Knitted Butterscotch Basket

The Knitted Butterscotch Basket is a charming addition to any home décor or gift-giving occasion. With its warm butterscotch color and intricate knitted design, this handmade piece adds a touch of coziness and style to any room. It's perfect for storing small items like keys, remotes, or even a small plant. Not only is this basket practical, but it also brings a sense of handmade charm and uniqueness to your space. Whether you place it on a shelf, coffee table, or use it as a planter cover, the Knitted Butterscotch Basket is sure to be a delightful and versatile accent piece that will make you smile every time you see it.

Skill level: Intermediate

Size: Approx. 5” diameter x 4” high x 17” circumference (stretched)

Materials:

• Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc. Art. 980 8 ply Peaches & CrèmeTM
• 100% cotton
• double worsted wt. (2.5 oz., 62 yds./ball):
• 2 balls color #91, Butterscotch
• Size 10 (6 mm) circular knitting needle (16” length)
• Set of 4 (or 5) size 10 (6 mm) double-pointed needles (dpn)
• Size J/10 (6.00 mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Optional: Strip of 7-mesh plastic canvas: 3 holes wide by 13” long
• Small plastic bowl approx. 5” diameter (i.e., empty cottage cheese container or clear plastic food storage bowl)

Gauge: 13 sts & 18 rows = 4” in stockinette st on size 10 (6 mm) needles

Terms/Abbreviations: back loop only (BLO), beginning (beg), bind off (BO), cast on (CO), decrease (dec), double crochet (dc), hook (hk), increase (inc), knit (k), knit two together (k2tog), marker (m), needle (ndl), pattern (patt), purl (p), remaining (rem), repeat (rep), single crochet (sc), skip (sk), slip (sl), stitch (st)

Pattern notes:

Basket body is worked in circular knitting from top rib down. Decreases are worked to form bottom of basket.

A crocheted shell trim border is applied to top of basket, then handle is attached.

Basket

CO 40 sts. Join for circular knitting, being careful that sts are not twisted on ndl.

Place marker to note beg of rounds.

Top rib:

Rnds 1-5: *K1, p1, rep from * around.

Begin basketweave patt:

Rnds 6-9: *K4, p4, rep from * around.

Rnds 10-13: *P4, k4, rep from * around.

Rnds 14-17: *K4, p4, rep from * around.

Rnd 18: P.

Begin decreases for basket bottom (Note: change to double-pointed needles (dpns) when stitches no longer fit comfortably on circular needle):

Rnd 19 (dec rnd): *K8, k2tog, rep from * around (36)

Rnd 20: K.

Rnd 21 (dec rnd): *K4, k2tog, rep from * around (30)

Rnd 22: K.

Rnd 23 (dec rnd): *K3, k2tog, rep from * around (24)

Rnd 24: K.

Rnd 25 (dec rnd): *K2, k2tog, rep from * around (18)

Rnd 26: K.

Rnd 27 (dec rnd): *K1, k2tog, rep from * around (12)

Rnd 28 (dec rnd): *K2tog, rep from * around (6)

Cut yarn, leaving 10” tail. Gather rem sts tog and cinch to close. Weave in tails.

Shell border:

Turn basket upright so ribbed edge is at top and outside is facing you.

Rnd 1: With crochet hook, attach yarn in any st along cast-on edge of basket. Ch 1, sc in ea of the 40 sts on rib (i.e., work one sc in ea k st and one sc in ea p st).

Join with sl st, turn (40 sc)

Rnd 2: Working this rnd in back loop only (BLO), ch 1, sc in same sc, sk next sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk next sc, *sc in next sc, sk next sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk next sc, rep from * around, join with sl st to beg sc. Fasten off and weave in tails.

Handle:

Option 1 (reinforced with plastic canvas): Leaving a 12” tail for sewing, place slip lp on crochet hook. Holding strip of plastic canvas and starting about 1” from end, sc evenly along strip, bringing yarn completely around plastic canvas and encasing it with ea st. Sc evenly along strip ending about 1” from other end, and pulling top of sts to center so it forms a ridge down middle of strip. Cut yarn, leaving 12” tail for sewing, and fasten off.

Place one end of handle at inside top of one side of basket between two shells.

Stitch through holes of plastic canvas and through side of basket in an X-shape, then in a square around edges of canvas. Trim excess canvas and weave in tails.

Place other end of handle on opposite side of basket and repeat stitch-down instructions.

Option 2 (unreinforced): Ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hk, sc in ea ch to last ch, 3 sc in last ch; working on opposite side of ch, sc in ea ch to end, 3 sc in last ch, join with sl st to beg sc. Cut yarn, leaving 12” tail for sewing.

Stitch ends of handle in place inside upper edge on opposite sides of basket.

Finishing:

Insert plastic container into basket and pull up sides so basket is stretched evenly around container, with shell border extended outward. Fill with candy or other food or gift objects as desired (e.g., plant, flowers, teabags, baby items, etc.)