Chunky Crocheted Basket Pattern

I'm finally posting the pattern for the crocheted basket. Thank you so much for all of the comments and emails. I hope you like the pattern and the finished project as much as I do. (Scroll down to see the pattern for the larger basket)

Materials

3 Skeins super bulky yarn (I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in Linen)
Size L (8.0mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

Just a little note about the materials:
I would recommend using super bulky to create a stiff or sturdy texture. If you use a smaller weight yarn you will have to hold 3 or more strands together.
Do not use a larger hook. The stitches need to be tight so the basket will be stiff and stand up. Crochet pretty tightly (but try not to make your hands too sore) My next basket will be made with hemp doubled (the thick kind you can find at Walmart). That stuff is a real hand killer. But it's the sturdiest stuff you can use.

Measurements

smaller basket
8.5 inches in diameter
5.5 inches in height

larger basket
10 inches in diameter
10 inches in height


Pattern

Note: You will hold two strands of yarn together.
Do not turn when you finish each round. I joined each round. You can work in a continuous spiral if you prefer to get rid of the seam. (If you choose to make the seamless version I would recommend working the bottom with a seam and then work the body in a continuous round or spiral, marking your first st as you go)

Holding 2 strands together

Smaller basket

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook

Rnd 2: 2 hdc in each st. Join with sl st. (16 hdc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next st, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) around. Join with sl st. (24 hdc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 2 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) around. Join with sl st. (32 hdc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 3 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) around. Join with sl st. (40 hdc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 4 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) around. Join with sl st. (48 hdc)

The next round will be the first row of the body of the basket. You will be working into the back of each hdc.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc under the line or ridge on the back of the first st of previous round. (Half double crochet stitches have a line or ridge on the back of the stitch). You will be working under this line or ridge, not into the regular loops.

This will leave the two loops of the stitch

creating a seam separating the bottom and body of the basket

Continue working sc around. Join with a sl st.

Rnd 8: Ch 2, hdc into next st and in each st around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, Working in the back loop only, sc in the same st and in each st around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 10: Ch 2, hdc in next st and in each st around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 11: Ch 1. Sc in same st and in each st around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 12: Ch 2, hdc in next st and in each st around. Join with sl st.

Rnd 13: Ch 1, working in back loops only, sc in same st, and in each st around. Join with sl st.

You will create the handles in rnd 14

Rnd 14: Ch 2, hdc in next 8 sts. Ch 7, skip the next 5 sts. Hdc in the next 19 sts. Ch 7, skip the next 5 sts. Hdc in the next 10 sts. Join with sl st

Rnd 15: Ch 1, sc in same st and in the next 8 sts. Work 8 sc under the ch 7 space. (Do not work into the sts). Sc in next 19 sts. Work 8 sc under the ch 7 space. Sc in next 10 sts.

Finish off with the no knot finishing method. You can find a photo tutorial on this finishing method here

I have made a larger basket...I prefer the larger size (I'm in the process of adding the photos for the larger basket)

You will increase the bottom by one round.

Rnds 1-6: Refer to the instructions above

Rnd 7: Ch 2, hdc in same st. Hdc in next 5 sts. (2 hdc in next st, 5 hdc in next st) around, join with sl st. (56 hdc)

Rnd 8: Working under the line or ridge on the back of the hdc, sc in each st around. This round creates the seam (described above)

I added 3 rows to the body of the basket for the larger size. (if you need more detailed instructions for beginning and joining each round refer to the details of each round for the smaller basket)

Rnd 9: Hdc round

Rnd 10: Sc round

Rnd 11: Sc round in the back loop only

Rnd 12: Hdc round

Rnd 13: Sc round

Rnd 14: Hdc round

Rnd 15: Sc round

Rnd 16: Sc in the back loop only

Rnd 17: Ch 2, hdc in the next 9 sts, Ch 9, skip 8 sts, hdc in next 20 sts, Ch 9, skip next 8 sts, hdc in next 9 sts. Join with sl st.

Rnd 18: Sc round, working 10 sc under the ch 9 spaces (not into each st). Join and finish off.

Please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email if you have any questions about the pattern.

Enjoy!

Edit: I have made a correction to rounds 17 and 18 of the large basket. So sorry about that. I hope it works out better now.