There’s something especially meaningful about making something by hand for a baby. A handmade basket can be simple and practical, but it also carries a little bit of the time, care, and love that went into making it.
I really like using t-shirt yarn for projects like this because it gives the basket plenty of body. The finished piece has a modern, clean look, and the thicker yarn makes it possible to create a basket that holds its shape nicely.
This crochet Moses basket has an oval base, sturdy sides, comfortable handles, and a little bonnet that gives it that traditional Moses basket feel. It would make a lovely handmade gift for a new baby, or you could make one for your own nursery and personalize it with your favorite colors.
The basket can also be used for storing blankets, toys, or other nursery essentials. If it is used with a baby, however, it should only be used under appropriate supervision and with proper safety precautions.
Pattern Details
Skill level: Intermediate
ad 26 3
The stitches themselves are fairly simple, but the project does require some attention to tension and shaping. Because t-shirt yarn is thick and can vary slightly in stretch, keeping your tension consistent will help the basket keep its shape.
Finished Size
The oval base measures approximately 45 cm long × 30 cm wide.
Materials
- 4 balls of premium t-shirt yarn
- Size 9 crochet hook
- Stitch markers, optional but helpful
- Yarn needle for weaving in the ends
Abbreviations and Stitch Notes
- sc: single crochet worked into the center of the stitch from the previous round
- ch: chain
- inc: work 2 stitches into the same stitch
- sk: skip a stitch
- dec: decrease
The basket is worked partly in continuous rounds and partly in rows. Keep your stitches fairly firm throughout the project so the sides have enough structure.
ad 26 3
Crocheting the Base
The base is worked in a continuous spiral. This gives the bottom a smooth appearance without a noticeable joining seam.
ad 26 3
Begin by chaining 13 stitches and work into the second chain from the hook.
Round 1
Work 11 sc, 5 sc in the next chain, 10 sc, then work 2 increases.
Total: 30 stitches
Round 2
ad 26 3
Work 12 sc, 3 increases, 12 sc, then 3 increases.
Total: 36 stitches
Round 3
Work 12 sc, then repeat the following sequence 3 times:
1 dc, 1 sc
Continue with 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 more times.
Total: 42 stitches
Round 4
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
2 sc, 1 dc
3 times.
Work another 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 48 stitches
Round 5
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
1 dc, 3 sc
3 times.
Work 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 54 stitches
Round 6
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
4 sc, 1 dc
3 times.
Work 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 60 stitches
Round 7
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
1 dc, 5 sc
3 times.
Work 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 66 stitches
Round 8
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
6 sc, 1 dc
3 times.
Work 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 72 stitches
Round 9
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
1 dc, 7 sc
3 times.
Work 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 78 stitches
Round 10
Work 12 sc, then repeat:
8 sc, 1 dc
3 times.
Work 12 sc, then repeat the same sequence 3 times.
Total: 84 stitches
Round 11
Work 1 sc into every stitch around.
Total: 84 stitches
