This little oval basket is made for tidy shelves. It has a firm cream single crochet body and a bold teal zigzag band around the wall. A row of small eyelets sits near the top, and a rounded, rope-like rim frames the opening.
The colors are soft and fresh: warm cream with a muted sea-green teal. The basket suits a bathroom shelf, a dresser top or a desk. It can hold cotton pads, cotton swabs, hair ties or small bottles.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. One finished basket measures about 6 in (15.2 cm) long, 3 in (7.6 cm) wide and 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall. The photo shows a matching set of three separate baskets. Each one is a single piece, so you simply work the pattern three times.
Construction is simple:
– Crochet a flat oval base around a foundation chain.
– Turn the wall up with a back-loop round.
– Work the chevron band in tapestry crochet.
– Add an eyelet round.
– Finish with a single crochet round and a reverse single crochet rim.
There is no sewing and no joining.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 6 in (15.2 cm) long x 3 in (7.6 cm) wide x 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall
- Skill level: Easy to intermediate (basic tapestry color changes)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (weight 4) cotton or cotton blend
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1 per basket (the pictured set is 3 identical baskets, not joined)
- Layout: Oval base in joined rounds; the wall is worked straight up in the round
- Base size: 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm), 60 sts around
- Size before rim: wall about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) tall
- Rim depth: about 0.25 in (0.6 cm), 2 rounds
Materials
Choose a smooth, firm worsted cotton. Cotton keeps the basket upright and shows the chevron crisply. Acrylic also works, but the basket will be softer, so use a 3.75 mm hook with it.
Per basket:
- Color A, Cream: 45 g, about 77 m
- Color B, Teal: 12 g, about 20 m
For the set of three:
- Color A, Cream: 135 g, about 231 m
- Color B, Teal: 36 g, about 60 m
These amounts include a margin of about 15 percent for swatching and color-change tails.
Tools:
- 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
- 2 stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Spray bottle
- A small box or jar about 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm) for blocking
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- BLO – back loop only
- inc – 2 sc in the same st
- rev sc – reverse single crochet
- A / B – Color A (cream) / Color B (teal)
Special stitch – Reverse single crochet (rev sc): Work from left to right (if you are right-handed).
1. Insert the hook into the next st to the right.
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
3. Yarn over and pull through both loops.
This makes the twisted, cord-like rim.
Tapestry color change: On the last yarn over of the st before a color change, pull through with the new color. Lay the color you are not using along the top of the round and work over it, so it stays hidden inside the stitches.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rounds = 4 in (10.2 cm) in sc worked in the round.
Make one basket first. Measure at each checkpoint before you start the rest of the set.
- After Round 1: about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long
- After Round 6 (base): 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)
- After Round 9: wall about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall
- After Round 13 (chevron done): wall about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall
- After Round 17: wall about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall
If the base is longer than 6.25 in (15.9 cm), go down a hook size. If it is shorter than 5.75 in (14.6 cm), go up a hook size. Change the hook, not the stitch counts, so the chevron repeat still fits evenly.
Pattern
Join each round with a sl st to the first st. The ch 1 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch. Keep a marker in the first st of each round.
Oval Base (Color A)
With A, ch 15.
Round 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 12 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Rotate the work and crochet into the free loops on the other side of the chain: sc in next 12 ch. Join. (30 sts: 3 per end, 12 per long side)
Round 2: Ch 1, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 12, inc in each of next 3, sc in next 12. Join. (36 sts: 6 per end, 12 per side)
Round 3: Ch 1, (sc in next st, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12, (sc in next st, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12. Join. (42 sts: 9 per end, 12 per side)
Round 4: Ch 1, (sc in next 2 sts, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12, (sc in next 2 sts, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12. Join. (48 sts: 12 per end, 12 per side)
Round 5: Ch 1, (sc in next 3 sts, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12, (sc in next 3 sts, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12. Join. (54 sts: 15 per end, 12 per side)
Round 6: Ch 1, (sc in next 4 sts, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12, (sc in next 4 sts, inc) 3 times, sc in next 12. Join. (60 sts: 18 per end, 12 per side)
Checkpoint: the base lies flat and measures 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm). If the edge ruffles, your increases are too loose. If it cups, go up a hook size for the base only.
Wall (Color A)
Round 7 (turning round): Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
The unworked front loops form a neat ridge on the outside, and the work starts to rise.
Rounds 8–9: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Checkpoint: the wall is about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall, and the sides stand straight without flaring.
Chevron Band (Colors A and B)
Join B on the last st of Round 9 with a tapestry color change. In Rounds 10–13, carry the color you are not using inside every st.
The chevron is a 6-st repeat worked 10 times around (60 ÷ 6 = 10). Each long side holds 2 repeats and each end holds 3, so the zigzag lines up evenly on all sides.
Round 10: Ch 1, sc 2 with A, sc 2 with B, sc 2 with A; repeat from * 9 more times. Join. (60 sts: 20 B, 40 A)*
Round 11: Ch 1, sc 1 with A, sc 4 with B, sc 1 with A; repeat from * 9 more times. Join. (60 sts: 40 B, 20 A)*
Round 12: Ch 1, sc 2 with B, sc 2 with A, sc 2 with B; repeat from * 9 more times. Join. (60 sts: 40 B, 20 A)*
Round 13: Ch 1, sc 1 with B, sc 4 with A, sc 1 with B; repeat from * 9 more times. Join. (60 sts: 20 B, 40 A)*
Rounds 10–11 form the valleys and Rounds 12–13 form the peaks. Where two repeats meet, their end B stitches sit side by side and make a pointed peak. Cut B, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail to weave in later.
Checkpoint: the wall is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall, and you can count 10 teal peaks around the basket.
Upper Wall and Eyelets (Color A)
Round 14: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (60 sts)
Round 15 (eyelet round): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; repeat from * 28 more times. Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-4. (30 dc + 30 ch-1 sps = 60 sts)*
The 30 small gaps make the row of eyelets just below the rim.
Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 sp around. Join. (30 sc in dc + 30 sc in sps = 60 sts)
Checkpoint: the wall now measures about 2.25 in (5.7 cm) tall. This is the size before the rim.
Border: Reverse Single Crochet Rim
Border gauge: 4 sts per 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as the body gauge.
Round 16 is the base round of the rim. Its 60 sts break down as 12 sts on each long side and 18 sts around each curved end (12 + 18 + 12 + 18 = 60). This matches the base from Round 6 exactly.
Round 17: Ch 1, do not turn. Working from left to right, rev sc in each st around: 12 rev sc along each long side and 18 rev sc around each curved end. Join with a sl st to the first rev sc. (60 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Why the math works: The base edge is 60 sts long. At 4 sts per inch, that is 15 in (38.1 cm) around. The wall never increases or decreases, so every round from 7 to 17 has the same 60 sts. This keeps the walls straight, and the rim lines up with the 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm) base. Reverse sc worked one per stitch adds no width. It only rolls the edge into a firm cord about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) deep.
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends on the inside. Run each tail through the backs of stitches of the same color for at least 1 in (2.5 cm).
- Mist the basket lightly with water until it is damp, not soaked.
- Slide it over a box or jar about 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm), or stuff it firmly with a folded towel.
- Press the base flat on a table and straighten the chevron so the peaks line up vertically.
- Pinch the reverse sc rim gently to round it.
- Let it dry completely, at least 12 hours, before you remove the form.
- Measure: 6 in (15.2 cm) long, 3 in (7.6 cm) wide, 2.5 in (6.4 cm) tall.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The base is flat with 60 sts and measures 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm).
- The back-loop ridge runs evenly around the bottom edge.
- The walls stand straight, with 60 sts in every round.
- There are 10 teal peaks and 10 valleys, evenly spaced: 2 on each long side and 3 around each end.
- The carried teal strand does not show through the cream sections.
- Round 15 has 30 open eyelets, evenly spaced.
- The rim is a smooth, even cord with no gaps.
- The height is about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) all around.
- All ends are woven in securely on the inside.
- For a set, all three baskets match within 0.25 in (0.6 cm).
Troubleshooting
The base cups up into a bowl. Your tension is tight at the ends. Go up a hook size for the base, or work the increases more loosely.
The base ruffles. The increases are too loose or miscounted. Recount each end; it should have 18 sts after Round 6.
The walls flare outward. Go down half a hook size for Rounds 7–17, or keep your tension firmer on the turning round.
The chevron leans or drifts. You have an extra or missing stitch. Each round must have exactly 60 sts, which is 10 repeats of 6.
Teal shows through the cream. Hold the carried strand snug against the top of the round and keep your stitches firm.
There is a visible jog at the join. Make the color change on the last yarn over of the final st before the join, and keep the join stitch tight.
The rim looks twisted or loose. Keep each rev sc short and even, and do not pull up tall loops.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Press out the water in a towel, reshape the basket over a form, and let it dry. Do not tumble dry.
Final Notes
The measurements build on each other:
– Base: 60 sts, 6 in x 3 in (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm) at 16 sc per 4 in (10.2 cm).
– Walls: 60 sts in every round, rising straight through a 10-repeat chevron to 2.25 in (5.7 cm).
– Rim: 60 reverse sc, bringing the finished height to 2.5 in (6.4 cm).
Check the base, the chevron and the rim on your first basket, and the rest of the set will match.
Happy crocheting!