The Hearthside Hanging Basket is a soft but sturdy wall organizer for a bedside, entryway, or bathroom. It hangs from a single loop and holds a small notebook, lotion, spray bottles, and other everyday items. A cream cable pocket on the front gives you a second spot for glasses or a phone.
The body is a warm taupe (mushroom beige) worked in dense single crochet. The pocket is cream, with three vertical rope cables framed by a single crochet edge. The overall look is calm and cozy, and the pocket has a sweater-knit feel.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished basket is about 8.5 in (21.6 cm) wide when flattened and 8.5 in (21.6 cm) tall from base to rim. The hanging loop adds about 3 in (7.6 cm), so the total hanging height is about 11.5 in (29.2 cm).
Construction is simple. You crochet an oval base, work the walls straight up in joined rounds, and finish with a two-round rim. The cable pocket is worked flat in rows, edged with one round of single crochet, and sewn to the front. A separate strap is sewn inside the back rim to form the hanging loop.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 8.5 in (21.6 cm) wide flattened x 8.5 in (21.6 cm) tall; about 11.5 in (29.2 cm) including the loop
- Skill level: Intermediate (front post cables)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Aran / worsted (#4 medium)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 3 (body, pocket, strap), sewn together into one basket
- Layout: pocket centered on the front; strap ends sewn inside the back rim
- Base size: about 7.25 in (18.4 cm) x 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- Body size before rim: 8.5 in (21.6 cm) wide x 8 in (20.3 cm) tall
- Pocket size before border: about 5.3 in (13.5 cm) x 5.5 in (14.0 cm)
- Pocket size after border: about 5.8 in (14.7 cm) x 6 in (15.2 cm)
- Border depth: about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the pocket; about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) for the body rim
Materials
Choose a smooth cotton, cotton blend, or wool blend in Aran or worsted weight. A firm, round yarn shows the cables clearly and helps the basket keep its shape.
- Taupe (main color): 130 g, about 235 m (for the body and strap)
- Cream (contrast color): 40 g, about 72 m (for the pocket)
These quantities assume a yarn of about 180 m per 100 g. They include a margin of roughly 15 percent to cover your gauge swatch and differences in tension.
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Straight pins or clips
- Scissors and a tape measure
- Spray bottle and blocking mat
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- FPdc – front post double crochet: yo, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of the indicated st, yo and pull up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.
- FPtr – front post treble crochet: yo twice, insert hook around the post as for FPdc, yo and pull up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times.
Special stitch – C4F (cable 4 front): Skip the next 2 post sts and FPtr around each of the next 2 post sts. Then, working in front of the 2 sts you just made, FPtr around each of the 2 skipped post sts. This makes 4 sts and one twist.
Post stitch note: Each post st replaces one st of the current row. Always skip the hdc directly behind each post st so the count stays the same.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Body gauge: 14 sc and 15 rnds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in rounds.
Pocket gauge: 15 sts and 11 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in the cable pattern.
Make the pocket first. It’s the smallest piece, so it also works as your gauge swatch. Measure it before you start the body.
Checkpoints:
- Pocket before border: about 5.3 in (13.5 cm) wide x 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall.
- Base after Rnd 4: about 7.25 in (18.4 cm) long x 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide.
- Body after Rnd 20: walls about 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall; flattened width 8.5 in (21.6 cm).
- Body after Rnd 34: walls about 8 in (20.3 cm) tall.
If your pieces come out too big, go down 0.5 mm in hook size. If they’re too small, go up 0.5 mm. For the body, a firm fabric matters more than the exact size, so don’t go up a hook size if the fabric already feels loose.
Pocket (Cream)
The pocket is worked flat in rows. Turn at the end of every row. The ch 1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.
Row 1 (WS): Ch 22, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (20 hdc)
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first 2 sts, [FPdc around each of next 4 sts, hdc in next 2 sts] 3 times. Turn. (20 sts: 12 FPdc, 8 hdc)
Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn. (20 hdc)
Row 4 (RS, cross row): Ch 1, hdc in first 2 sts, [C4F over the next 4 post sts two rows below, hdc in next 2 sts] 3 times. Turn. (20 sts: 12 FPtr, 8 hdc)
Row 5 (WS): Repeat Row 3. (20 hdc)
Row 6 (RS, plain row): Ch 1, hdc in first 2 sts, [FPdc around each of next 4 post sts two rows below, hdc in next 2 sts] 3 times. Turn. (20 sts)
Row 7 (WS): Repeat Row 3. (20 hdc)
Rows 8–14: Repeat Rows 4–7 once, then Rows 4–6 once more. (20 sts in each row)
Row 15 (WS): Repeat Row 3. Do not fasten off. (20 hdc)
You now have three rope cables, each with 3 twists (Rows 4, 8, and 12), separated by 2-st hdc channels. Check the size: it should be about 5.3 in (13.5 cm) x 5.5 in (14.0 cm). The edging is in the Border section below.
Body (Taupe)
The body is worked in joined rounds. At the end of every round, sl st to the first sc. Start each round with ch 1, which does not count as a stitch. Do not turn.
Oval Base
Rnd 1: Ch 21. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 18 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the foundation chain, sc in next 18 ch, then 2 sc in the last ch (the same ch as the first sc). Join. (42 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 18 sts, [2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 18 sts, [2 sc in next st] 2 times. Join. (48 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 18 sts, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 18 sts, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 2 times. Join. (54 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 18 sts, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 18 sts, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] 2 times. Join. (60 sc)
The base has two straight sides of 18 sts and two rounded ends. Check the size: about 7.25 in (18.4 cm) x 2.25 in (5.7 cm). The base should lie flat, without ruffling or cupping.
Walls
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around. Join. (60 sc)
This round makes a clean fold line where the base turns up into the walls.
Rnds 6–34: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sc in each round)
After Rnd 20, the walls should be about 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall. After Rnd 34, they should be about 8 in (20.3 cm) tall. Flattened, the basket is 30 sts wide on each side, or 8.5 in (21.6 cm). Do not fasten off; you’ll work the rim in the Border section.
Strap (Taupe)
Row 1: Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (4 sc)
Rows 2–32: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (4 sc in each row)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The strap is about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide x 8.5 in (21.6 cm) long.
Make All Pieces
Make 1 of each piece:
- Body: 1 in taupe (60 sts around, 36 rounds including the rim)
- Strap: 1 in taupe (4 sts x 32 rows)
- Pocket: 1 in cream (20 sts x 15 rows plus a 1-round border)
Layout (body flattened, front view):
[ strap loop ] <- ends sewn inside back rim
+----------------------------+ rim (Rnds 35-36)
| 1.5 in (3.8 cm) gap |
| +--------------------+ |
| | cable cable cable | | pocket 5.8 x 6 in
| | || || || | | (14.7 x 15.2 cm)
| +--------------------+ |
| 1 in (2.5 cm) gap |
+----------------------------+ base fold (Rnd 5)
Joining
Sew all pieces with a tapestry needle and whipstitch, using matching yarn.
Pocket: Flatten the body so the two straight 18-st sides of the base lie at the front and back. The round joins sit at one side fold, so either flat side can be the front. Pin the pocket so its bottom edge sits 1 in (2.5 cm) above the base fold and its top edge sits 1.5 in (3.8 cm) below the rim. Center it from side to side, leaving about 1.35 in (3.4 cm) on each side.
Sew the two side edges and the bottom edge, and leave the top edge open. Work stitch to stitch: make one whipstitch through each border sc and the body sc directly beneath it. Along the sides, follow a single column of body sts so the pocket stays straight. Slide a small hardcover book inside the basket so you don’t catch the back wall.
Strap: On the back half of the rim (30 sts), count 11 sts in from one side fold and place markers in sts 12 and 19. Inside the basket, place one strap end over sts 12–15 and the other end over sts 16–19, making sure the strap isn’t twisted. Each end should overlap the inside wall by 1 in (2.5 cm), which is 4 rows. Whipstitch all four edges of each overlap firmly.
Tension: Pull each stitch snug but not tight. The pocket should lie flat with no puckers, and the strap should be secure enough to carry the full basket.
Size checkpoint: The loop rises about 3 in (7.6 cm) above the rim, for a total hanging height of about 11.5 in (29.2 cm).
Border
Pocket Border (Cream)
Border gauge: Along the top and bottom edges, the sc border matches the cable fabric at 15 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm). Along the sides, 20 sc across 15 rows matches the row gauge of 11 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm).
Rnd 1 (RS): After Row 15, turn so the RS faces you. Ch 1, 3 sc in first st, sc in next 18 sts, 3 sc in last st. Working down the side, work 20 sc evenly across the 15 row ends (1 sc in each row end, plus 1 extra sc in every 3rd row end). Working across the foundation chain, 3 sc in first ch, sc in next 18 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Work 20 sc evenly up the second side in the same way. Join to the first sc. (88 sc)
Counts per side (each count includes its 2 corner center sts):
- Top: 22 sts
- Side: 24 sts
- Bottom: 22 sts
- Side: 24 sts
22 + 24 + 22 + 24 = 92. Each of the 4 corner sts is counted on two sides, so 92 − 4 = 88 sts in total.
Why the math works: The top and bottom each have the panel’s 20 sts plus 1 extra sc from each corner group. Each long side has 20 sc for the 15 rows, plus 2 corner sts and 2 extra corner sc. At 15 sts per 4 in (10.2 cm), 20 sc cover the 5.5 in (14.0 cm) side, so the edges stay flat. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Body Rim (Taupe)
Rnd 35: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sc)
Rnd 36: Sl st loosely in each st around. Join to the first sl st. (60 sl st)
The rim keeps 60 sts, or 30 per flattened side, so the opening stays as wide as the walls. The slip stitch round firms the edge and gives it a neat rolled look. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends on the WS, running each through at least 2 in (5.1 cm) of stitches.
- Mist the basket lightly with water until it’s damp, not wet.
- Stuff the body with a towel so it holds its oval shape.
- Pat the pocket flat, keeping the cables straight and vertical.
- Shape the rim into a smooth oval and the loop into a round arch.
- Let it dry completely, for at least 24 hours, before hanging.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The base has 60 sts and lies flat.
- Every wall round has 60 sts.
- The walls are 8 in (20.3 cm) tall before the rim and 8.5 in (21.6 cm) after it.
- The pocket has 20 sts per row and 3 cables with 3 twists each.
- The pocket border has 88 sts, with 22/24/22/24 per side.
- The pocket is centered, sits 1 in (2.5 cm) above the base fold, and is open at the top.
- The strap ends overlap 1 in (2.5 cm) and are sewn on all edges.
- The loop rises about 3 in (7.6 cm) and isn’t twisted.
Troubleshooting
The base ruffles: You have too many increases or loose tension. Recount Rnds 2–4 and try a smaller hook.
The base cups upward: You missed some increases. Check that each base round ends with the stated count.
The pocket count drifts: You forgot to skip the hdc behind a post st. Count 20 sts at the end of every row.
The cables look flat: Work each post st around the post st two rows below, not around the WS hdc.
The pocket puckers after sewing: The whipstitch is too tight. Remove it and resew with even, moderate tension.
The basket tilts when hung: The strap is off-center. Check that there’s an 11-st gap on each side of the strap.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry, reshaping the oval while it’s damp. Don’t wring or tumble dry, because that can stretch the strap.
Final Notes
Each stage of this pattern builds on a measurement you can check. The pocket, at 15 sts per 4 in (10.2 cm), gives a 5.3 in (13.5 cm) panel and a 5.8 in (14.7 cm) finished pocket. The body, at 14 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm), gives 30 sts per flattened side, or 8.5 in (21.6 cm). Thirty wall rounds give 8 in (20.3 cm), and the rim brings the height to 8.5 in (21.6 cm). The strap adds a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop, for a total hanging height of 11.5 in (29.2 cm).
Happy crocheting!