When I recently tried the basketweave stitch that I discovered from the Basic Crochet Stitches book by Erika Knight, I instantly fell in love with it. It was like looking back in time when I made my first trash bin basket project in grade school using fine bamboo splints. This time though I made a pouch using combed cotton yarn. The pouch pattern is super simple. You can easily customize it in any size that you want by making a base wherein the total number of stitches on the final row is in multiples of 8. The pouch has zipped closure and large enough to carry refillable lotion bottles and other necessities. It is quite handy for more than just cosmetics which makes it an ideal gift for moms this coming Mother’s Day, too! And because I always prefer a lined pouch and bag, I also shared quick steps on how to sew and attach the lining to the crocheted pouch.
Before scrolling down to the pattern, let me remind you that this particular basketweave crochet project calls for front post double crochet (fpdc) and back post double crochet (bpdc). You can refer to the steps and illustrations below on how to make these stitches.
Front Post Double Crochet: Yarn over then insert hook from front under dc post of previous row. Yarn over then pull yarn under the dc post. Complete the dc stitch as usual. (Figure 1-5 below)
Back Post Double Crochet: Yarn over then insert hook from back under dc post of previous row. Yarn over then pull yarn under the dc post. Complete the dc stitch as usual. (Figure 1-5 below)
Basically, the basketweave stitch is created by using a combination of front post stitches and back post stitches. You will be using sets of these stitches alternately (usually done in sets of 4) to achieve a popping in and out texture that resembles a basketweave design. If you still want to see how this beautiful textured stitch is done, here’s one helpful video tutorial I found online that you can watch: How To Crochet For Beginners | Basketweave Stitch
Are you ready for the pattern? Here we go…
MATERIALS:
• Hook 1: 4.0mm crochet hook (US G-6 / UK 8)
• Hook 2: 3.5mm crochet hook (US E-4 / UK 9)
• Yarn: I used approximately 170 meters of Dapper Dreamer Combed Cotton yarn in gingerbread color but you can use any worsted or light weight yarn of your choice.
• Spun Polyester Thread (I used Dandy Premium sewing thread with the same color as the yarn)
• Yarn & sewing needles
• Stitch marker (optional)
• 8″ long zipper or shorter
• Cotton or oilcloth for lining
ABBREVIATION/STITCHES:
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet (US) / tr – treble (UK)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• fpdc – front post double crochet
• bpdc – back post double crochet
• [sc, inc] n times – repeat the pattern between parentheses n times.
• (N sts) – number of stitches in a round after finishing round.
If you need guide with the stitches, you can always check my post about Basic Crochet Techniques HERE.
NOTES:
– Finished pouch measures 17×11 inches in diameter. Any variations to hook size and yarn weight will result in a different sized pouch.
– If you want your pouch to be wider, add a few more base chains and make sure the total number of double crochet stitches at the base is in multiples of 8. If you want it to be taller or longer, just add more rows.
– Chain 2 at the beginning of every row does not count as a stitch.
PATTERN
Using the 4.0mm crochet hook:
Row 1: ch 30, dc in 3rd chain from hook, dc in next 26 chains, 4 dc in last st. Working on the other side of foundation chain, dc in the next 26 chains, 3 dc in last chain, sl st on top of the first dc to join (60 dc sts)
Row 2: ch 2, 2 dc in the same space as beginning chains, dc in the next 26 sts, 2 dc in each of the next 4 sts, dc in the next 26 sts, 2 dc in each of the last 3 sts, sl st on top of the first dc to join (68 dc sts)
Row 3: ch 2, 2 dc in the same space as beginning chains, 2 dc in the next sts, dc in the next 28 sts, 2 dc in each of the next 6 sts, dc in the next 28 sts, 2 dc in each of the last 4 sts, sl st on top of the first dc to join (80 dc sts)
Row 4: ch 2, skipping the ch2 below fpdc in each of the 80 sts around, sl st on top of the first dc to join (80 dc sts)
Row 5: ch 2, skipping the ch2 below, [fpdc in next 4 sts, bpdc in next 4 sts] 10 times, sl st on top of the first dc to join (10 sets of fpdc, 10 sets of bpdc)
Row 6: ch 2, skipping the ch2 below, [fpdc in each of the 4 front post dc of previous row, bpdc in each of the 4 back post dc of previous row] 10 times, sl st on top of the first dc to join (10 sets of fpdc, 10 sets of bpdc)
Row 7: ch 2, skipping the ch2 below, [bpdc in each of the 4 front post dc of previous row, fpdc in each of the 4 back post dc of previous row] 10 times, sl st on top of the first dc to join (10 sets of fpdc, 10 sets of bpdc)
Row 8: ch 2, skipping the ch2 below, [bpdc in each of the 4 back post dc of previous row, fpdc in each of the 4 front post dc of previous row] 10 times, sl st on top of the first dc to join (10 sets of fpdc, 10 sets of bpdc)
Row 9: ch 2, skipping the ch2 below, [fpdc in each of the 4 back post dc of previous row, bpdc in each of the 4 front post dc of previous row] 10 times, sl st on top of the first dc to join (10 sets of fpdc, 10 sets of bpdc)
Row 10: repeat Row 6
Row 11: repeat Row 7
Row 12: repeat Row 8
Row 13: repeat Row 9
Row 14: repeat Row 6
Row 15: repeat Row 7
Row 16: repeat Row 8
Row 17: repeat Row 9
Row 18: repeat Row 6
Do not fasten off, set aside the crocheted pouch first.
LINING & ZIPPER:
Lining should measure atleast half an inch larger than the pouch. Since the pouch measures 17×11 inches in diameter, I cut out a 8×12 inches cloth lining.
Fold cloth into half then fold both ends about half an inch. I recommend pressing the folded ends so they both form a line which you can use as guide when sewing the zipper on the cloth later on. Sew left side of the lining using back stitch method, make sure to leave atleast half an inch margin. Continue to sew first side of the zipper. I sew a stopper before sewing the second side of the zipper because the zipper I used is longer than the opening of the pouch. Pinch the corners under the zipper and make sure to double the stitches to make it sturdy. Fasten off. Sew the other side of the lining.
CROCHETING THE LINING TO THE POUCH:
Place the finished lining in the crocheted pouch. Using the 3.5mm crochet hook, pick up the last loop you made on your pouch, chain 1. *Catch yarn over then insert hook in the same stitch as chain one, insert hook in the first back stitch made on the lining, yarn over again and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. Repeat steps from * until you complete 36 hdc sts on the first side of zipper, 4 hdc sts on the corner, 36 hdc sts on the second side of zipper, 4 hdc sts on the last corner, sl st on top of the first hdc to join. Fasten off. (80 hdc sts made)
I recommend this video from Nicki’s Homemade Crafts to see how to crochet a lining on a crocheted pouch further.
There you go! I hope you had a great time making this simple pouch. You can put additional accessories such as keychains or a beaded tassle charm like the one I made. Click HERE to see how to make a tassle fringe to make various projects such as tassle charms and earrings.
