This little strawberry basket has a round, bubbly red body, a sage-green leaf collar, two arched handles and small cream daisies. Pale-yellow seeds are scattered over the sides, so it reads as a strawberry from across the room.
The texture is a dense lemon-peel stitch, which alternates single and double crochet. It gives the basket body and stops it slumping. The palette is coral red, sage green, cream and pale yellow. If you want a berry-jam version, swap the red for magenta.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished basket is about 7.2 in (18.3 cm) across at its widest, 6.1 in (15.5 cm) tall to the rim, and about 9.6 in (24.4 cm) tall to the top of the handles.
You work the base flat in rounds, then turn it up and work the body in joined rounds of lemon peel, shaping the bulge with a few increases and decreases. You make the leaf collar, handles, flowers and seeds separately and sew them on. A green rope rim finishes the opening.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 7.2 in (18.3 cm) at widest × 6.1 in (15.5 cm) tall; 9.6 in (24.4 cm) to the top of the handles
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1 body (base included), 2 handles, 1 leaf collar, 4 flowers, 24 seeds
- Layout: Upright round basket; collar below the rim; handles on opposite sides
- Base size: about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across, 72 sts
- Size before rim: 78 sts, 9.75 in (24.8 cm) flat width at the opening
- Rim depth: about 0.6 in (1.5 cm), 3 rounds
Materials
Use a smooth worsted cotton or cotton blend at about 95 m per 50 g. Cotton holds its shape and stands up to washing. Acrylic gives a softer, floppier basket.
- Coral red (MC): 100 g / 190 m
- Sage green (CC1): 50 g / 95 m
- Cream (CC2): 10 g / 19 m
- Pale yellow (CC3): 10 g / 19 m
These quantities include a margin of about 15%.
Tools:
– 4.0 mm (US G-6) hook
– Tapestry needle
– Stitch markers (at least 6)
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Rustproof pins
– Spray bottle
– A bowl or balloon about 7 in (17.8 cm) across, for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: magic ring
- BLO: back loop only
- inc: 2 sc in the same st
- sc2tog / dc2tog: work 2 sts together as one
- rev sc: reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- rep: repeat
Special stitch: lemon peel. Alternate sc and dc. On every round, work a dc into each sc and a sc into each dc, so the bumps stagger.
- Round A: Ch 1 (does not count), sc in next st, dc in next st; rep around. Join with sl st to the first sc.
- Round B: Ch 1 (does not count), dc in next st, sc in next st; rep around. Join with sl st to the first dc.
Gauge and Checkpoints
- Single crochet: 16 sts × 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
- Lemon peel: 16 sts × 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm)
Before starting, make a test piece: chain 21 and work 16 rows of lemon peel flat. Measure the centre of the swatch, away from the edges. If you have more stitches per 4 in, your fabric is too tight, so go up 0.5 mm. If you have fewer, it is too loose, so go down 0.5 mm. A firm, slightly stiff fabric is correct for a basket.
Checkpoints:
– Base, after Rnd 6: about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
– Base, after Rnd 12: about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across, 18 in (45.7 cm) around
– Body, after Rnd 5: 9 in (22.9 cm) flat width, 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall from the fold
– Body, after Rnd 9: 10.5 in (26.7 cm) flat width
– Body, after Rnd 16: 11.25 in (28.6 cm) flat width, about 4 in (10.2 cm) tall
– Body, after Rnd 22: 9.75 in (24.8 cm) flat width, about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall
If a checkpoint is off:
– Flat width off by more than 0.5 in (1.3 cm): change the hook. The stitch counts are what make the shape, so leave them as written.
– Height short: check your dc height before adding rounds, because height drives the strawberry proportions.
Base
Use coral red (MC). Work in joined rounds: join with sl st to the first sc and ch 1 to start each round (the ch 1 does not count).
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc; rep 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: Sc 1, inc, sc 2, inc; rep 4 more times, sc 1. (24)
- Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc; rep 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: Sc 2, inc, sc 4, inc; rep 4 more times, sc 2. (36)
- Rnd 7: Sc 5, inc; rep 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8: Sc 3, inc, sc 6, inc; rep 4 more times, sc 3. (48)
- Rnd 9: Sc 7, inc; rep 6 times. (54)
- Rnd 10: Sc 4, inc, sc 8, inc; rep 4 more times, sc 4. (60)
- Rnd 11: Sc 9, inc; rep 6 times. (66) Fasten off MC.
- Rnd 12: Join sage green (CC1). Sc 10, inc; rep 6 times. (72) Fasten off CC1.
The disc should lie flat, red with a green outer round, about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across.
Body
Join MC in any stitch of Rnd 12.
- Rnd 1 (turning round): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. (72) This round turns the fabric upward. The green front loops stay as a thin line along the bottom fold.
- Rnds 2–5: Rnd 2 is Round A, Rnd 3 is Round B, and so on, alternating. (72)
Rnd 6 (growth round, Round A): Ch 1. Work these 12 sts in order:
– sc, dc, sc, dc, sc, one in each of the next 5 sts
– (dc, sc) in the next st
– dc, sc, dc, sc, dc, one in each of the next 5 sts
– (sc, dc) in the next st
Rep from * 6 times. Join. (84) Each repeat turns 12 sts into 14, and the sc/dc alternation never breaks.
- Rnds 7–9: Round B, then A, then B. (84)
Rnd 10 (growth round, Round A): Ch 1. Work these 28 sts in order:
– 13 sts alternating, starting with sc (sc, dc … sc)
– (dc, sc) in the next st
– 13 sts alternating, starting with dc (dc, sc … dc)
– (sc, dc) in the next st
Rep from * 3 times. Join. (90) Each repeat turns 28 sts into 30.
- Rnds 11–16: Alternate Round B and Round A. (90) This is the widest part, about 7.2 in (18.3 cm) across.
Rnd 17 (Round B, decrease): Ch 1. Work these 30 sts in order:
– 13 sts alternating, starting with dc
– sc2tog over the next 2 sts
– 13 sts alternating, starting with dc
– sc2tog over the next 2 sts
Rep from * 3 times. Join. (84)
- Rnds 18–20: A, B, A. (84)
Rnd 21 (Round B, decrease): Ch 1. Work these 28 sts in order:
– 12 sts alternating, starting with dc
– dc2tog over the next 2 sts
– 12 sts alternating, starting with sc
– sc2tog over the next 2 sts
Rep from * 3 times. Join. (78)
- Rnd 22: Round A. (78) Fasten off.
The body should be about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall, with an opening that measures 9.75 in (24.8 cm) laid flat.
Handles (make 2)
Use sage green (CC1).
- Row 1: Ch 41. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (40)
- Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. (40)
The strip should be 10 in (25.4 cm) long and 0.9 in (2.3 cm) wide.
Fold the strip in half lengthwise. Sl st through both long edges along the full length to close it into a firm cord about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Leaf Collar
Use sage green (CC1).
- Row 1: Ch 79. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (78) The strip should be 19.5 in (49.5 cm) long, the same as the basket opening.
- Row 2 (leaves): Ch 1, turn. Work each leaf over 6 sts:
- sl st in the 1st st
- hdc in the 2nd st
- (dc, tr) in the 3rd st
- ch 2
- (tr, dc) in the 4th st
- hdc in the 5th st
- sl st in the 6th st
Rep from * 13 times. (13 leaves, 78 sts used) Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
The ch-2 forms each leaf’s point. The small gap between the 3rd and 4th sts forms the centre line. Each leaf is about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep, and the whole collar is about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) deep.
Flowers (make 4)
- Rnd 1: With pale yellow (CC3), 5 sc in MR. Join. Fasten off.
- Rnd 2: Join cream (CC2) in any st. In each st: (sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st). (5 petals)
Fasten off. Each flower is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across.
Seeds (make 24)
With pale yellow (CC3): ch 3, hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook, sl st in the same ch. Fasten off and leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. Each seed is a teardrop about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
| Piece | Color | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Body with base | MC + CC1 | 1 |
| Handles | CC1 | 2 |
| Leaf collar | CC1 | 1 |
| Flowers | CC2 + CC3 | 4 |
| Seeds | CC3 | 24 |
Layout as seen from above, with the rim divided into 6 equal sections:
[Handle A end] --- [Handle A end]
Flower Flower
(sts 13–26 of front half: 13-st gap)
-------------------- rim (78 sts) --------------------
(sts 52–65 of back half: 13-st gap)
Flower Flower
[Handle B end] --- [Handle B end]
Joining
Collar. Pin the collar’s sc edge (Row 1) along Rnd 22 with the leaves pointing down. Match the collar to the body stitch for stitch: each of its 78 sts sits over one of the 78 sts of Rnd 22.
Whipstitch through the collar’s back loops and the top of Rnd 22. Sew the two short ends of the collar together. Keep your tension firm but not tight. If the seam puckers, loosen it; if the collar gapes, tighten it.
Seeds. Sew 8 seeds evenly around Rnd 8 (about every 10–11 sts), with the points facing up. Sew 8 more around Rnd 12, offset by half a space. Sew the last 8 around Rnd 16, lined up with Rnd 8.
Once the seeds are on, the flat width at Rnd 16 should still be 11.25 in (28.6 cm). If it isn’t, the seed stitches are pulling the fabric, so loosen them.
Border
Gauge: sc and rev sc at 16 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm). Worked 1:1 on 78 sts, the rim is 19.5 in (49.5 cm) around.
Join sage green (CC1) at the top of Rnd 22, working above the collar seam.
- Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in each st. Join. (78)
- Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in each st. Join. (78)
- Rnd 25: Ch 1, rev sc in each st. Join. (78) Fasten off.
Why the math works: each rim round puts exactly 1 st in each of the 78 sts below, and adds none. This makes a straight, firm band. Rev sc pulls in slightly, so the opening stays at 6.2 in (15.7 cm) across instead of flaring. The rim adds about 0.6 in (1.5 cm), which brings the total height to 6.1 in (15.5 cm).
Attaching the handles.
- Mark rim sts 13 and 26 on one half, and sts 52 and 65 on the other. Each pair is a 13-st gap, 3.25 in (8.3 cm) wide.
- Overlap each handle end 0.75 in (1.9 cm) inside the basket, covering Rnds 22–24, and sew it down securely.
- Each handle should rise about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) above the rim.
- Sew one flower onto the collar just below each handle end.
Final Blocking
- Lightly mist the basket until it is damp, not wet.
- Slip it over a bowl or a balloon about 7 in (17.8 cm) across.
- Smooth out the bulge so the widest flat width is 11.25 in (28.6 cm).
- Pin the leaf points down and outward.
- Pin the flower petals open.
- Stand the handles upright, using rolled paper as a support.
- Leave to dry completely, for 12–24 hours.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Base is about 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across, and the basket sits level
- Stitch counts are 72, 84, 90, 84 and 78 at each stage
- Lemon-peel bumps are staggered with no stacked columns
- Collar has 13 leaves, evenly spaced, with no gap at the seam
- 24 seeds sit in 3 staggered rounds
- 4 flowers sit below the handle ends
- Handles are the same height and firmly anchored
- Rim measures 9.75 in (24.8 cm) laid flat
Troubleshooting
- Base cups: Your tension is too tight. Go up a hook size for the base only.
- Base ruffles: Go down a hook size.
- Bumps line up in columns: You worked two rounds of the same type in a row. Check the A/B alternation.
- Collar too long or short: Count the Row 1 sts. There must be 78.
- Floppy body: Use cotton yarn, a smaller hook or stiffer blocking.
- Handles stretch: Close them with tighter sl sts and sew them deeper into the rim.
- Seeds sink in: Sew them over the dc bumps, not into the hollows.
Care
Hand wash cool, reshape while damp and dry flat over a bowl. Avoid the dryer, because heat can distort the bulge and the handles.
Final Notes
Here is the whole measurement chain:
– Base: 72 sts, 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across
– Body: grows from 72 to 90 sts, with a widest flat width of 11.25 in (28.6 cm), then narrows to 78 sts at 9.75 in (24.8 cm)
– Collar: 78 sts with 13 leaves of 6 sts each
– Rim: 78 sts, bringing the basket to 6.1 in (15.5 cm) tall
– Handles: 10 in (25.4 cm) each, for 9.6 in (24.4 cm) overall
If each checkpoint matches, the berry will too. Happy crocheting!