Mini oval basket crochet pattern
Have you ever worked with t-shirt yarn? T-shirt yarn is a thick, super bulky to bulky weight yarn that is often made with from recycled cotton, polyester, or a combination of fibers. It was developed by crafters who wanted to repurpose old t-shirts and fabrics into a usable yarn. You can make your own by tearing or cutting up your old t-shirts into strands (there are lots of videos and resources online on how to to this), however, I prefer to purchase the ready made skeins. T-shirt yarn is great for making things like baskets, rugs, or hot pads and trivets (I recommend using only cotton yarn or a cotton blend for the hot pads and trivets). The one thing I will say about using t-shirt yarn is that the due to the nature of how it is made, the thickness can vary based on lots or brands. When working with t-shirt yarn, I usually start with an 8mm hook to see how my wrist feels and because I prefer my stitches tighter. If using an 8mm hook puts too much strain on my wrist, I will move up a hook size to 10mm or 12mm.
Here is a super quick mini basket for storing your business cards at markets. This is an advanced beginner to intermediate level crochet pattern so I do not recommend this to folks who are just learning to crochet. My cards are vertical so I started with a shorter foundation chain about the width of my cards (2”) + 1”; So my chain measured around 3” long. If you’d like to make a wider basket (for landscape cards), simply work your foundation CH to desired width + 1”, then you can follow the general pattern as instructed, however, please note that your stitch count will differ. Since t-shirt yarn thickness can vary, I would focus more on the measurement as opposed to actual stitch count. The measurements are also helpful if you’d like to experiment using other kinds of yarn and/or hook sizes for this pattern.
What I love most about this pattern is that it takes less than 30 minutes to complete! Happy Crocheting!
Mini Oval Basket
Great for storing your business cards at your markets or on your desk!
Mini Oval basket pattern
Finished Dimensions
3” wide x 2” tall
Finished dimensions may differ slightly based on thickness of yarn used.
Supplies
(Affiliate links included):
7 to 10 yards of Hoooked Zpaghetti T-shirt Yarn in color of choice
Other t-shirt yarn brands you can try:
Measuring tape or ruler
Optional: Stitch marker
Abbreviations
BLO = Back Loop Only
FLO - Front Loop Only
CH = Chain
FO = Fast off
Rnd = Round
SC = Single Crochet
SCINC = Single Crochet Increase
SL ST = Slip Stitch
ST = Stitch
WS = Waistcoat Stitch
Pattern notes & special stitches (Please read before beginning pattern)
Due to the small size of this pattern, gauge is not provided. However, this pattern provides stitch count as well as measurements as a general guide.
To make a taller basket, repeat round 4 until you reach desired height minus 1”.
A comma (,) indicates to work in next stitch.
A “ST x#" indicates to work a the given stitch in each of the next X number of stitches indicated: Example: SC x2 = Work 1 single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
Special stitch reference
Invisible Join: The pattern uses an invisible join, which is worked as follows (short video provided below):
After working last ST of rnd, remove hook from loop.
Insert hook into the back of the first ST to the front.
Use hook to pull working loop to the back of first ST.
Invisible join complete.
Waistcoat Stitch (WS): The basket side is worked using WS’s. A WS is essentially a single crochet (SC) but instead of insert the hook into the top of ST as you normally would, the hook is inserted into the V post of the ST.
Here is a short video tutorial on how to work an invisible join and WS:
Instructions
Begin & Rnd 1:
CH6 (or until you reach your desired width + 1”) - image A.1.
Turn your foundation CH so that the back hump is facing up and insert hook into the back hump of 2nd CH from hook - image A.2 to work a SCINC - image A.2.
SC x3 (or until you reach the 2nd to last CH). In the last CH, work a SCINC. - image A.3.
You will now be working on the opposite side of the foundation CH:
In BLO, SCINC in the first CH from hook - image A.4
In BLO, SC x3 across (or until you reach the 2nd to last CH).
In BLO of last CH, SCINC, do not join (14 STS) - image A.5.
Rnd 2:
Working in the FLO, SL ST in first ST - image B.1. In FLO, SL ST x13 (or in each remaining STS around) - image B.2.
Remove hook from loop. Working from the back towards the front of STS, insert hook into the BLO of first ST AND the BLO of corresponding ST for rnd 1 - image B.3.
Use hook to pull loop through so it sits behind BLO of rnd 1 - this completes an invisible join - image B.4 (14 STS).
Rnd 3:
For first WS ST only:
Remove hook from loop and insert hook into the BLO of rnd 2 and the BLO of rnd 1 - image C.1.
Move the working yarn to go over the hook - image C.2 and use hook to pull a loop through - image C.3.
Insert hook into the loop behind BLO of first ST (you will now have 2 loops on the hook), YO and pull loop through both loops to complete your first WS - image C.4
*Insert hook into the BLO of rnd 2 and the BLO of rnd 1 - image C.5 to work a SC in both loops* - image C.6. Repeat from * to * x12 (or the remaining STS around) - image C.7.
Remove hook from loop to work an invisible join (14 STS) - image C.8.
Rnd 4: NOTE: To work a taller basket, you may repeat rnd 4 until you reach desired height minus 1”
*For first WS ST only:
Remove hook from loop and insert hook into the V post of first ST - images D.1 & D.2
Move the working yarn to go over the hook and pull up loop through the V post towards the front of ST - image D.3.
Insert hook into the loop behind first ST (you will now have 2 loops on the hook), YO and pull loop through both loops to complete your first WS - image D.4
WS in next ST - image D.5. WS x10 (or the remaining STS around) - image D.6.*
Work invisible join - image D.7 (14 STS).
Rnd 5: Repeat rnd 4 from * to *, do not join (14 STS).
Rnd 6:
SL ST in first ST - image E.1.
SL ST x13 (or in remaining STs around) - image E.2
Remove hook from loop and insert hook from the back of first ST to the front - image E.3. Use hook to pull working loop to sit behind ST to complete an invisible join - image E.4.
FO and insert yarn tail into loop - image E.5. Gently pull loop to tighten.
Weave ends and your basket is complete (14 STS)! - image E.6.
Copyright © Jarful Of Knots 2025. All Rights Reserved.
This pattern is copyright and owned by Jarful of Knots. No part of this digital pattern may be copied, redistributed, sold, nor altered, and/or claimed as your own. However, you may sell the finished product made from this pattern; please give pattern credit to Jarful Of Knots. Read more in our Terms of Service.
