The Changing Leaves Basket turns the crocodile stitch into a cascade of falling leaves in all the beautiful colors of autumn. A celebration and decoration for all things fall!
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This basket is a great stash-buster - especially after you've finished up the Happiest Blanket Ever! Or you can use all your various shades of green for something springy and summery! I think the Changing Leaves Basket perfectly captures both a modern, clean look, and a whimsical gnomes and fairies look - two of my favorites!
Changing Leaves Basket
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- US-I, 5.5 mm hook (Furls Fiberarts used)
- 410 yds Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Aran/yarn symbol “4”/UK: 10 ply; 145 yds; 3oz)
Color A - Chocolate (115 yds)
Color B - Fern (40 yds)
Color C - Kelly Green (40 yds)
Color D - Mustard (40 yds)
Color E - Honey (40 yds)
Color F - Rust (40 yds)
Color G - Terracotta (40 yds)
Color H - Cranberry (55 yds) - Gauge: 3.5" diameter after Round 3
- Finished Size: 8" diameter x 6" tall
- Helpful Video Tutorials: magic circle, crocodile stitches
SPECIAL STITCH:
Crocodile Scale Stitches (see linked tutorial above): *starting at the first dc in a pair of dc sts, work 5 fpdc sts around the first dc moving from the top of the post to the bottom, ch 1, work 5 fpdc sts around the second dc moving from the bottom of the post to the top, sl st in next single dc st; repeat from * around, join to 1st dc (starting point for the round) with a sl st.
NOTES:
- This basket is made in two parts that are then joined together. This creates a sturdier, more solid basket.
- The handles are written in the style shown, but feel free to adjust them to your own taste, or omit them altogether.
LINER INSTRUCTIONS (make 1st):
Round 1: With Color A, make a magic circle, ch 2 (does not count as a st here and throughout), work 12 dc into the ring; join to 1st st with a sl st. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around; join. (24 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *dc in the next st, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join. (36 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join. (48 sts)
Round 5; Ch 2, *dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join. (60 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *dc in the next 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join. (72 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 5 sts; repeat from * around, join. (84 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2, dc in each st around; join and break yarn. (84 sts)
Round 9: With Color B, repeat Round 8.
Round 10: With Color C, repeat Round 8.
Round 11: With Color D, repeat Round 8.
Round 12: With Color E, repeat Round 8.
Round 13: With Color F, repeat Round 8.
Round 14: With Color G, repeat Round 8.
Round 15: With Color H, repeat Round 8. Set liner aside.
OUTER BASKET INSTRUCTIONS:
Round 1 - 8: With Color A, repeat Rounds 1-8 of liner.
Round 9: With Color B, join to any st of Round 8, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), skip 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, *dc in next st, ch 1, skip 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch of ch-4. (42 dc)
Round 10: Work Crocodile Scale Stitches around (see special stitch and linked tutorial above); break yarn. (14 crocodile stitch scales)
Round 11: With Color C, join to center of any crocodile stitch scale, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), 2 dc in next sl st (the single dc st), ch 2, *dc in center of next scale, ch 1, 2 dc in next sl st, ch 2; repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch of ch-4. (42 dc)
Round 12: Repeat Round 10.
Round 13 and 14: With Color D, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
Round 15 and 16: With Color E, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
Round 17 and 18: With Color F, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
Round 19 and 20: With Color G, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
Round 21 and 22: With Color H, repeat Rounds 11 and 12, do NOT break yarn.
ASSEMBLY AND HANDLE INSTRUCTIONS:
Round 23: Insert liner into outer, wrong sides together. Continuing with Color H, ch 1, sc through 1st st and any inner st, 2 sc in next ch-1 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts, sc in center of next scale and next liner st, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts, *sc in next Round 21 sl st/dc and next inner st, 2 sc in next ch-1 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts, sc in center of next scale and next liner st, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts; repeat from * around, join. (84 sts)
Round 24: Ch 1, sc in 1st 7 sts, ch 10, skip 10 sts, sc in next 32 sts, ch 10, skip 10 sts, sc in last 25 sts; join. (84 sts including chs)
Round 25: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch around; join. (84 sts)
Round 26: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join. (84 sts)
Round 27: Sl st in each st around; join and break. (84 sts)
And that's the Changing Leaves Basket! So pretty filled with apples, Halloween candy, or just those odds and ends that need a home! I hope you enjoy this free crochet basket pattern, and have a wonderful autumn season!
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. To print or download, use the Print Friendly button below. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!
Lisa McAvey
OOHH! Pretty. Can't wait to try this. I think shades of red or even a sparkly white would be pretty during the holidays. This is definitely going on my to-do list. After I finish the blankets for the grandkids that are my current projects lol!
Tamara Kelly
Thank you Lisa! Sparkly would be amazing!!
John Stillwagon
I think if that was modified just a little bit, it would make an awesome toilet paper cover.
Tamara Kelly
Oh yes, I can see it! 😀
Sandra Berg
Thank you Tamara, for your very lovely patterns. I use your tutorials, which are very clear & easy to follow. This one looks a little challenge but, with your help I am going to try it.
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you!!
Darlene
Now I have to hurry up and finish the Moroccan basket currently on my hook and dig through my stash for this one! I've liked the crocodile stitch since it first appeared and this is a great way to showcase the stitch.
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you Darlene!
Liz
Wow. Exceptional. Thank you.
Lainee
Could you please tell me if these are USA instructions? or English??? Thank you in advance. 🙂
Tamara Kelly
Hi Lainee! All my patterns are written in US terms. 🙂 I can help you if you need UK instructions though!
Jill
I was so surprised to discover this pattern was for a basket. With a bit of resision I this it could also be an awesome Fall purse.
Thank you for sharing ???
Tamara Kelly
Thank you Jill! It would be a great purse!
Helen Harle
Hi, I really enjoy your newsletter & the Changing Leaves Basket looks to be a great project. I have just started a bag a month challenge for myself & have set up a facebook page (www.facebook.com/mycraftybag/) to document my progress. I would love to use your pattern for my November challenge. I will make it myself & put photos on my page with a link to your site, if that's O.K.? I also have your Moroccan Basket on my list! Helen.
Tamara Kelly
Hi Helen, thank you! That's fine! 😀
Shirley
Just finished the changing leaves basket. The hardest part was joining the two layers. I plan to give it to my daughter in law for her birthday.
Tamara Kelly
Sorry that part was difficult - I hope you enjoyed it overall! 🙂
Beth
Hi there, thank you so much for this pattern. It’s my first successful attempt at the crocodile stitch. I have a question about round 8 & 9 of the outer lining please. Round 8 = 42 dc at end of round. Round 9 = 14 crocodile stitches (which matches the pattern picture).
When I’ve done the rounds of crocodile stitch, I’ve ended up with 28 crocodile stitches. I’m trying to work out where I’ve gone wrong and I’m getting stumped at this point in the pattern.
It just means I’m getting a wider circumference, so I’m not frogging it, but just wondering if you might be able to clarify for me please?
Thanks Beth
Tamara Kelly
Hi Beth! It's always hard to say without being able to get a good look at the project, but my best guess is that you didn't skip enough sts between the dc sts in Round 9. Is that a possibility?