Saturday 8 June 2013

Zpagetti Basket tutorial

I have now made 3 Zpagetti project baskets and have decided to share my pattern with you all.  I had been checking out patterns online, but didn't really find an easy one the size I wanted.  I am not a crochet expert at all, but I have come up with a great, easy pattern. 
 
Ok, so here is my tutorial.  I have added YouTube video links for those of you who are beginners and want to have a go.  It is super easy.
 
You will need 2x Zpagetti for this basket as well as a 12mm crochet hook.
 
The first part, beginners will need to watch these two videos:
Video for chain HERE.
Video for joining to form a ring HERE.
Video for Double Crochet (DC) HERE.
 
BASE:
Make 6 chain. Join using a slip stitch.  
 
Row 1:  2 Chain, 11 Double Crochet (DC) into the centre ring.  That first 2 chain will always be counted as one stitch in my pattern.  You now have 12 stitches (2 chain = 1 + and 11 DC = 12).
 
Row 2:  2 Chain, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch etc.  Join using a slip stitch.  You now have 18 stitches.
 
Row 3:  2 Chain, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch etc.  Join using a slip stitch.  You now have 27 stitches.
 
Row 4:  2 Chain, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch etc.  Join using a slip stitch.  You now have 40 stitches.
 
Row 5:  2 Chain, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch, 2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next stitch etc.  Join using a slip stitch.  You now have 60 stitches.  Now to build the walls! 
 
 
It is a good time to put a marker in the first stitch.  This is so that your basket doesn't have more stitches on one side.  I used a safety pin:
 
 
 
WALLS:
For this row only, we will be working on the top loop of the edge stitches only.  So you will go into there to make your stitch.  Please check out the picture below:
 
 
We will be doing a Single Crochet for the walls.  You can find how to do it HERE.

Ok, so here we go:  1 Chain , 1 Single Crochet (SC) into next top loop, 1 SC into next top loop, 1 SC into next top loop.  Keep going around until you get to your marker.  When you get there, take it out, do your stitch and put it back in.  Keep going around and around.  Removing the marker, and putting it back in the same spot.  You will notice your basket will curl in.  DONT PANIC.  It will straighten out as it gets bigger.  You could use one Zpagetti and it will finish this size.  Its a great little fruit basket size.
 

 
Stop at the marker when you have enough Zpagetti left to do 2 more rows.  I did 16 rows.  The rows you do, will depend on your tension.
 
HANDLES:
 
7 Chain.  Then slip stitch in the 8th hole.  This makes the handles.
22 SC, 7 Chain, then slip stitch in the 8th hole.  22 SC.  You should be back at the marker now. 
 
TOP OF THE HANDLES:
You should be at the start of the chain for the handles.
9 SC.  Go under the handle chains like this:
 
 
So, they will end up looking like this:
 

22 SC, 9 SC (going under the chain for the handles again), then 22 SC. 

Cut ends about 4" long, pull though and knot.  Weave ends.

And you should have a lovely project basket!
Here is mine:

 
I actually found by turning mine inside out, it sits better!!  You may or may not like this. - Top pic is right side out.  Bottom pic is inside out.
 


Finished size is approx: 14" wide and 12" high.

I hope you can follow my pattern (as I said, I am not an expert :) and I hope you have fun making your basket.

HINT:  If you would like to make an even larger basket, it is easy to work out the handles.  You work out how many stitches you have, take off 16 (for the 2 handles - 8 each), divide the remainder up into 2.  This number is the amount of stitches between the handle chains.  Easy!

A friend is making one with 12 ply wool - doubled.  When I last seen it, it was looking great!

Here is a rundown of links again:
Zpagetti HERE
Chain HERE
Joining the chain to form a ring HERE
Double Crochet HERE
Single Crochet HERE

4 comments:

Larissa said...

Wow! This sounds easier than it looks!! I will definitely *have* to try this - I've put some of that Zpagetti yarn on my wish list ... under a few other items of course :) Thanks for the pattern!!

Noela said...

Thanks Sarah. I might have a go at this. The tutorial seems very easy to follow. Hugs......

Deb R said...

Ive always wanted to make one of these!

DAWNIE said...

Gee it looks like hard work!!! but love the finished product