The Purrfect Basket really is the purr-fect basket for anyone that loves organization! With a beautiful knitted looking texture created by the crochet waistcoat stitch, this basket is sturdy and absolutely adorable. Features such as handles that are shaped like cat ears and stitched on whiskers and nose, complete this basket making it both cute and functional.
With super chunky weight yarn and a large crochet hook, this pattern works up super quick and each part will take less than an hour to complete.
SIZE
I wanted the size of the basket to not be too big but also not be too small. I think it came out the perfect size for storing yarn, holding a work in progress, or anything else that you would like to organize on a shelf or desk.
- 7.5" wide and 6" tall (not counting the handles)
THE YARN
When I started sketching for this design, I knew right away that I wanted an extra chunky yarn that would make a sturdy basket. I contacted Mary Maxim and they kindly suggested, Starlette Chunky Yarn, I have to say admit, it is the purrfect yarn for this project! Thank you Mary Maxim for the yarn support!
Mary Maxim Starlette Chunky Yarn is a super 6 bulky weight, 100% acrylic yarn. It comes in 100 gram balls that have approximately 60 yards/55m. There are a variety of beautiful colors to choose from and although this is a chunky yarn, it feels very soft to the touch.
If substituting yarn, try to find a yarn that is both similar in weight and fiber content.
The Purrfect Basket uses the waistcoat stitch to create a beautiful, knitted looking texture. The waistcoat stitch is a variation on the single crochet and can take a little bit of practice to master. Check out my video tutorial here and practice before starting the pattern.
CAL DETAILS
The CAL will last for 4 weeks, from March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022.
- Now till March 1, 2022: Get the supplies ready and join the facebook group here!
- March 1-7: Part One will be released on my blog for free.
- March 8-14: Part Two will be released on my blog for free.
- March 15-21: Part Three (the final part) will be released on my blog for free AND the full pattern pdf for the Purrfect Basket will be available for FREE for CAL participants until March 31, 2022. Please heart on ravelry when downloading the free pdf, thank you!
- March 22-30: Post photos of final projects to be entered to win a gift card to Mary Maxim! Post photos in the facebook group OR tag @_with_alex on instagram and use #calwithalex for your photos to be entered.
- March 31, 2022: The winner will be chosen and contacted.
SUPPLY LIST
- Mary Maxim Starlette Chunky Yarn in teal (2 skeins/180g) and cottonwood (1 skein/4g)
- Size L (8.00 mm) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Darning needle
I can't wait for this crochet a long to begin and I hope you are all as excited as I am!
What color(s) will you choose? Scroll down for the free pattern!
SIZE
7.5” wide and 6” tall (not counting the handles)
GAUGE
7 sts and 9 rows =4” in wst
MATERIALS
- Mary Maxim Starlette Chunky Yarn in teal (2 skeins/180g) and cottonwood (1 skein/4g)
- (100% acrylic 100grams/60 yards 6 Super Bulky Yarn)
- Size L (8.00 mm) crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Darning needle
ABBREVIATIONS
- ch(s): chains
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sk: skip
- wst: waistcoat stitch
- 2wst: waistcoat stitch increase
SPECIAL STITCHES
- wst sl st: (waistcoat slip stitch): insert the hook into the next stitch, just like for a waistcoat stitch, yarn over and pull through all of the loops on the hook to complete the slip stitch.
NOTES
- The pattern is worked in a spiral and the beginning of each round is marked with a stitch marker.
- Make all single crochets loose so that waistcoat stitches can easily be worked into them.
- Chains are worked into both loops.
VIDEO TUTORIALS
THE PATTERN
PART ONE:
THE BOTTOM CIRCLE
*Should measure almost 2” wide.
R2: 2wst into each st around. =16
*Should measure approximately 3” wide.
R3: *2wst into the next st, wst into the next st. Repeat from the * around. =24
*Should measure approximately 4” wide.
R4: *wst into the next 2 sts, 2wst into the next st. Repeat from the * around. =32
*Should measure approximately 5” wide.
R5: *2wst into the next st, wst into the next 3 sts. Repeat from the * around. =40
*Should measure approximately 6.5” wide.
R6: wst into each st around. =40
*Should measure approximately 7.5” wide.
Do not cut the yarn.
PART TWO:
THE SIDES
R7-R16: wst into each st around. =40
*Should measure approximately 5.5" tall.
Do not cut the yarn. Turn right side out.
PART THREE
GET THE PDF FOR FREE BY USING CODE: CALWITHALEX at checkout HERE.
The Handles and Face:
The Handles:
R17: wst into the next 9 sts, ch 9 and sk the next 6 sts, wst into the next 10 sts, ch 9 and sk the next 6 sts, wst into the next 9 sts. =46
R18: wst into the next 9 sts. Working into both loops of the chs: sc into the next 4 chs, (hdc, dc, hdc) into the next ch, sc into the next 4 chs, wst into the next 10 sts. Working into both loops of the chs: sc into the next 4 chs, (hdc, dc, hdc) into the next ch, sc into the next 4 chs, wst into the next 9 sts. =50
R19: wst sl st into the next 13 sts, sl st into the next st, (sl st, ch 1, sl st) into the next st, sl st into the next st, wst sl st into the next 18 sts, sl st into the next st, (sl st, ch 1, sl st) into the next st, sl st into the next st, wst sl st into the next 13 sts. =54
Cut the yarn, pull through the last stitch made and make an invisible join.
The Face:
With a contrasting yarn color and darning needle:
stitch on the whiskers, and then the nose. Add more if you would like!
Weave in all ends. The end!
DON'T FORGET TO SHARE PHOTOS HERE TO BE ENTERED TO WIN A MARY MAXIM GIFT CARD!
POLICIES/COPYRIGHT
bye and happy crocheting!
<3Alex
