* You can purchase the INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern on Etsy! This printer friendly, stylishly formatted PDF includes crochet charts for all 3 sizes as well as a photo tutorial on how to assemble the basket into shape and is a total of 13 pages including the cover page. *
The weather is finally warming up after a frigid winter and it’s bringing me back to life. Longer days, sunshine and warmth have me breathing just a little lighter. We even had a couple days warm enough to open the windows and let fresh air fill the house this week, which felt absolutely glorious.
Of course, like clockwork, the warmer weather always has me itching to declutter and start spring cleaning. There’s nothing quite like a fresh, clean slate to spark creativity and make a home feel lighter and more inviting.
If you know me at all, you know I’m a bit of a type A person, so cleaning season inevitably turn into organizing season. That’s exactly what inspired this project: The Triad Nesting Baskets. This modern crochet basket pattern is available in three practical sizes and features a clever construction that’s worked flat and assembled into shape – no sewing required.
These stylish crochet baskets are perfect for organizing craft supplies, toys, bathroom essentials, or everyday clutter. Made with sturdy cotton yarn, they’re both practical and beautiful, making them a handmade storage solution you’ll reach for again and again.
Construction: The Triad Nesting Baskets are worked flat and then assembled into their final basket shape. You will begin by working in the round to create the square base. From there, each side is worked directly onto the base, one at a time. Once all sides are complete, they are positioned and secured with a final round worked around the top edge, creating the finished basket form.
Skill level: Adventurous beginner
Materials:
Hook
Notions
Yarn
I used 3 colours of Lion Brand Yarns 24/7 Cotton which is a worsted weight (size 4) yarn. The pictures in this pattern show this yarn in the following colours:
- Small Basket: Bay Leaf
- Medium Basket: Blue Grey
- Large Basket: Succulent
You will need 3 skeins of different colours or at least the following quantities:
- Small basket: 81 yds (75 m/ 44 g)
- Medium basket: 139 yds (128 m/ 75 g)
- Large basket: 185 yds (170 m/ 100 g)
Not ready to knit just yet? Pin it so you can come back to it later!
Gauge: In moss stitch: 4”x4” (10cm x 10cm) = 25 stitches across x 11 rows high.
Final measurements:
- Small basket: 3″ (8 cm) in width/depth and 2″ (5 cm) in height.
- Medium basket: 4″ (10 cm) in width/depth and 2-1/2″ (6 cm) in height.
- Large basket: 5″ (13 cm) in width/depth and 3″ (7.5 cm) in height.
Notes:
- This pattern is written using standard US crochet terms.
Abbreviations and special stitches:
- Ch: Chain
- Sc: Single Crochet
- MR: Magic Ring
- Sl st: Slip Stitch
- Sp: Space
- St(s): Stitch(es)
Pattern:
Small (Medium, Large)
Base:
This section is worked in the round but not continuously. Each round is finished with a slip stitch and then turned, so you will be working back and forth around.
Round 1: With 4.5mm (US size 7) hook, [Ch 1, (sc 1, ch 1, sc 1, ch 2) 4 times] in MR, pull tail to close ring, join with a sl st in first sc of round, turn.
Round 2: Ch 1, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, join with a sl st in first sc of round, turn.
Round 3: Ch 1, *(sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1) until next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, join with a sl st in first sc of round, turn.
Round 4: Ch 1, *(sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1) ** until next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, ending last repeat at **, join with a sl st in first sc of round, turn.
Rep Round 4 until square measures 3″ (4”, 5″) wide, measuring from one flat side, across the center to the other flat side. This took me 7 (10, 12) rounds.
When you reach the end of the last round, join and fasten off. Weave in ends and move to sides.
Sides:
This section is worked flat, in rows back and forth. The ch 1 as the beginning of every row does not count as a st.
Row 1: Sl st into corner sp to join yarn, (ch 1, sc) in same corner sp, ch 1, sc in next st (sc from row below), *ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, repeat from * until last ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in next st (sc from row below), ch 1, sc in corner sp, turn (4 sts increased)
Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in first st (sc from previous row), *ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, repeat from until last ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in last st (sc of previous row), turn (2 sts increased)
Row 3-11 (15, 17): Repeat row 2.
You should finish on the opposite side of where you initially joined your yarn. Your last row should have 41 (55, 63) sts.
You will now work down the side until you reach the base: ch 1, sc 11 (15, 17) – one st in each row down the side.
Repeat instructions for each of the 3 remaining sides then sl st into base corner sp. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Assembly/Finishing:
Count 12 (16, 18) sts & 23 (31, 35) sts from the ends of each side and place stitch markers.
You will have 4 stitch markers per side for a total of 16 per basket.
Overlap the sides making sure the finished edge is facing outwards and combine corner stitch markers, removing extras as you go (4 in total). You will have two layers of fabric in each corner.
Position in place the ends of each side using the remaining stitch markers ensuring they go through all three layers at once.
Once this step is complete, your basket should look like this:
Now that your basket is held into shape with the stitch markers, we will join the yarn to work a final round around the top of the basket which will finish it off nicely and hold the layers together. You can start anywhere but I found it easiest to start in the sc immediately to the left of a corner stitch marker. Make sure to work this round through all the layers of fabric (either two or three depending on where you are).
Sl st to join yarn, (ch 1, sc) into the first st, *skip 1 st, sc in the next st; repeat from * around, ensuring you place 1 sc in the very tip of each side (where your side stitch markers are), even if it means adding an additional sc to the row, sl st into the first st of the round and fasten off.
Weave in ends and voilà, you have successfully made a basket.
Note: The st count of the final row isn’t important as long as the sts are evenly distributed around and create a clean finish (too many sts will cause the finished edge to ripple and be loose and not enough sts will cause the basket to cave in on itself instead of standing straight).
These baskets are one of those projects that are as practical as they are beautiful. No matter where you use them, they’re a simple way to add both function and handmade charm to your home.
Mercerized cotton makes these baskets especially durable for everyday use. The smooth, strong fibers help the baskets hold their shape, and because the yarn is machine washable and dryable, they’re easy to care for when life gets a little messy. It’s the perfect choice for storage pieces that are meant to be used and enjoyed for years to come.
I hope you enjoy making your own Triad Nesting Baskets and finding all the little places around your home where they can help bring a bit more order and calm. After all, it’s the handmade touches that turn everyday spaces into something special.
If you like this pattern, please share on social media using #TriadNestingBaskets and tag @KnitalieCo.
If you would like to purchase the INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern, here’s the link! Purchasing the printer friendly, stylishly formatted PDF which includes crochet charts for all 3 sizes as well as a photo tutorial on how to assemble the basket into shape, helps me continue sharing free content.
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