A tisket, a tasket, a very easy basket!

This is a very simple, easy basket that even a beginning crocheter can tackle with ease! The only real twist to this one is that you are using two strands of yarn together to make it nice and thick and sturdy enough to stand up on it's own. It's not hard at all, but it may be a new technique to some people.

It's pretty easy! You just hold the two strands, from two separate skeins of yarn together!

Supplies:

• two skeins of yarn. I used Loops & Threads Impeccable because I really like that while it is super soft, unlike a lot of soft yarns, it really holds it's shape AND it doesn't get fuzzy.
• Size J crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Round 1: Magic Circle. Chain 1. 10  half double crochet (HDC) in magic circle and pull tight. Slip stitch into first DC. (10 HDC)

Round 2: Ch 1. 2 HDC in each stitch around. Slip stitch into first HDC of round. (20 HDC)

Round 3: Ch 1. HDC in same stitch as chain. 2 HDC in next stitch. * HDC in next stitch, 2 HDC in next. * Repeat the instructions between the *  * around the circle until you reach the end. You will have 30 HDC stitches. Slip stitch into first HDC of round.

Round 4: Ch 1. HDC into same stitch as chain. HDC in next stitch. 2 HDC in next. * H DC in next two stitches, 2 HDC in third stitch *. Repeat  *  * around. You will have 40 HDC stitches. Slip stitch into first DC of round.


Round 5: Ch 1. HDC into same stitch as chain. HDC in next two stitches, the 2 HDC stitches in next stitch. * HDC in next three stitches, 2 HDC in fourth stitch. *  Repeat *  * around. You will have 50 HDC stitches. Slip stitch into first HDC of round.

Round 6: Ch 1. HDC into same stitch as chain. HDC in next three stitches, then 2 H DC in next stitch. * HDC in next four stitches, 2 HDC in fifth stitch.*  Repeat * * around. You will have 60 HDC stitches.  Slip stitch into first DC of round.


Round 7: Ch 1. HDC into same stitch as chain. HDC in next four  stitches, then 2 HDC in next stitch. * HDC in next five stitches, 2 HDC in sixth stitch.*  Repeat * * around. You will have 70 HDC stitches.  Slip stitch into first HDC of round.


Round 8: Ch 1. HDC into same stitch as chain. HDC in next five stitches, then 2 HDC in next stitch. * HDC in next six stitches, 2 H DC in seventh stitch.*  Repeat * * around. You will have 80 HDC stitches.  Slip stitch into first HDC of round.


At this point you will stop increasing your rounds and starting working up. Row 9 will be a little different. You will crochet in the back loop ONLY. Crocheting in the back loop only for one row will change the direction of your basket from OUT to UP, so you can start building the sides of the basket. If you aren't sure how to do this, watch this video tutorial:

Round 9: Ch 1. HDC in same stitch in BACK LOOP ONLY. HDC around in the BACK LOOP ONLY. (80 HDC).

After this round, resume crocheting into BOTH loops.

Rounds 10- 22: Ch 1. HDC in same stitch. HDC around.

Fasten off. Weave in all loose ends.

Start using your basket!

Notes: you can adjust the size easily by continuing to increase your rounds in the base. For example, to add a 9th row in the base, you would HDC 7 stitches and then HDC twice in the same stitch. For the 10th row, you would HDC 8 and then HDC twice in the same stitch and so on. And obviously to make it taller, you would just continue on with more rows until it reaches your desired height.