Crochet a set of three sturdy nesting baskets with this free fabric yarn basket pattern! Made with recycled fabric or T-shirt yarn, these round storage baskets are perfect for organizing craft supplies, office essentials, bathroom accessories, and more. They’re perfect for organizing craft supplies, office essentials, bathroom accessories, and all those little things that need a place of their own.
I love these little fabric nesting baskets! They have such a cozy, handmade charm, and the thick fabric yarn gives them structure while making them durable enough for everyday storage. Best of all, the three baskets fit neatly inside one another when not in use.
This is also a wonderful project for giving old fabric a new purpose. You can make your own yarn from worn sheets or leftover fabric using my How to Make Fabric Yarn From Old Sheets and Other Fabric tutorial. Or, if you prefer, use ready-made T-shirt yarn instead.
How to Crochet Fabric Nesting Baskets
These crochet nesting baskets are worked from the bottom up using single crochet stitches. Each basket begins with a circular base, followed by rounds that form the sides.
The pattern includes three sizes, so you can make a complete nesting set or crochet individual baskets for different storage needs.
Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Easy
- Finished Sizes:
- Small: Approximately 6 in. diameter × 2½ in. tall (15 × 6.5 cm)
- Medium: Approximately 7 in. diameter × 3 in. tall (18 × 7.5 cm)
- Large: Approximately 8 in. diameter × 3½ in. tall (20.5 × 9 cm)
- Yarn: Fabric yarn or T-shirt yarn
- Construction: Circular base with crocheted sides
- Techniques: Single crochet, increases, and working in rounds
- Uses: Home organization, craft storage, and decorative baskets
Materials
- Approximately 200 yd (183 m) of fabric yarn or T-shirt yarn
- US M-13 / 9 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker (recommended)
Add this pattern to your Ravelry library.
Crochet Abbreviations
This pattern uses standard U.S. crochet terminology.
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
For additional help, see my Crochet Abbreviations and U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart.
Pattern Notes
- The baskets are worked from the bottom up.
- Work the initial rounds in a continuous spiral, then join and turn where indicated. Follow the individual basket instructions for the transition from the base to the sides.
- Follow the joining and turning instructions as written when transitioning from the base to the sides.
- Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round.
- Fabric yarn thickness can vary, so your finished basket measurements may differ slightly.
- A firm crochet fabric helps the baskets maintain their shape. If your baskets seem too flexible, consider trying a smaller hook.
Pattern Instructions
Small Crochet Basket
Finished size: Approximately 6 in. diameter × 2½ in. tall (15 × 6.5 cm).
Ch 2.
Foundation Round: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join — 6 sts.
Round 1: Work 2 sc in each st around, do not join — 12 sts.
Round 2: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st; rep from * around, do not join — 18 sts.
Round 3: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts; rep from * around, do not join — 24 sts.
Round 4: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts; rep from * around, join and turn — 30 sts.
Round 5: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in each st around, join — 30 sts.
Rounds 6 through 9: Repeat Round 5.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Medium Crochet Basket
Finished size: Approximately 7 in. diameter × 3 in. tall (18 × 7.5 cm).
Ch 2.
Foundation Round: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join — 6 sts.
Round 1: Work 2 sc in each st around, do not join — 12 sts.
Round 2: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st; rep from * around, do not join — 18 sts.
Round 3: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts; rep from * around, do not join — 24 sts.
Round 4: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts; rep from * around, join and turn — 30 sts.
Round 5: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts; rep from * around, join and turn — 36 sts.
Round 6: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in each st around, join — 36 sts.
Rounds 7 through 11: Repeat Round 6.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Large Crochet Basket
Finished size: Approximately 8 in. diameter × 3½ in. tall (20.5 × 9 cm).
Ch 2.
Foundation Round: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join — 6 sts.
Round 1: Work 2 sc in each st around, do not join — 12 sts.
Round 2: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st; rep from * around, do not join — 18 sts.
Round 3: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts; rep from * around, do not join — 24 sts.
Round 4: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 3 sts; rep from * around, join and turn — 30 sts.
Round 5: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts; rep from * around, join and turn — 36 sts.
Round 6: *Work 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of the next 5 sts; rep from * around, join and turn — 42 sts.
Round 7: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in each st around, join — 42 sts.
Rounds 8 through 13: Repeat Round 7.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Tips for Making Sturdy Crochet Storage Baskets
Choose a thick yarn. Fabric yarn and T-shirt yarn are excellent choices for baskets because they create a substantial crochet fabric.
Keep your stitches firm. A tighter stitch tension helps the basket sides hold their shape.
Use coordinating fabrics. Make each basket in a different color or use matching fabric for a coordinated set.
Customize your storage. These baskets are handy for storing yarn scraps, crochet hooks, small toys, toiletries, or office supplies.
More Crochet Basket and Organization Patterns
If you love organizing with handmade crochet projects, here are a few more free patterns to try:
- Rectangular Crochet Basket Pattern – 2 Nesting Sizes – Make two rectangular storage baskets with built-in handles, perfect for toys, craft supplies, and everyday organization.
- Chunky Nesting Baskets Crochet Pattern – Crochet three nesting baskets using two strands of worsted-weight yarn held together.
- Chunky Crochet Basket Pattern – A larger storage basket that’s great for keeping books, toys, and other household items organized.
More Fabric Yarn and Upcycled Crochet Projects
Love finding creative ways to reuse fabric? These projects are perfect for putting fabric yarn, old T-shirts, and other recycled materials to good use.
- How to Make Fabric Yarn From Old Sheets and Other Fabric – Learn how to turn old fabric into a continuous strip of yarn for crochet projects.
- Fabric Crochet Coaster Pattern – A quick project for using up leftover fabric or T-shirt yarn.
- Hamptons Tote – T-Shirt Yarn Crochet Bag Pattern – Turn chunky T-shirt yarn into a stylish, practical tote.
- Shabby Chic Fabric Easter Egg Pattern – A decorative seasonal project made with recycled fabric yarn.
Do you know the approx length of strips needed for each of the sizes individually? I’d like to use some of my smaller stash pieces that won’t give me the 200 yds you specify, which I assume is the length needed to make one each of all 3 sizes.
Kara, I just made the small one using Bernat Baby Blanket and an N hook. Came out SO cute. Going use for a gift with some sample size goodies, powder lotion, etc. Thanks for the pattern its super easy.
Love this pattern! I recently discovered several basket patterns that I want to do. Crocheting with fabric is new to me but as a quilter It looks like so much fun!
Hi!
I was curious how you would make this larger, to put a newborn in.
I know this tutorial and the comments have been out there a while, but I am hoping someone will see my question. I am very new to crocheting….have only crocheted a couple of rectangular rag rugs.
At the end of nearly every step it says “do not join” or it says “join and turn”….what does that mean?
Where it says “do not join” you are crocheting in a continuous circle, you will crochet in the next stitch. It’s a good idea to mark the beginning of the row so you know where you started.
“Join and turn” means when you reach the beginning of the row you will join the last stich to the first stitch with a slip stitch, chain one, and turn the project so you are starting back the way you just came.
Good luck on your project.
Sikke en super ide. En meget personlig gave til f.eks dåb/navngivning eller fødselsdag så kan man slippe for alt det pingel pangel folk giver, som man aldrig får brug for læs små sølvdåser og dyr:-)Synes det er sjovt med stjernetegn:-)nogle gange passer det, andre gange ikke.
I know you used an old sheet for the material used but, how wide did you make the strips of fabric and did you tie them at the ends or just worked the ends in? I also plan to tea-dye the fabric first. (using an old white sheet). I plan to make handles on the baskets and use the basket for my crocheting.y
I cut the strips about an inch wide and made a continuous ball of yarn with it. You can see the link in the pattern for a tutorial on how I did it 🙂
These are similar to what we called rag rugs, same principle you folded a strip of material in thirds so that the exposed edge was on the inside and them you sewed three strips together and started to braid. It was a great use of old material/clothes/sheets/curtains etc and the cost, free can’t get much better than that.
So pretty and such a great idea. I noticed that you allow pinning so I pinned from this page.
You can never have enough cute baskets around! So awesome that you made them recycled linens, that’s my favorite part, of course!
Thanks so much for linking up at my greener linky party! I’ll probably be linking to your fabric yarn tutorial later this week for my reusing linens and clothes post 🙂 Have a great weeekend.