Easy Crochet Basket for Beginners – Simple Round Storage Basket

If you want a useful project that lets you practice basic stitches, this easy crochet basket for beginners is a practical place to start. The construction is simple: crochet a flat circle for the base, stop increasing when the base is wide enough, then work even rounds to build the sides.

This tutorial uses single crochet and standard increases. Because yarn thickness, hook size, and tension can change the finished measurements, treat the stitch counts below as a clear starting point and adjust the size as you go.

Easy Crochet Basket for Beginners: What You Need

• Super bulky yarn or sturdy fabric-style yarn
• An 8 mm crochet hook, or a hook that suits your yarn
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker

A firm yarn helps the basket hold its shape. If your fabric feels floppy, try a slightly smaller hook or hold two strands of a lighter yarn together. For more help choosing a hook, see our crochet hook sizes guide.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• inc – work 2 single crochets in the same stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• BLO – back loop only

This tutorial uses US crochet terms. You can also check the Craft Yarn Council crochet abbreviations for a broader reference.

Step 1: Crochet the Base

Make a magic ring, or chain 2 and work into the second chain from the hook if you prefer.

1. Round 1: Work 6 sc into the ring. Place a marker in the first stitch.
2. Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. You should have 12 stitches.
3. Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. You should have 18 stitches.
4. Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around. You should have 24 stitches.
5. Round 5: *3 sc, inc* around. You should have 30 stitches.

Continue the same increase rhythm if you want a wider basket: each new round adds one more single crochet between increases. Keep the base flat. If it starts to cup, you may need more increases; if it ripples, you may need fewer.

Step 2: Turn the Corner for the Sides

Once the base is the diameter you want, work one round of single crochet in the back loop only without increasing. This creates a visible turning line and encourages the fabric to bend upward.

From this point onward, work one single crochet in every stitch around. Keep your marker in place so you can see where each round begins.

Step 3: Build the Basket Walls

Continue working even rounds until the basket reaches the height you like. A short basket works well for small craft supplies, while more rounds create a deeper container.

For straighter walls, try to keep your tension consistent. If you are still learning single crochet, our complete beginner crochet guide explains the basic motion step by step.

Step 4: Finish the Top Edge

When the basket is tall enough, finish the final round neatly. Slip stitch to the next stitch if needed, cut the yarn, and pull the tail through. Weave the tail securely into the inside of the basket with a yarn needle.

For a cleaner top edge, you can add one final round of slip stitches or single crochet. Keep that last round relaxed so the opening does not tighten.

How to Adjust the Basket Size

The easiest way to resize this project is to change the number of increase rounds in the base. Stop increasing when the flat circle reaches your preferred diameter, then work the side rounds without increases. This makes the tutorial flexible without requiring a fixed gauge.

If you want another useful beginner project that follows simple repeated stitches, try our easy crochet dishcloth pattern or browse these easy crochet ideas for beginners.

Common Problems and Simple Fixes

The base is curling

Check that you are making the planned increases and that your hook is not too small for the yarn.

The base is wavy

Waves usually mean the fabric has more increases than it needs for your tension. Try spacing the increases farther apart.

The sides are too soft

Use a firmer yarn, a smaller hook, or two strands held together. A denser fabric usually stands more easily.

Final Thoughts

This easy crochet basket for beginners is a simple way to practice working in the round while making something useful. Once you understand how the flat base turns into straight sides, you can adapt the same construction to different diameters, heights, yarns, and colors.

Photo by Ana Laura Palharini on Unsplash.