This rectangular crochet basket pattern is great for organization and storage! When worked up in T-shirt yarn they are super sturdy and durable. But perhaps my favorite part is how easy they are for little hands to tote around their treasures … my son loves using them to store and carry his Legos!
I have included two sizes of the basket pattern below so you can make the size that works for you or make both and have them nest neatly together when not in use.
I personally found that a US N-P / 10 mm crochet hook was a good size to work with for the T-shirt line and achieving the stitch tension that I like. However, if you find your basket is becoming too floppy, I would suggest going down a hook size to achieve a tighter and more stiff fabric.
Rectangular Crochet Basket Pattern
Here’s what you will need:
- 2 colors T-shirt yarn, approx. 160 yd each (I used 2 skeins of Fab-U-Loop yarn)
- US N-P / 10 mm crochet hook
- scissors
This free pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms and abbreviations. Stitch counts are provided at the end of each round to help you keep on track.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry library.
Large Rectangular Crochet Basket Pattern
Finished basket measures approximately 11 in. long × 8 in. wide × 4¾ in. tall.
Bottom
With CA, ch 11.
Row 1: Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn — 10 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st here and througout), work 1 sc in each st across, turn — 10 sts.
Rows 3 through 19: Repeat Row 2, do not fasten off.
Upper
Round 1: Continuing with CA, ch 1, work 1 sc in each st across, work 1 sc on the edge of each row along the side, work 1 sc in each st across, work 1 sc on the edge of each row along remaining side, join and fasten off CA — 58 sts.
Round 2: Join CB in same st as join, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 58 sts.
Round 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 58 sts.
Rounds 4 through 6: Repeat Round 3.
Round 7: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in each of the next 2 sts, ch 6, skip next 4 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 25 sts, ch 6, skip next 4 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 22 sts, join and fasten off CB — 50 sts and 2 ch-6 loops.
Round 8: Join CA in same st as join, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in each of the next 2 sts, work 8 sc around ch-6 loop, 1 sc in each of the next 25 sts, work 8 sc around ch-6 loop, 1 sc in each of the next 22 sts, join and fasten off — 66 sts.
Weave in ends.
Small Rectangular Crochet Basket Pattern
Finished basket measures approximately 10 in. long × 7 in. wide × 4 in. tall.
Bottom
With CB, ch 9.
Row 1: Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn — 8 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st here and througout), work 1 sc in each st across, turn — 8 sts.
Rows 3 through 17: Repeat Row 2, do not fasten off.
Upper
Round 1: Continuing with CB, ch 1, work 1 sc in each st across, work 1 sc on the edge of each row along the side, work 1 sc in each st across, work 1 sc on the edge of each row along remaining side, join and fasten off CB — 50 sts.
Round 2: Join CA in same st as join, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 50 sts.
Round 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 50 sts.
Rounds 4 through 5: Repeat Round 3.
Round 6: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in next st, ch 5, skip next 4 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 21 sts, ch 5, skip next 4 sts, 1 sc in each of the next 19 sts, join and fasten off CA — 42 sts and 2 ch-5 loops.
Round 7: Join CB in same st as join, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and in next st, work 7 sc around ch-5 loop, 1 sc in each of the next 21 sts, work 7 sc around ch-5 loop, 1 sc in each of the next 19 sts, join and fasten off — 56 sts.
Weave in ends.
I’m wondering what it would loook like and how it would stand up using Bernat Velvet Yarn…
I finished the bottom but do not understand how to stitch into the side stitches of the long side of the bottom. To me it’s not clear where the stitches should go. Help!
I am crocheting the smaller basket, however, it does look like a rectangle, looks more like a canoe, am I doing something wrong?
What does CA & CB mean?
Color A and Color B 😊
That took me a minute to figure out too. I’ve always seen it as MC (main color) and CC (contrast color); never as CA and CB.
Really like these, but I have terrible time with the fabric yarn. It just never stands up – always squishy, and never holds its shape. Any suggestions?
How do you get the sides to turn up
Hi,
I love the rectangular baskets and have started making the larger one. I’ve only been crocheting a few months but can do the basics. I thought I was doing ok with the basket but have completed row six of the upper part and mine is really wonky! The sides are kind of flopping outwards and curled down and not nice and straight like yours. The stitches seem snug and I used Premier t shirt yarn. Any ideas what I’m doing wrong? I’m determined to get it right! Thanks so much!
Hi Susan 🙂 Perhaps using a smaller hook size will keep the fabric more rigid.
I don’t know where I can find t-shirt yarn in Australia, would it be possible to use something else?.
You can actually make you own! 🙂 i know that there’s tutorials on youtube
It’s incredibly easy (& cost efficient!!) I go to thrift store and buy king sized, Jersey sheets for 2 or 3 dollars, wash em, then just follow the instructions on ‘how to cut fabric into one continuous piece’-which are fairly easy, especially once you’ve done it once! I wound up with what i would GUESS (total guess based on prices ive seen for store bought tshirt yarn) atleast $80 worth of tshirt yarn that looks as good, …if not better then store bought!!
Love this idea. Never thought of it.
I saw a tutorial once for using cut strips of plastic grocery bags, woven together at the end of each strip to make it continuous. I’ve got all these plastic garbage bags saved and left over from before covid-19 happened. I think these might be a little sturdier than yarn if I double or triple up the strands (in the form of a braid, maybe?) and therefore might work quite well for this. I might have to spray paint it or something, though. They are probably not the prettiest colors after being worked up.