If you’ve ever staked plants in your garden, chances are you have a spool of jute twine lying around the house. Put it to a fun, new use with this beaded basket. If you don’t have any jute, you’ll find what you need with a quick stop by the twine section of your local hardware store. While you’re there, take a look at some of the other twine available; you may just find yourself crocheting with alternative materials you never considered before.
Approx 4½ inches diameter and 2 7/8 inches tall.
Rounds 1-5 = 4¼ inches
US Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
ch-1 sp(s) = chain 1 space(s)
flo = front loop only
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
Beads are sewn into the pattern with hemp cord after the basket is complete, not threaded onto the jute. Hemp jewelry cord is usually available in small quantities (about 10-yard bundles) at craft stores or anywhere jewelry-making supplies are sold. - Some jute has an odor reminiscent of fuel while other jute is virtually odorless except for a very light scent of natural fibers. Give it a good whiff before you buy it. If it smells bad, buy it elsewhere.
Basket
Make an adjustable ring [1] by placing tail end behind working end of yarn, forming a loop.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring, pull tail end to tighten ring, sl st in 1st sc to join.
Round 2: (Note: On this round, crochet over the tail left from Round 1 because jute is rough and it is much easier than trying to work the tail in later.) Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, sl st in 1st sc to join. (16 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) around, 2 sc in last sc, sl st in 1st sc to join. (24 sc)
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc, (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc) around, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc, sl st in 1st sc to join. (32 sc)
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each of 1st 3 sc, (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc) around, 2 sc in last sc, sl st in 1st sc to join. (40 sc)
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in flo of each sc around, sl st in 1st sc to join. (40 sc)
Round 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st sc (place marker in this st), sc in each sc around, do not join. (40 sc)
Round 8: Sc in 1st sc (move marker to this st), sc in each sc around, do not join. (40 sc)
Round 9-10: Repeat Round 8 twice.
Round 11: (Note: Increasing by 2 on this round does not affect the shape of the basket, but evens out the number of stitches for the bead spaces made in Round 12.) Sc in 1st sc (move marker to this st), sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 19 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last 10 sc, sl st in 1st sc to join. (42 sc)
Round 12: (Note: The ch-1 sps in this round form the spaces for placing beads later.) Ch 1, sc in 1st sc (move marker to this st), (ch 1 loosely, skip next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc) around, ch 1 loosely, skip next sc, sc in last sc, sl st in 1st sc to join. (42 sc)
Round 13: Ch 1, sc in 1st sc (move marker to this st), sc in each sc and ch-1 sp around, do not join. (42 sc)
Round 14: (Note: This round produces a nice braid-like effect around the top of the basket and adds stiffness to help support the round shape of the basket.) Sl st loosely in 1st sc (move marker to this st), sl st loosely in each sc around, sl st in 1st sl st to join. (42 sl st plus one for final joining.) Fasten off.
Add Beads
Thread needle with hemp jewelry cord. Ideally, your threaded needle will pass through the bead hole. If it does not, try enlarging the holes with a bead reamer or use a smaller-eyed needle if possible.
Sew 1 bead into each ch-1 sp on Round 12 as follows (shown in Figures 1-3): with right side of basket facing you, proceeding in a circle around basket, secure end of cord, pass threaded needle through 2 sc, (thread 1 bead onto cord, pass needle through next 2 sc, lightly press bead into ch-1 sp) around, secure end of cord.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
