Storage containers come in all shapes and sizes and that is certainly the case with this toadstool basket. Whether it’s used for toys or magazines, for kindling next to the fire or even extra yarn, it will certainly brighten up a little corner somewhere. Made in chunky yarn and worked in double crochet with a large hook, it works up quickly and easily. The spots on top of the toadstool are made separately and sewn on to the finished piece.
SKILL LEVEL *
YARN AND MATERIALS
Hoooked Spesso Chunky Cotton (100% recycled cotton) chunky (bulky) weight yarn, 127m (139yd) per 500g (175⁄8oz) ball
2 balls in Biscuit S300 (A)
1 ball in Berry S1050 (B)
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere) aran (worsted) weight yarn, 90m (98yd) per 50g (13⁄4oz) ball
1 ball in White 25 (C) Sewing thread
Approx. 100 x 50cm (40 x 20in) of thin card (cardstock)
HOOKS AND EQUIPMENT
7mm (US size K/101⁄2–L/11) and 4mm
(US size G/6) crochet hooks
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Safety pins
Sewing needle
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: 33cm (13in)
Stalk diameter: 25cm (10in)
Toadstool diameter: 43cm (17in)
TENSION (GAUGE)
8 sts x 9 rows = 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) working double crochet, using
a 7mm (US size K/101⁄2–L/11)
hook and Hoooked Spesso
Chunky Cotton.
For the basket/stalk
FOR THE BASE
Work in a continuous spiral, PM at end of each round and move up as each round is finished.
Using a 7mm (US size K/101⁄2–L/11) hook and A, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 8dc into ring. (8 sts)
Round 2: [2dc in each st] 8 times. (16 sts)
Round 3: [1dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (24 sts)
Round 4: [2dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (32 sts)
Round 5: [3dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (40 sts)
Round 6: [4dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (48 sts)
Round 7: [5dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (56 sts)
Round 8: [6dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times, st to join. (64 sts)
SIDES
Worked in closed rounds, PM at end of and move up as each round is finished.
Round 9: Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), 64dcBLO, sl st in beg st to join. (64 sts)
Rounds 10 to 33: Ch1, 64dc, sl st in beg st to join.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
For the toadstool top
Work in a continuous spiral, PM at end of round and move up as each round is finished.
Using a 7mm (US size K/101⁄2–L/11) hook and B, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6dc into ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: [2dc in each st] 6 times. (12 sts)
Round 3: [1dc, 2dc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 4: [2dc, 2dc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 5: [2dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (32 sts)
Round 6: [3dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (40 sts)
Round 7: 40dc.
Round 8: [3dc, 2dc in next st] 10 times. (50 sts)
Round 9: 50dc.
Round 10: [4dc, 2dc in next st] 10 times. (60 sts)
Round 11: 60dc.
Round 12: [5dc, 2dc in next st] 10 times. (70 sts)
Round 13: 70dc.
Round 14: [6dc, 2dc in next st] 10 times. (80 sts)
Round 15: 80dc.
Round 16: [7dc, 2dc in next st] 10 times. (90 sts)
Round 17: 90dc.
Round 18: [8dc, 2dc in next st] 10 times. (100 sts)
Round 19: 100dc, sl st in beg st to join.
Round 20: Ch1, sl stBLO loosely around edge of toadstool top, sl st in beg st to join.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
FOR THE SMALL SPOTS
(make 5)
Work in a continuous spiral, PM at end of each round and move up as each round is finished.
Using a 4mm (US size G/6) hook and C, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6dc into ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: [2dc in each st] 6 times. (12 sts)
Round 3: [1dc, 2dc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 4: Ch1, sl stBLO loosely around edge, sl st in beg st to join.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
FOR THE MEDIUM SPOTS
(make 6)
Work in a continuous spiral, PM at end of each round and move up as each round is finished.
Using a 4mm (US size G/6) hook and C, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6dc into ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: [2dc in each st] 6 times. (12 sts)
Round 3: [1dc, 2dc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 4: [2dc, 2dc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 5: Ch1, sl stBLO loosely around edge, sl st in beg st to join.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
FOR THE LARGE SPOTS
(make 5)
Work in a continuous spiral, PM at end of each round and move up as each round is finished.
Using a 4mm (US size G/6) hook and C, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 8dc into ring. (8 sts)
Round 2: [2dc in each st] 8 times. (16 sts)
Round 3: [1dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (24 sts)
Round 4: [2dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (32 sts)
Round 5: [3dc, 2dc in next st] 8 times. (40 sts)
Round 6: Ch1, sl stBLO loosely around edge, sl st in beg st to join.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Making up and finishing
Draw around the base of the basket on to the card and cut out to make a base to go inside the basket. Use lengths of cardboard to line the sides of the basket/stalk. To hold the cardboard in place, work a round of running stitch using a large yarn needle and yarn A, approx. four rounds down from the top. Position the spots on top of the toadstool and secure in place with safety pins. Use a sewing needle and thread to stitch them on securely.
This project is from Crochet with Flowers and Plants by Kate Eastwood. To get more free projects like this one - direct to your inbox - sign up to our mailing list here.