The Lavender Tulip Trio is a three-tier hanging basket organizer. Three round cream baskets in graduated sizes are stacked on two braided-look cream straps, and the straps meet in a peak that hooks over a wall peg. Each basket wall has a band of lilac puff-stitch tulips over cream fans and pairs of sage-green leaves, with a rolled cream rim at the top.
It is sized to hold one standard toilet roll per tier, but it works just as well for washcloths, hair ties, or small plants. The style is soft cottage-garden: three colors, chunky texture, and a clean solid base.
All instructions use US crochet terms. Finished baskets measure 5.5 in (14.0 cm), 6 in (15.2 cm), and 6.5 in (16.5 cm) across, and each is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. Hung, the whole organizer is about 19.5 in (49.5 cm) from the bottom of the large basket to the peak.
Construction is simple. Each basket starts as a flat circle worked in joined rounds. You turn up the wall with a back-loop round, then work the leaf, fan, and tulip rounds, and finish with a rim. Next you make two flat straps, sew them to opposite sides of all three baskets, and join the strap tops to form the hanging peak.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: small basket 5.5 in (14.0 cm) diameter; medium 6 in (15.2 cm); large 6.5 in (16.5 cm); all 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
- Hung height: about 19.5 in (49.5 cm)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8)
- Number of pieces: 5 (3 baskets, 2 straps)
- Layout: 3 baskets stacked vertically, 2 in (5.1 cm) apart, large at the bottom
- Piece size: see diameters above; each strap is 20.6 in (52.3 cm) long
- Size before border (rim): wall height 2.2 in (5.6 cm)
- Border (rim) depth: 0.8 in (2.0 cm), for a final wall height of 3 in (7.6 cm)
Materials
A smooth worsted cotton or cotton blend is best. Cotton stretches less than acrylic, so the straps keep their length once loaded, and puff stitches stay crisp in cotton. Choose yarn of about 170 m per 100 g.
- Cream (main color): 180 g, about 306 m
- Lilac (tulips): 60 g, about 102 m
- Sage green (leaves): 45 g, about 77 m
Tools:
- 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- 6 stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins, spray bottle, and three straight-sided forms (jars or cans) for blocking
All yarn quantities include a margin of about 15% for swatching and joining.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- BLO – back loop only
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- MR – magic ring
- rep – repeat
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Puff stitch (puff): Yarn over, insert hook in the stitch or space, yarn over, and pull up a loop to the height of a dc. Repeat from * 2 more times (7 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through all 7 loops. Do not close with a chain. Each puff counts as 1 stitch.
Tulip: (Puff, ch 1, puff, ch 1, puff) in the same stitch. Counts as 5 stitches: 3 puffs and 2 ch-1 sps.
Crab stitch (reverse sc): Working left to right (right-handed), insert hook in the next stitch to the right, pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through 2 loops.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 14 sc and 16 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc, which is 3.5 sts per inch.
Make the small basket first and use it as your gauge piece. Check your size at these points:
- Base Round 6 (36 sts): about 3.3 in (8.4 cm) across
- Base Round 10 (60 sts): 5.5 in (14.0 cm) across
- After wall Round B: wall is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall
- After wall Round E: wall is 2.2 in (5.6 cm) tall
- After the rim: wall is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
If your base is more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) too large at Round 10, go down half a hook size. If it is too small, go up half a size. A base that ruffles means your tension is too loose for the increases. A base that cups means it is too tight.
Basket Base (Make 1 in Each Size)
Use cream. Work in joined rounds: begin each round with ch 1 (does not count) and end it with a sl st to the first sc.
- Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Round 2: Inc in each st. (12)
- Round 3: Sc 1, inc; rep around. (18)
- Round 4: Sc 2, inc; rep around. (24)
- Round 5: Sc 3, inc; rep around. (30)
- Round 6: Sc 4, inc; rep around. (36)
- Round 7: Sc 5, inc; rep around. (42)
- Round 8: Sc 6, inc; rep around. (48)
- Round 9: Sc 7, inc; rep around. (54)
- Round 10: Sc 8, inc; rep around. (60)
Small basket: stop here. Base = 60 sts, 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
- Round 11 (medium and large): Sc 9, inc; rep around. (66)
Medium basket: stop here. Base = 66 sts, 6 in (15.2 cm).
- Round 12 (large only): Sc 10, inc; rep around. (72)
Large basket: Base = 72 sts, 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
From here on, S is your basket’s stitch count: 60, 66, or 72. All three are multiples of 6, so the 6-stitch motif repeats evenly: 10, 11, or 12 tulips.
Basket Wall
Do not fasten off. Continue in joined rounds. To change color, work the last yarn over of the joining sl st with the new color, or join the new color with a sl st where indicated. Leave 6 in (15.2 cm) tails.
- Round A (turn-up, cream): Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, sl st to join. S worked 1-per-stitch + 0 added = S (60/66/72). The unused front loops form a ridge, and the wall starts to rise.
- Round B (cream): Ch 1, sc in each st around. On the final sl st, pull through with green. Fasten off cream. (S)
Checkpoint: wall is 0.5 in (1.3 cm) tall.
- Round C (leaves, green): Ch 1. (Puff, ch 1, puff) in next st, sk 1, sc in next 3 sts, sk 1; rep around. Sl st to the top of the first puff. Each repeat uses 6 sts and makes 6 sts (2 puffs, 1 ch-1 sp, 3 sc). (S; 10/11/12 leaf pairs)
Each pair of puffs leans outward into a V, which gives the two-leaf look. Fasten off green.
- Round D (fans, cream): Join cream in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 4 dc in the same sp. Sk puff, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, sk 1 sc, sk puff, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep around, ending with sk puff, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, sk 1 sc, sk puff. Sl st to top of ch-3. Each repeat uses 6 sts and makes 6 sts (5 dc + 1 sc). (S)
Each fan sits directly above one leaf pair. Fasten off cream.
Checkpoint: wall is about 1.6 in (4.1 cm) tall.
- Round E (tulips, lilac): Join lilac in the center (3rd) dc of any fan. Ch 1 (does not count), tulip in the same st. Sk 2 dc, sc in next sc, sk 2 dc, tulip in next center dc; rep around, ending with sk 2 dc, sc in last sc, sk 2 dc. Sl st to the first puff. Each repeat uses 6 sts and makes 6 sts (5 for the tulip + 1 sc). (S; 10/11/12 tulips)
Fasten off lilac.
Checkpoint: wall is 2.2 in (5.6 cm) tall before the rim.
Make All Pieces
Straps (Make 2)
Use cream.
- Foundation: Ch 73.
- Row 1: Sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (72)
- Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sl st in BLO of each sc across. (72) Fasten off and leave a 24 in (61.0 cm) tail.
The BLO slip stitches make a raised, braided-looking ridge. The strap is about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide and 72 ÷ 3.5 = 20.6 in (52.3 cm) long.
Place markers along each strap to divide it into segments, counting from the end that will sit at the bottom:
- Sts 1–11: large basket wall (3.1 in, 7.9 cm)
- Sts 12–18: gap (2 in, 5.1 cm)
- Sts 19–29: medium basket wall (3.1 in, 7.9 cm)
- Sts 30–36: gap (2 in, 5.1 cm)
- Sts 37–47: small basket wall (3.1 in, 7.9 cm)
- Sts 48–72: rising leg to the peak (7.1 in, 18.0 cm)
Check: 11 + 7 + 11 + 7 + 11 + 25 = 72.
Totals per Color
- Cream: 3 bases, wall Rounds A, B, and D on each basket, rim Rounds F–H on each basket, 2 straps
- Green: Round C on 3 baskets (10 + 11 + 12 = 33 leaf pairs)
- Lilac: Round E on 3 baskets (10 + 11 + 12 = 33 tulips)
Layout
/\ peak (strap tops joined)
/ \ rising legs, 25 sts each
|SMALL| 60 sts, 5.5 in (14.0 cm)
| | gap 7 sts, 2 in (5.1 cm)
|MEDIUM| 66 sts, 6 in (15.2 cm)
| | gap 7 sts, 2 in (5.1 cm)
| LARGE | 72 sts, 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
Border (Rim)
Work the rim on each basket after Round E. The rim gauge is the same as the body: 3.5 sts per inch, with 3 rounds to 0.8 in (2.0 cm).
Each strap sits halfway around the basket, so think of each basket as having 2 “sides” between strap positions: 30/33/36 sts per side.
- Round F (cream): Join cream in the first puff of any tulip. Ch 1, sc in each puff, each ch-1 sp, and each sc around. Sl st to join. This is 1 sc per existing stitch + 0 added: per repeat, 3 puffs + 2 ch-1 sps + 1 sc = 6. (S: 60/66/72; 30/33/36 per side)
- Round G (cream): Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (S; 30/33/36 per side)
- Round H (cream): Ch 1, crab stitch in each st around, sl st to join. (S; 30/33/36 per side) Fasten off and weave in the end.
Why the math works: every wall and rim round keeps exactly S stitches. Each 6-stitch repeat uses 6 and makes 6, so the walls go straight up with no flare. Since S/2 is a whole number for all three sizes (30, 33, 36), the two straps always land exactly opposite each other.
Checkpoint: wall is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall; diameter is unchanged from the base.
Joining
Method: whipstitch with cream, using the strap tail and a tapestry needle.
- On each basket, place a marker in any Round A stitch. Count S/2 sts (30/33/36) and place a second marker. These are the strap positions.
- On the large basket, line strap st 1 up with the Round A ridge at the first marker, with the braided side facing out. Stitch strap sts 1–11 flat up the wall, taking one stitch through each strap stitch into the nearest wall stitch in that column. The 11 strap sts cover 8 wall rounds, so ease them evenly. St 11 should reach the crab-stitch rim.
- Leave sts 12–18 free; this is the 2 in (5.1 cm) gap.
- Sew sts 19–29 to the medium basket and sts 37–47 to the small basket the same way, again starting at the Round A ridge.
- Repeat with the second strap at the opposite marker on every basket.
- At the bottom and the rim of each basket, take 2 extra stitches through both the strap and the wall. These points carry the weight.
- Butt the free ends of the two straps (st 72) together and whipstitch them securely to form the peak.
Tension: keep your sewing stitches snug but flat. If you pull too hard, the wall will pucker behind the strap. Before you sew the second strap, hold the organizer up by the first strap to check that the gaps match.
Checkpoint: each gap measures 2 in (5.1 cm), and the organizer hangs about 19.5 in (49.5 cm) tall. Because the large basket is wider, the straps lean in very slightly as they go up, which is expected.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all remaining ends on the inside of each basket.
- Mist each basket lightly with water until it is damp, not soaked.
- Slide each basket over a straight-sided jar or can about the same diameter: 5.5, 6, or 6.5 in (14.0, 15.2, or 16.5 cm).
- Push the bases flat and shape the walls straight. Pinch each tulip and leaf pair so the puffs sit evenly.
- Lay the straps flat and pin them straight. Do not stretch them.
- Let everything dry completely, about 12–24 hours.
- Hang the organizer on its peg and check that the baskets hang level.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Bases lie flat and measure 5.5, 6, and 6.5 in (14.0, 15.2, and 16.5 cm).
- Every wall and rim round has S stitches (60/66/72).
- There are 10/11/12 tulips, each sitting above a fan and a leaf pair.
- Walls are 3 in (7.6 cm) tall and straight.
- The straps are exactly opposite each other on every basket.
- The gaps between baskets are 2 in (5.1 cm).
- The peak join is secure, and there are no visible ends.
Troubleshooting
- Walls flare outward: your puffs or dc are too loose. Try pulling up shorter loops, or use a 4.5 mm hook for Rounds C–E only.
- Walls lean inward: Round F was worked too tight. Redo it with a looser tension.
- Tulips look flat: pull up all puff loops to the same height before you close the puff.
- Basket hangs crooked: the straps are not exactly opposite each other. Recount S/2 and re-sew.
- Straps stretch under load: switch to cotton, or add a third sl st row along the back.
- Gaps between colors show: join each new color with a sl st, and pull the tails snug before you weave them in.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry, reshaping over the blocking forms. Do not tumble dry, because the heat can loosen the puff stitches and stretch the straps.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and checkable. The gauge of 3.5 sts per inch gives bases of 60, 66, and 72 sts that measure 5.5, 6, and 6.5 in (14.0, 15.2, and 16.5 cm). Walls stay at S stitches and rise to 2.2 in (5.6 cm). The 0.8 in (2.0 cm) rim brings them to 3 in (7.6 cm). Straps of 72 sts measure 20.6 in (52.3 cm) and space the baskets 2 in (5.1 cm) apart, for a hung height of about 19.5 in (49.5 cm). If your measurements match at each checkpoint, the finished organizer will match too.
Happy crocheting!