb* around — 24 sts.
Rnd 3: *K2, Kfb* around — 32 sts.
Rnd 4: *K3, Kfb* around — 40 sts.
Rnd 5: *K4, Kfb* around — 48 sts.
Rnd 6: *K5, Kfb* around — 56 sts.
Rnd 7: *K6, Kfb* around — 64 sts.
*Continue increasing by inserting one more knit between increases each round until you reach the stitch count closest to the target circumference below (or stop when base diameter matches desired size).*

Target base stitch counts (approximate): S: 56 sts (approx 6"/15 cm). M: 80 sts (approx 9"/23 cm). L: 112 sts (approx 12"/30 cm). If your increases create slightly different counts, that’s fine—adjust the number of increase rounds to reach the diameter you want. Ensure the base lies flat; if it cups, add one more increase round; if ruffles, omit the last increase round.

Sides (seed stitch texture)

Once base diameter is reached, stop increasing and work all rounds in seed stitch as follows (with even number of sts):

Rnd 1: *K1, P1* around.
Rnd 2: *P1, K1* around.
Repeat Rnd 1 and Rnd 2 until side measures desired height:
S: 4"/10 cm. M: 6"/15 cm. L: 8"/20 cm.

Optional rim shaping and bind-off

To create a neat rim with a bit of structure, work 2 rounds of stockinette (knit every round) after finishing seed stitch, then bind off with a stretchy bind-off:

Round (stockinette) 1: K all sts.
Round (stockinette) 2: K all sts.
Bind off: Use a stretchy bind-off such as Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off or bind off loosely in pattern (k the knit stitches and p the purl stitches) ensuring the edge is not too tight.

Optional handles (i-cord handles)

I-cord handles are worked separately and sewn on. Make two for a pair of short handles or one long handle across the rim.

With smaller needles (US 11 / 8.0 mm) and the same yarn:
CO 4 sts. Work i-cord for desired length (S: 12"/30 cm; M: 16"/40 cm; L: 20"/50 cm) then BO. Fold ends underneath rim and sew securely with tapestry needle.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends on the inside of the basket for a tidy finish.
• If you want a firmer base, cut a circle of sturdy cardboard or thin plastic to match the base diameter and place it inside the basket on the bottom. Optionally cover this disc with scrap fabric glued to the top for a cleaner look.
• Steam blocking: acrylic will hold shape without traditional wet-blocking. Gently shape with hands and allow to cool; do not use very hot steam (acrylic can melt).

Variations & Ideas

• Color block: Change colors when starting the sides to create a two-tone basket (join new color at the first stitch of the round).
• Double-strand: Use two strands of worsted held together to create a similar gauge with different color effects (e.g., heather look by plying two colors).
• Lining: Sew a fabric liner for delicate items; lining also hides the interior ends and adds stiffness.
• Hanging basket: For wall hangings, make the sides taller and add a looped handle at the rim—reinforce with sewing or an extra i-cord row.

Stitch glossary

• Seed stitch (in the round): Rnd 1: *K1, P1* around. Rnd 2: *P1, K1* around. Maintain the alternation so each stitch is opposite to the stitch beneath it.
• Kfb (knit front and back): Knit into the front of the stitch but leave it on the left needle, then knit into the back of the same stitch and slip it off. This increases one stitch and keeps a small, neat increase line note: you may substitute M1R or M1L if preferred for a cleaner radial increase line.

Troubleshooting

• Base cups upward: too many increases for your gauge—omit the last increase round or go up a needle size and remove a round of increases.
• Base ruffles: not enough increases—add one more increase round.
• Sides too floppy: switch to a smaller needle or hold a second strand of yarn for more structure.

Care

Machine washable acrylic: use a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry to preserve shape. Avoid high heat. Spot clean as needed.

Pattern Summary (quick reference)

1. CO 8 sts, join in the round.
2. Increase rounds until base diameter matches size.
3. Work seed stitch in the round until desired height.
4. Work 2 rounds stockinette for rim, bind off loosely.
5. Add i-cord handles or rim crochet if desired, weave ends, insert base disc if wanted.

Designed for acrylic yarn and easy, repeatable shaping. Adjustments are straightforward by changing the number of increase rounds (base) and the number of seed-stitch rounds (height).

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