One of the major perks of being a self-employed crochet designer is the opportunity to work with other small, handmade businesses. I had the chance to collaborate with not one, but TWO awesome Etsy sellers and the result is the Jenna Stash Basket, now available as a free pattern!
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THE YARN
The Jenna Stash Basket was born out of another pattern that I whipped up one afternoon. I’d been gifted some gorgeous t-shirt yarn from Knitz N Purlz and turned it into a tall basket to use when carting my yarn from room to room.
The yarn I received from Knitz N Purls was nicer than any other t-shirt yarn I’d worked with. And I was so pleased that Irina had dozens of different colors to choose from. The first iteration of the Jenna Stash Basket was made in a pretty taupe color. Click to shop the full selection from KNITZNPURLS.
But, while working on the pattern, I realized that I HATE constructing basket bases. They’re so time-consuming and never as sturdy as I want them to be. So, I put the pattern in hibernation until I could come up with a better solution.
THE BASE
Little did I know, a solution was on its way! My lovely friend Jenna of A-Cute Design is dabbling in the world of laser cutting. She made me these custom #YARNLOVE basket bottoms, inspired by the segment of the same name from my YouTube podcast. How fun!
Working with a wooden base to make crochet baskets is the godsend I needed. The hard part of the project is already done – wood bases take the place of needing to do tricky crochet math to make the bottom of a basket. Instead, simply crochet into the holes of the base to start building the sides of the basket. It’s truly genius! Click to shop #YARNLOVE basket bases!
THE PATTERN
After another shipment of Knitz N Purlz beautiful yarn arrived, it was time to make the final version of the Jenna Stash Basket. And what a beauty she is! The finished basket measures about 14″ wide, 6″ deep and 7″ tall. I love that it stands up on its own, the base is solid, and I can finish the whole project in less than 2 hours.
Are you ready to make your own Jenna Stash Basket? Let’s get started!
MATERIALS:
–2 balls of t-shirt yarn from KnitzNPurls (approximately 175 yards)
–1 #YARNLOVE basket base from A-Cute Design (limited quantities available!)
–7mm crochet hook (an 8mm should work as well)
-Tapestry Needle
-Scissors
-Stitch Marker (optional)
FINISHED SIZE:
14″ wide, 6″ deep, 7″ tall
ABBREVIATIONS:
- BLO = back loop only
- Ch = chain
- Sc = single crochet
- Sk = skip
- St(s) = stitches
- Wcs = waistcoat stitch
–SPECIAL STITCH: Waistcoat Stitch (wcs) – insert hook between left and right leg of stitch from front to back, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Use this video to make your Jenna Stash Basket from start to finish:
ROUND 1: Starting on the long side of the basket base in the hole to the far right with the right side facing you, pull up a loop, sc in each hole around, finishing with a sc in the hole where the first loop was pulled up. DO NOT JOIN. Continue to work in a spiral. (74 sc)
ROUND 2: Sc around.
ROUNDS 3-13: (Wcs, sc BLO) around. (74 sts)
ROUND 14 (begin handles): (Wcs 1, sc BLO 1) 4 times, wcs 1, ch 11, sk 9 sts, (wcs 1, sc BLO 1) 13 times, wcs 1, ch 11, sk 9 sts, (wcs 1, BLO 1) 10 times.
ROUND 15: Continue in pattern to first chain space, sc 15 around chain, continue in pattern to next chain space, sc 15 around chain, continue in pattern to complete round.
FINISHING: Cut yarn. Weave in the final end using the invisible finish (see video for details).
Don’t forget to upload your projects to Ravelry!
Thanks so much for checking out the Jenna Stash Basket pattern! I hope you have as much fun making it as I did! Share your basket with me on Instagram using the hashtag #TLYCMakers. And show off your hard work in the TLYCMakers Facebook group too!
Do you like the free patterns on TLYCBlog.com? Pinning this post shares my content with hundreds of other makers, helping generate income that supports free patterns like this one!
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Love this !
I love this!! I can’t wait to do one as soon as I get the materials! 🙂
Yayyy! I love this basket so much – I’ve made 4 now, most as gifts. You’re gonna love crocheting it 🙂
Hi Toni — Happy New Year to you and all those you love! Looks like you’re going to be b-u-s-y!!
I’m thinking of making the Jenna Stash Basket and attempted to purchase the wooden base to no avail…it is unavailable. Do you know if it will be available again and when? I need to make MANY Baskets for all my PhDs :+)
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Debbie! Jenna, the gal behind the basket bases, took a bit of time off to get caught up on orders, but her shop is back open now! You can find the basked bases directly here: Click here for #YARNLOVE basket base
Hi Toni!
Thanks so much for sharing your pattern! Also for introducing me to 2 great Etsy shops!! I can’t wait to order the materials for this basket! You’re right! I think the wooden bases are pure genius!! Best of luck with your new website & blog!!
Hi Kristen! Thanks so much for dropping by and checking out this pattern 🙂 Have fun with it!
Thank you for sharing this pattern and tutorial. I was surprised I could do it! I will be making more as gifts.
Hi Toni, I am brand new to the crochet world and just recently came across your Instagram and blog (LOVE!). I am dyeing to make this basket! I ordered the base, but it seems the t-shirt yarn is sold out. Is there another yarn you would recommend? Thanks so much!
Hi! You can find T-shirt yarn from many sources and yarn companies. Take a look on Etsy or Amazon for t-shirt yarn alternatives.
I am having problems on keeping the sides of my baskets to stand up. I’m using t shirt strips for my yarn and my question is .. can I use your wsc stitch to make the sides firmer.
Hi Brenda! Feel free to experiment with the pattern to get the structure you’re looking for.
I just finished this basket. I love it thank you so much for the pattern.
I’m so glad you like it 🙂
Do you sale the bottum of Baskets if so how much are they need to know soon please ty
I want to make the Crochet baskets also/\Thank you
Mary
Hi! I don’t sell the basket bases. They are made by the artist mentioned in the blog post. These bases are currently sold out, but you can find other bases from her in her Etsy Shop.
Toni,
I absolutely love you! You make everything seem so easy!
I wanted to get the base, but she’s sold out. I got another one, here’s hoping it will be the same size.
Love this. I just ordered and base and am looking at it….terrified! 🙂 This helps
You got this!!
Bummer, it doesn’t look like I can get the basket bottoms anymore. Any idea if there is a template for them so I can try to source them elsewhere?
Hi darling! You can find similar items on Etsy. Look for a base that’s 14×6 (or close to that) with at least 70 holes in the bottom.