The Terracotta Harvest hanging basket is three striped crochet bowls stacked on natural cotton cord. It keeps produce off the counter and in the air. The colors are warm and earthy: terracotta and a soft oat cream that suit a sunny farmhouse kitchen.
Each basket has a solid terracotta base and sides striped terracotta, cream, terracotta, cream, with a terracotta rim. Three cords hold each basket at evenly spaced points. This tension turns the round rims into a soft rounded triangle. The look is sturdy, simple and a little rustic.
This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout. The baskets measure 6 in (15.2 cm), 8 in (20.3 cm) and 10 in (25.4 cm) across the base. They stand 4 in (10.2 cm), 5 in (12.7 cm) and 6 in (15.2 cm) tall. Hung, the whole piece is about 54 in (137.2 cm) long, including the loop and the bottom tassel.
You crochet each basket from the bottom up. First make a flat single crochet circle. Then work one back-loop round to turn the edge, and crochet straight striped sides with no increases. A rim band finishes the top. Finally, you thread three cords through all three baskets and knot them at measured heights.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 54 in (137.2 cm) hanging length
- Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Bulky (#5) cotton or cotton-blend cord yarn
- Hook: 6 mm (US J-10)
- Number of pieces: 3 crocheted baskets plus 3 cords
- Layout: 1 column x 3 tiers (small top, medium middle, large bottom)
- Piece size (base diameter x height): Small 6 x 4 in (15.2 x 10.2 cm); Medium 8 x 5 in (20.3 x 12.7 cm); Large 10 x 6 in (25.4 x 15.2 cm)
- Height before border: Small 3 in (7.6 cm); Medium 4 in (10.2 cm); Large 4.7 in (11.9 cm)
- Border depth: Small and Medium 1 in (2.5 cm); Large 1.3 in (3.3 cm)
Materials
Yarn: Use a firm, bulky cotton cord yarn of about 85 m per 100 g. Cotton holds its shape under the weight of fruit better than acrylic, and it washes well.
- Color T (Terracotta): 260 g / 220 m
- Color C (Cream): 100 g / 85 m
Cord: 7 yd (6.4 m) of 5 mm natural twisted cotton cord, cut into three 84 in (213.4 cm) lengths.
Tools:
– 6 mm (US J-10) crochet hook
– 6 stitch markers
– Tapestry needle
– Measuring tape
– Scissors
The yarn and cord quantities include a margin of about 15–20% for swatching and tension differences.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- Rnd – round
- MR – magic ring
Joined rounds: Unless stated otherwise, start every round with ch 1 (the ch 1 does not count as a stitch). Work the first sc into the same stitch as the join, and end the round with a sl st into the first sc.
Color change: Work the joining sl st of the last round in the old color using the new color. Carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the basket instead of cutting it.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 12 sc and 12 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm). That is 3 sts and 3 rounds per inch (2.5 cm).
Test one piece first. Make the Small basket base before anything else, because it doubles as your gauge swatch. Check it at these points:
- After Rnd 3: 2 in (5.1 cm) across
- After Rnd 6: 4 in (10.2 cm) across
- After Rnd 9: 6 in (15.2 cm) across
- Medium base after Rnd 12: 8 in (20.3 cm) across
- Large base after Rnd 15: 10 in (25.4 cm) across
- Sides: every 3 rounds should add 1 in (2.5 cm) of height
If your piece is too big: go down to a 5.5 mm hook. If it is too small: go up to a 6.5 mm hook. If the base ripples, your increases are outpacing your tension, so go down a hook size. If the base cups before you start the BLO round, go up a hook size.
Basket Base (All Sizes)
Use Color T. Each round adds 6 stitches, so Rnd n has 6 × n stitches. To avoid a hexagon shape, move the increase to the start or middle of each repeat on alternate rounds.
- Rnd 1: MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc in each st around. (12)
- Rnd 3: *sc 1, inc; rep from * 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: *sc 2, inc; rep from * 6 times. (24)
- Rnd 5: *sc 3, inc; rep from * 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: *sc 4, inc; rep from * 6 times. (36)
- Rnd 7: *sc 5, inc; rep from * 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8: *sc 6, inc; rep from * 6 times. (48)
- Rnd 9: sc 7, inc; rep from * 6 times. (54) — Small stops here.* 6 in (15.2 cm).
- Rnd 10: *sc 8, inc; rep from * 6 times. (60)
- Rnd 11: *sc 9, inc; rep from * 6 times. (66)
- Rnd 12: sc 10, inc; rep from * 6 times. (72) — Medium stops here.* 8 in (20.3 cm).
- Rnd 13: *sc 11, inc; rep from * 6 times. (78)
- Rnd 14: *sc 12, inc; rep from * 6 times. (84)
- Rnd 15: sc 13, inc; rep from * 6 times. (90) — Large stops here.* 10 in (25.4 cm).
Mark the cord points now. Split the final round into three equal sections and place a marker in the first stitch of each section:
- Small (54 sts): sts 1, 19 and 37, giving 18 sts per section
- Medium (72 sts): sts 1, 25 and 49, giving 24 sts per section
- Large (90 sts): sts 1, 31 and 61, giving 30 sts per section
Move these markers up the sides as you work. You will use them to place the cords.
Basket Sides
The sides have no increases at all. The stitch count stays equal to the last base round: 54 for Small, 72 for Medium and 90 for Large.
Side Rnd 1 (turning round), Color T: ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. The unworked front loops form the ridge on the outside that marks the edge of the base. (54 / 72 / 90)
Every following side round: ch 1, sc in both loops of each st around, join. (54 / 72 / 90)
Work the stripe bands below. The turning round counts as the first round of the first terracotta band.
Small (9 rounds, 3 in / 7.6 cm):
– Rnds 1–3: Color T
– Rnds 4–5: Color C
– Rnds 6–7: Color T
– Rnds 8–9: Color C
Medium (12 rounds, 4 in / 10.2 cm):
– Rnds 1–3: Color T
– Rnds 4–6: Color C
– Rnds 7–9: Color T
– Rnds 10–12: Color C
Large (14 rounds, 4.7 in / 11.9 cm):
– Rnds 1–4: Color T
– Rnds 5–7: Color C
– Rnds 8–11: Color T
– Rnds 12–14: Color C
Checkpoint: Lay the basket on its side and measure from the base ridge to the top edge. It should match the height before border listed above. Cut Color C after the last cream round, leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail and weave it in on the inside.
Make All Pieces
Make one basket of each size.
| Piece | Qty | Color T rounds | Color C rounds | Stitches per round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 1 | 9 base + 8 side/border | 4 | 54 |
| Medium | 1 | 12 base + 9 side/border | 6 | 72 |
| Large | 1 | 15 base + 12 side/border | 6 | 90 |
The terracotta side/border counts include the border rounds below.
Layout grid (hanging order, top to bottom):
[ loop + knot ]
|
[ SMALL ] Tier 1
|
[ MEDIUM ] Tier 2
|
[ LARGE ] Tier 3
|
[ tassel knot ]
Border (Rim Band)
Border gauge: same as the body, 12 sc and 12 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm). Continue straight on from the last cream round with Color T.
Count the border by section. Each basket has three equal sections between cord markers, so the starting count for the border is 3 sections × stitches per section. On a round basket there are no corner stitches, so nothing is counted twice and nothing is added at the cord points.
Small (54 = 3 × 18):
– Border Rnds 1–2: sc in each st around. (54; 18 per section)
– Border Rnd 3: sl st in BLO of each st around. (54; 18 per section)
– Depth: 1 in (2.5 cm)
Medium (72 = 3 × 24):
– Border Rnds 1–2: sc in each st around. (72; 24 per section)
– Border Rnd 3: sl st in BLO of each st around. (72; 24 per section)
– Depth: 1 in (2.5 cm)
Large (90 = 3 × 30):
– Border Rnds 1–3: sc in each st around. (90; 30 per section)
– Border Rnd 4: sl st in BLO of each st around. (90; 30 per section)
– Depth: 1.3 in (3.3 cm)
The slip-stitch round adds firmness but almost no height, so it counts toward depth as part of the band. Fasten off and weave in all ends on the inside.
Why the math works: The sides and border never increase, so every round keeps the base’s final count. All three counts divide evenly by 3, so the cord points sit exactly one-third of the way around and the basket hangs level. Small: 3 in + 1 in = 4 in (10.2 cm). Medium: 4 in + 1 in = 5 in (12.7 cm). Large: 4.7 in + 1.3 in = 6 in (15.2 cm).
Joining (Cord Assembly)
The baskets are joined by cord, not crochet. Each cord passes through all three baskets at matching marker positions.
1. Top loop. Line up the three 84 in (213.4 cm) cords with their ends even. Fold the top 7 in (17.8 cm) of the bundle down into a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop. Tie an overhand knot with the whole bundle just below the loop.
2. Mark the heights. Measure down each cord from the top knot and mark these points with a clip or a bit of yarn:
– 12 in (30.5 cm) for the Small rim
– another 12 in (30.5 cm) for the Medium rim
– another 13 in (33.0 cm) for the Large rim
3. Attach the baskets. Start with the Small basket. At each cord marker, count 2 rounds down from the rim and push the cord through the wall from outside to inside, between two stitches. Bring the cord up over the rim to the outside. Tie an overhand knot around the standing cord with the knot sitting at the height mark, just above the rim. One cord goes to each of the three markers.
4. Repeat for the Medium and Large baskets. Use the same cord for the same marker on every basket, so cord 1 always goes to stitch 1. This keeps the cords hanging straight instead of twisting around the stack.
5. Bottom tassel. Gather the three cords about 4 in (10.2 cm) below the Large basket’s base. Tie an overhand knot. Trim the ends to 3 in (7.6 cm) and unravel them a little.
Tension advice: Snug each knot firmly but don’t crush the rim. Lift the bundle by the loop and look at each basket from the side. A tilted basket means one knot is off its mark, so loosen it and slide it until the rim is level.
Size checkpoint: The hanging length from the top of the loop to the end of the tassel should be about 54 in (137.2 cm). Adjust it by changing the spacing between tiers, not the cord lengths.
Final Blocking
- Remove the cords if you have already attached them.
- Spray each basket with water until it is damp but not dripping.
- Stuff each basket firmly with a towel or put a bowl of the right size inside.
- Pat the base flat and check the diameter: 6 in (15.2 cm), 8 in (20.3 cm) or 10 in (25.4 cm).
- Straighten the walls and check the height: 4 in (10.2 cm), 5 in (12.7 cm) or 6 in (15.2 cm).
- Let the baskets dry completely, about 24 hours.
- Attach or re-tie the cords.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- [ ] The bases measure 6, 8 and 10 in (15.2, 20.3 and 25.4 cm) across and lie flat.
- [ ] The base ridge is visible all the way around each basket.
- [ ] Every side and border round has 54, 72 or 90 sts.
- [ ] The stripes read T, C, T, C, T from bottom to top.
- [ ] The rims are firm and even, with no gaps.
- [ ] The three cord points are evenly spaced, with 18, 24 or 30 sts per section.
- [ ] All three baskets hang level.
- [ ] All ends are woven in on the inside.
Troubleshooting
The base ripples: You are increasing too much for your tension. Go down a hook size or redo the last rounds.
The base cups like a bowl: Your tension is too tight. Go up a hook size for the base only.
The walls flare outward: You have added stitches by accident. Count each round, then frog back to the round that went wrong.
The joining seam slants: This is normal with joined rounds. Always join into the first sc, not the ch 1.
Stripes look jagged at the join: Make the color change on the joining sl st and pull the carried strand snug.
A basket tilts: Move the knot on the low side up until the rim is level.
The rim stretches under fruit: Make sure you worked the BLO sl st round, and keep heavy items in the large bottom basket.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and reshape while damp. Lay the baskets flat to dry, and wipe the cords clean or wash them separately.
Final Notes
Here is the measurement chain to check against. With a gauge of 12 sc and 12 rounds per 4 in (10.2 cm), the bases reach 54, 72 and 90 sts at 6, 8 and 10 in (15.2, 20.3 and 25.4 cm). The sides keep those counts and rise 3, 4 and 4.7 in (7.6, 10.2 and 11.9 cm). The borders add 1, 1 and 1.3 in (2.5, 2.5 and 3.3 cm), for finished heights of 4, 5 and 6 in (10.2, 12.7 and 15.2 cm). The cord points split each basket into three equal sections of 18, 24 and 30 sts. Spaced 12, 12 and 13 in (30.5, 30.5 and 33.0 cm) apart on the cords, the baskets make a 54 in (137.2 cm) hanger ready for your harvest.
Happy crocheting!