In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a set of seven rainbow nesting baskets. These baskets are great for storage, but they're also perfect for teaching your little ones about colour and shapes! They can keep themselves busy for hours as they discover how to fit all the baskets together. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to crochet, follow our series of Crochet Fundamentals. This pattern uses US terms and stitches include single crochet (sc); half double crochet (hdc); inc (increase); slip stitch (sl st) and chain (ch).
Supplies
- Yarn (I use Special DK by Stylecraft) in rainbow colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, violet)
- A crochet hook
- A darning needle for sewing in the ends
- A pair of scissors
- A stitch marker
- Click here to learn more about essential crochet tools
1. Crochet the Largest Basket
Step 1
With your violet yarn, make a magic circle and secure with a stitch. If you don't know how to do this, check out our video tutorial on How to Make a Magic Ring here.
Work six single crochet into the ring.
Step 2
We're going to work the bottom part of our basket in to one big spiral. In other words, we're not going to join our rounds but we'll keep working on the previous stitches, creating a spiral.
Work two single crochet in each stitch around (you're increasing six times), and place a stitch marker after you've made the last stitch (12 stitches). The stitch marker will help us keep track of the end of each round.
Step 3
From now on, we're going to use the term 'increase' (inc) whenever you have to work two single crochet into one stitch.
Work *1 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (18 stitches).
Step 4
Work *2 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (24 stitches).
Step 5
Work *3 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (30 stitches).
Step 6
Work *4 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (36 stitches).
Step 7
Work *5 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (42 stitches).
Step 8
Work *6 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (48 stitches).
Step 9
Work *7 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (54 stitches).
Step 10
Work *8 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (60 stitches).
Step 11
Work *9 sc, inc* around. Move the stitch marker to the last stitch made. (66 stitches).
Step 12
Now we're going to crochet the sides of the basket. From now on, we're going to join our rounds after each row.
Chain one, and working in the back loops only, work one half double crochet in each stitch around until you reach the chain one. Join the round with a slip stitch in the chain one (you can remove your stitch marker; we don't need it anymore).
Step 13
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around (through both loops from now on). Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 14
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 15
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 16
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 17
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 18
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 19
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 20
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 21
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 22
Chain two, work one half double crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the top of the beginning chain two.
Step 23
Now that your basket is arge enough; it's time to put a little border around it. Chain 1, work a single crochet into the next stitch, then *ch 1, 1 sc* around. Join with a slip stitch to the beginning chain one. Work in your ends using your darning needle.
2. Crochet the Other Baskets
For each of the following baskets, make the base and the sides one round smaller. Here's how many rounds and stitches each colour should have:
- Red basket - five rounds for the base/sides; 30 stitches
- Orange basket - six rounds for the base/sides; 36 stitches
- Yellow basket - seven rounds for the base/sides; 42 stitches
- Green basket - eight rounds for the base/sides; 48 stitches
- Blue basket - nine rounds for the base/sides; 54 stitches
- Purple basket - 10 rounds for the base/sides; 60 stitches
- Violet basket - 11 rounds for the base/sides; 66 stitches
Enjoy Your Nesting Baskets
Congratulations, you have now made a gorgeous set of rainbow nesting baskets!
In this tutorial, you've learned how to work in spirals and rounds; how to increase to create a circle; and how to create a quirky and fun border to give your basket a finished look.
Use your baskets for holding jewelry, rings or knick knacks; or gift them to a toddler and provide them with a stimulating learning experience.
How did you go with this tutorial? Let us know if you have any queries or comments. You can find more crochet projects here.
