This three-tier hanging basket gives fruit and vegetable storage a soft cottage-kitchen look. Three round baskets in dusty rose hang one above the other on cream twisted cords. Each basket has a plump cream rim that matches the rope.
The walls are worked in waistcoat stitch. This stitch stacks into neat vertical columns that look almost knitted. The flat bases are plain single crochet, and a back-loop round where the base turns up gives each basket a crisp bottom edge. You need only two colors: Dusty Rose for the baskets and Cream for the rims and cords.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The baskets are graduated: Small is 8.25 in (21.0 cm) across, Medium is 9.5 in (24.1 cm) and Large is 10.75 in (27.3 cm). Each one is 4 in (10.2 cm) tall. The assembled hanger is about 48 in (121.9 cm) long, measured from the hanging loop to the bottom of the lowest basket.
Construction is simple:
1. Crochet three bases in joined rounds.
2. Turn up the walls without increasing.
3. Add a three-round cream rim.
4. Make three twisted cords and knot them through each rim at evenly spaced points.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: about 48 in (121.9 cm) long overall and 10.75 in (27.3 cm) across the widest basket
- Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Bulky (#5) cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 6.0 mm (US J-10)
- Number of pieces: 3 baskets + 3 twisted cords
- Layout: vertical stack with Small on top, Medium in the middle and Large on the bottom
- Piece size: Small 8.25 in (21.0 cm), Medium 9.5 in (24.1 cm) and Large 10.75 in (27.3 cm) in diameter; all are 4 in (10.2 cm) tall
- Size before border (rim): walls 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
- Border depth: about 1 in (2.5 cm) of cream rim
Materials
Choose a firm bulky cotton or cotton blend of about 142 yd (130 m) per 100 g. Cotton holds its shape under the weight of potatoes and apples much better than acrylic does, and it washes well.
- Dusty Rose (bases and walls): 250 g, about 325 m (355 yd)
- Cream (rims and cords): 150 g, about 195 m (213 yd)
These amounts include a margin for swatching and cord twisting.
Tools:
- 6.0 mm (US J-10) crochet hook
- 4 stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors and measuring tape
- A door handle or hook to anchor the cords while you twist them
- Optional: three plastic-canvas circles cut to fit the bases, for extra stiffness
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
- BLO: back loop only
- ws: waistcoat stitch
- rev sc: reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- st(s): stitch(es)
Waistcoat stitch (ws): Look at the sc below. Its two vertical legs form a V. Insert your hook through the center of that V, between the legs and below the top loops. Yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. Each ws sits directly on top of the one below it, which builds the vertical columns on the walls.
Reverse single crochet (rev sc): Work from left to right (if you are right-handed). Insert your hook into the next st to the right and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. This makes the rolled, rope-like rim.
All rounds are joined. At the end of each round, sl st to the first st, then ch 1. The ch 1 does not count as a st.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 12 sts and 13 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc. Waistcoat stitch should match this gauge if you keep your tension relaxed.
Make the Small basket first. It uses the least yarn and shows any gauge problem quickly.
Checkpoints:
- After base Round 6 (36 sts): the circle measures 3.75 in (9.5 cm) across.
- After the last base round: Small 8.25 in (21.0 cm), Medium 9.5 in (24.1 cm) and Large 10.75 in (27.3 cm).
- After the pink wall rounds: the wall is 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
- After the rim: the total height is 4 in (10.2 cm).
If your circle is too big, use a hook 0.5 mm smaller. If it is too small, use a hook 0.5 mm larger. If the base cups upward, you are crocheting too tightly. If it ruffles, you are crocheting too loosely. Fix your gauge before you continue.
Basket Base (All Sizes)
With Dusty Rose, make a magic ring.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring, join. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 3: sc 1, inc 6 times. (18)
- Rnd 4: sc 1, inc, sc 2, inc 5 times, sc 1. (24)
- Rnd 5: sc 3, inc 6 times. (30)
- Rnd 6: sc 2, inc, sc 4, inc 5 times, sc 2. (36)
- Rnd 7: sc 5, inc 6 times. (42)
- Rnd 8: sc 3, inc, sc 6, inc 5 times, sc 3. (48)
- Rnd 9: sc 7, inc 6 times. (54)
- Rnd 10: sc 4, inc, sc 8, inc 5 times, sc 4. (60)
- Rnd 11: sc 9, inc 6 times. (66)
- Rnd 12: sc 5, inc, sc 10, inc 5 times, sc 5. (72)
- Rnd 13: sc 11, inc 6 times. (78)
Small basket: stop here with 78 sts.
- Rnd 14: sc 6, inc, sc 12, inc 5 times, sc 6. (84)
- Rnd 15: sc 13, inc 6 times. (90)
Medium basket: stop here with 90 sts.
- Rnd 16: sc 7, inc, sc 14, inc 5 times, sc 7. (96)
- Rnd 17: sc 15, inc 6 times. (102)
Large basket: stop here with 102 sts.
Each round adds exactly 6 sts, so round n always has 6 × n sts. On the even-numbered rounds from Round 4 on, the increases move over by half a repeat. This keeps the circle round instead of hexagonal.
Basket Walls
Don’t increase from here on. Every wall round keeps the same count: 78, 90 or 102 sts.
- Wall Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around, join. (78 / 90 / 102)
The unworked front loops make a crisp ridge on the outside, so the wall turns up sharply at the base edge.
- Wall Rnds 2–10: ch 1, ws in each st around, join. (78 / 90 / 102)
That makes 10 pink wall rounds. The wall should now be 3 in (7.6 cm) tall. Fasten off Dusty Rose and weave in the end on the inside.
Make All Pieces
Make one basket in each size:
- Small: 1 basket, 13 base rounds, 78 sts
- Medium: 1 basket, 15 base rounds, 90 sts
- Large: 1 basket, 17 base rounds, 102 sts
Every basket gets the same 10 pink wall rounds and the same 3-round cream rim. After that, make 3 cream twisted cords.
Approximate yarn use per piece:
– Dusty Rose: about 55 g for the Small, 65 g for the Medium and 80 g for the Large.
– Cream: about 15–20 g for each rim and about 40 g for all three cords together.
Layout grid:
[ hanging loop, 4 in / 10.2 cm ]
|
3 cords, 18 in / 45.7 cm
|
[ TOP: Small, 8.25 in / 21.0 cm ]
|
7 in / 17.8 cm gap
|
[ MIDDLE: Medium, 9.5 in / 24.1 cm ]
|
7 in / 17.8 cm gap
|
[ BOTTOM: Large, 10.75 in / 27.3 cm ]
Border: Cream Rim
The rim is the border on each basket. Work it after the walls and before assembly.
Border gauge: 12 sts = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc, the same as the walls.
Join Cream in any st of the last wall round.
- Rim Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (78 / 90 / 102)
- Rim Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (78 / 90 / 102) Place 3 markers for the cords, dividing the round into thirds:
- Small: sts 1, 27 and 53 (26 sts apart)
- Medium: sts 1, 31 and 61 (30 sts apart)
- Large: sts 1, 35 and 69 (34 sts apart)
- Rim Rnd 3: ch 1, rev sc in each st around, join. (78 / 90 / 102) Leave the markers in Rim Rnd 2. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Why the math works: Each rim round puts exactly 1 st in each existing st. The circumference never changes, so the rim sits flush with the wall instead of flaring out or pulling in. The reverse sc adds bulk and a rolled edge but no width.
78, 90 and 102 are all divisible by 3, so the three cords are spaced exactly evenly. They sit about 8.7 in (22.1 cm) apart on the Small, 10 in (25.4 cm) on the Medium and 11.3 in (28.7 cm) on the Large.
Check the height: it should be 4 in (10.2 cm), with about 1 in (2.5 cm) of cream rim.
Joining: Twisted Cords and Assembly
Make 3 cords:
1. Cut 3 strands of Cream, each 210 in (533.4 cm) long, and knot them together at both ends.
2. Anchor one end on a door handle. Twist the other end clockwise until the strands kink back on themselves when you let them go slack.
3. Keep the cord taut, fold it in half and let it twist around itself.
4. Knot the loose ends together.
Each finished cord is about 70 in (177.8 cm) long, with a folded loop at one end.
Hanging loop: Hold the three cords together with the folded ends even. Tie all three in an overhand knot 4 in (10.2 cm) below the folded ends.
Top basket (Small):
1. Measure 18 in (45.7 cm) down each cord from the hanging knot.
2. At each marker on the Small rim, pass the cord from the outside to the inside of the wall just below Rim Rnd 1. Bring it back out 1 st over, so it wraps under exactly 1 st.
3. Tie an overhand knot snug against the outside of the rim.
4. Let the cord run straight down the outside of the wall.
5. At the base edge, pass the cord under the front-loop ridge of Wall Rnd 1, directly below the marker. Tie another overhand knot just below the base.
Middle and bottom baskets: Measure 7 in (17.8 cm) down from the knots under the Small basket and attach the Medium basket at its 3 markers the same way. Attach the Large basket 7 in (17.8 cm) below the Medium in the same way.
Stitch-to-stitch logic: Each cord goes in at a marked stitch and comes out through the stitch next to it. The base knot sits directly below the rim knot. This keeps every cord vertical and every basket level.
Tension advice: Tie each knot snugly, but not so tightly that the rim puckers. Adjust all three knots on one basket before you move on to the next.
Trim the cord tails 2 in (5.1 cm) below the last knots. Wrap each tail with a strand of Cream so it doesn’t unravel.
Size checkpoint: Hang the piece. It should measure about 48 in (121.9 cm) from the top of the loop to the bottom of the Large basket. Measure all three cords between each pair of baskets. They should match within 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
Final Blocking
- Mist each basket lightly with water until it is damp, not soaked.
- Stuff each basket firmly with a towel or a round container that fits.
- Press the base flat on a table and shape the wall straight up.
- Pinch the cream rim into a smooth, even roll.
- Let everything dry completely, which takes about 24 hours.
- If you are using them, insert the plastic-canvas circles into the bases.
- Rehang the piece and check that every basket hangs level.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The bases measure 8.25 in (21.0 cm), 9.5 in (24.1 cm) and 10.75 in (27.3 cm).
- The bases lie flat without cupping or ruffling.
- The stitch counts stay at 78, 90 and 102 from base to rim.
- Each wall has 3 in (7.6 cm) of pink and about 1 in (2.5 cm) of cream.
- The waistcoat-stitch columns run straight up the wall.
- The cords are spaced exactly one-third of the way around each rim.
- The gaps between baskets are 7 in (17.8 cm).
- All ends are woven in on the inside.
Troubleshooting
The base cups like a bowl: Your gauge is too tight. Go up 0.5 mm or relax your tension.
The base ruffles: Your gauge is too loose, or you added an extra increase. Count each round.
The walls flare outward: Check that Wall Rnd 1 was worked in BLO and that no increases crept in.
Waistcoat stitch is hard to work: Keep your loops loose and pull up the first loop a little taller.
The columns lean: A slight lean is normal with joined rounds. Always join into the first st, not the ch, and block the walls straight.
A basket tilts: Retie the knots until all three cords measure the same.
The cords untwist: They weren’t twisted enough. Twist them again before you knot them.
Care
Hand wash in cool water. Reshape and let dry with the baskets stuffed, and store only dry produce in them to avoid stains.
Final Notes
The measurement chain works like this:
– A gauge of 12 sts and 13 rounds to 4 in gives bases of 8.25 in (21.0 cm), 9.5 in (24.1 cm) and 10.75 in (27.3 cm).
– 10 wall rounds add 3 in (7.6 cm) of height.
– The cream rim brings each basket to 4 in (10.2 cm) tall.
– 18 in (45.7 cm) of cord above the top basket and two 7 in (17.8 cm) gaps give a finished length of about 48 in (121.9 cm).
Check each stage as you go and the finished hanger will hang straight and level.
Happy crocheting!