This set gives a bathroom a calm, spa-like look. It has two teardrop hanging baskets for rolled washcloths and soap bars, plus one round counter basket for pump bottles and jars. All three are worked in one warm cream bulky cotton, so the textured single crochet fabric does the decorating.
The style is simple and practical. The dense stitches make the fabric firm enough to hold its shape when filled, and the cotton handles a humid room well. This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
The finished teardrop basket is about 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide and 13 in (33.0 cm) tall including the folded hanging loop. The round basket is about 7 in (17.8 cm) across and 5 in (12.7 cm) tall.
Both designs start with a spiral circle worked in the round. The teardrop keeps its cupped base, then works the back half in rows that taper into a strap. You fold the strap into a loop and wrap it to make the knot collar. The round basket turns sharply from a flat base into straight walls. The pieces are never joined. Each one gets its own edging.
Finished Size and Construction
- Teardrop basket: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide × 13 in (33.0 cm) tall; pocket depth 5.5 in (14.0 cm)
- Round basket: 7 in (17.8 cm) diameter × 5 in (12.7 cm) tall
- Skill level: Easy / advanced beginner
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Bulky (#5) cotton
- Hook: 6.0 mm (US J-10)
- Number of pieces: 3 separate pieces (2 teardrop baskets, 1 round basket), not joined
- Layout: Teardrops hang side by side on hooks; the round basket stands on the counter
- Round basket size before border: 7 in (17.8 cm) × 4.7 in (11.9 cm) tall
- Teardrop size before edging: 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide; the edging adds no width
- Border depth: about 0.3 in (0.8 cm) on both designs
Materials
Yarn: Use a bulky (#5) 100% cotton or cotton-blend yarn with a smooth, rounded twist, at about 100 m per 100 g. Cotton holds the basket shape better than acrylic and won’t feel limp when damp. Pick a tightly plied yarn so the stitches stay crisp.
- Cream (one color only):
- Each teardrop basket: 120 g (125 m)
- Round basket: 170 g (175 m)
- Full set total: 410 g (425 m)
These quantities include a margin of about 10% for gauge swatching and small tension differences.
Tools:
- 6.0 mm (US J-10) crochet hook
- 4 locking stitch markers
- Large-eye tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Spray bottle and pins for blocking
- A 6.5–7 in (16.5–17.8 cm) round container to block the round basket over (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
- BLO – back loop only
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- MR – magic ring
Special technique – wrapped knot collar: Hold the folded strap together at its base. Wrap a 36 in (91.4 cm) length of yarn tightly around both layers 8 times. Thread the end under all the wraps with the needle and pull it snug. This makes the knot-like band shown at the top of each teardrop.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 11 sc and 12 rows = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc. That works out to 2.75 sts and 3 rows per inch.
Make a swatch 15 sts wide and 15 rows tall, then measure the center 4 in (10.2 cm). Basket fabric should be tight. If you can easily see light through it, go down a hook size.
Make the first teardrop completely before starting the second. That tests your gauge, the shaping and the strap length on one finished piece.
Checkpoints:
- Teardrop Rnd 4: The flat circle measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across.
- Teardrop Rnd 18: Flattened, the pocket is 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide and 5.5 in (14.0 cm) deep.
- Teardrop Row 14: The tapered back panel is 4.7 in (11.9 cm) tall and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide at the top.
- Round basket Rnd 5: The base is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across.
- Round basket Rnd 10: The base is 7 in (17.8 cm) across.
- Round basket Rnd 24: The wall is 4.7 in (11.9 cm) tall.
If your piece is too big: go down to a 5.5 mm hook. If it’s too small: go up to a 6.5 mm hook. Change the hook rather than the stitch counts so the shaping math stays correct.
Teardrop Hanging Basket (Make 2)
Work in a continuous spiral. Don’t join the rounds. Move a marker to the last st of each round.
Cupped Base
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc; rep from * 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc; rep from * 6 times. (24 sts)
Check the 2.75 in (7.0 cm) diameter here.
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc 3, inc; rep from * 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)
Rnd 8: Sc 4, inc; rep from * 6 times. (36 sts)
The even rounds between increases (Rnds 5 and 7) make the base cup upward instead of lying flat. That gives the teardrop its rounded bottom.
Pocket Walls
Rnds 9–18: Sc in each st around. (36 sts in each round)
At the end of Rnd 18, sl st into the next st. Flatten the pocket so the sl st sits at one side fold. Each flattened layer is 18 sts, which is 6.5 in (16.5 cm). Place a marker in the 18th st after the sl st. The 18 sts from the sl st to this marker form the back. The other 18 sts are the front rim and stay unworked for now.
Tapered Back Panel
Now work in rows over the 18 back sts only.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of the 18 back sts, turn. (18 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog, turn. (16 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (16 sts)
Row 4: Rep Row 2. (14 sts)
Row 5: Rep Row 3. (14 sts)
Row 6: Rep Row 2. (12 sts)
Row 7: Rep Row 3. (12 sts)
Row 8: Rep Row 2. (10 sts)
Row 9: Rep Row 3. (10 sts)
Row 10: Rep Row 2. (8 sts)
Row 11: Rep Row 3. (8 sts)
Row 12: Rep Row 2. (6 sts)
Row 13: Rep Row 3. (6 sts)
Row 14: Rep Row 2. (4 sts)
The panel loses 2 sts on each of the 7 decrease rows: 18 − (7 × 2) = 4. It narrows 2.5 in (6.4 cm) over 4.7 in (11.9 cm) of height, which makes the teardrop slope.
Hanging Strap
Rows 15–32: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (4 sts in each row; 18 rows)
The strap is 6 in (15.2 cm) long and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide. Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
Form the Loop
Fold the strap in half toward the back so the last row lines up with Row 14. Whipstitch the last row to Row 14 with the tail. This makes a loop about 3 in (7.6 cm) long. Then work the wrapped knot collar over the doubled base of the loop and weave in the ends.
Round Counter Basket (Make 1)
Work in a continuous spiral, moving a marker to the last st of each round.
Flat Base
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc in ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc; rep from * 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc; rep from * 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc 3, inc; rep from * 6 times. (30 sts)
Checkpoint: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across.
Rnd 6: Sc 4, inc; rep from * 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: Sc 5, inc; rep from * 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: Sc 6, inc; rep from * 6 times. (48 sts)
Rnd 9: Sc 7, inc; rep from * 6 times. (54 sts)
Rnd 10: Sc 8, inc; rep from * 6 times. (60 sts)
Checkpoint: 7 in (17.8 cm) across, lying completely flat. If it ruffles, your gauge is loose. If it cups, it’s tight.
Turned Edge and Walls
Rnd 11: Sc in BLO of each st around. (60 sts)
The unused front loops form a neat ridge at the bottom edge, and the fabric turns upward.
Rnds 12–24: Sc in each st around. (60 sts in each round)
The wall is now 14 rounds (Rnds 11–24) tall, which is 4.7 in (11.9 cm). The border comes next.
Make All Pieces
Quantities (all in Cream):
- Teardrop hanging basket × 2 (240 g / 250 m)
- Round counter basket × 1 (170 g / 175 m)
Display layout:
[ hook ] [ hook ]
[Teardrop 1] [Teardrop 2]
(washcloths) (soap bars)
[ Round Basket ]
(on counter)
The pieces aren’t joined. Each one is finished and used on its own, so there is no joining section.
Border
Border gauge: Same as the body, 11 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). Slip stitches are worked 1 per st and are slightly tighter.
Teardrop Opening Edging
The opening forms a U: down the right slope, across the front rim, and up the left slope.
Row 1: With the front facing, join yarn at the top of the right slope where Row 14 meets the strap. Work 14 sc evenly down the right slope (1 sc in each row end of Rows 14–1). Work 1 sc in each of the 18 front rim sts. Work 14 sc up the left slope (1 sc in each row end of Rows 1–14). Turn. (46 sts: 14 + 18 + 14)
Row 2: Ch 1, sl st loosely in each sc across. (46 sts)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Why the math works: The front rim uses its existing 18 sts 1-for-1, so the width stays at 6.5 in (16.5 cm). Each slope is about 5.3 in (13.5 cm) long on the diagonal. The 14 sc on each slope cover 5.1 in (13.0 cm), so the edge is pulled in very slightly. That keeps the opening firm instead of gaping. Row 2 adds no stitches and stiffens the rim.
Round Basket Rim
Rnd 25 (rim round 1): Sc in each st around. (60 sts: 60 worked 1-per-existing-stitch + 0 added)
Rnd 26 (rim round 2): Sl st loosely in each st around. (60 sts: 60 worked 1-per-existing-stitch + 0 added)
Fasten off with an invisible join and weave in the end.
Why the math works: The walls are already 60 sts, which is 21.8 in (55.4 cm) around, or 7 in (17.8 cm) across. Working the rim 1-for-1 keeps it straight-sided, and the slip stitches tighten the top edge a little so it doesn’t flare. The two rounds add about 0.3 in (0.8 cm), so the total height goes from 4.7 in (11.9 cm) to 5 in (12.7 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends securely, following the stitch direction.
- Spray each piece with cool water until it is damp but not dripping.
- Round basket: Slip it over a 6.5–7 in (16.5–17.8 cm) round container. Smooth the walls upright and press the BLO ridge into a crisp edge.
- Teardrops: Stuff each pocket with a rolled hand towel to round out the base. Lay it flat, pat it to 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide, and pin the slopes straight.
- Pin the hanging loop flat at 3 in (7.6 cm).
- Let everything dry completely, usually 24 hours, before using the baskets.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The teardrop base is cupped and smooth, with no point or bump at the center.
- Each teardrop is 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide, with a pocket depth of 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
- The back panel tapers evenly from 18 sts to 4, and both slopes are mirror images.
- The loop is 3 in (7.6 cm), and the wrapped collar is tight and tidy.
- The edging is flat with 14 + 18 + 14 sts and no gaps at the corners.
- The round basket base is flat at 7 in (17.8 cm), and the turned ridge goes all the way around.
- The round basket walls are straight at 5 in (12.7 cm) total height, and the rim doesn’t flare.
- Both teardrops match each other within 0.25 in (0.6 cm).
- All ends are hidden.
Troubleshooting
Teardrop base is pointy: You skipped an even round. Make sure Rnds 5 and 7 have no increases.
Round basket base ruffles: Your gauge is too loose. Go down a hook size, or stagger the increase positions in each round.
Walls lean outward: Check that Rnd 11 is worked in BLO and that every round stays at 60 sts.
Slopes are uneven: Decrease at both ends of the same row only, and count after every row.
Opening gapes: Tighten Row 2 of the edging, or skip 1 row end on each slope (13 + 18 + 13 = 44 sts).
Strap stretches when loaded: Add 2 more wraps to the collar and whipstitch the doubled strap together along its sides.
Spiral jog at the rim: Finish with an invisible join instead of a slip stitch join.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Reshape the baskets while damp and air dry flat or over a container. Don’t tumble dry, so the walls stay firm.
Final Notes
Everything depends on a gauge of 11 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm). For the teardrop, 36 sts give a 6.5 in (16.5 cm) pocket. Splitting it into 18 back sts and tapering by 2 every other row gives a 4-st strap, which folds into a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop. A 46-st edging finishes the opening. For the round basket, 60 sts give a 7 in (17.8 cm) base, 14 wall rounds give 4.7 in (11.9 cm), and a 1-for-1 rim brings it to 5 in (12.7 cm). Check each stage and the whole set will match.
Happy crocheting!