Benita Nesting Baskets - Free Knitting Pattern For Home in Paintbox Yarns Recycled Big Cotton by Paintbox Yarns

Benita Nesting Baskets – Free Knitting Pattern Summary

The Benita Nesting Baskets is a free downloadable knitting pattern by Paintbox Yarns, designed to create a set of nesting storage baskets for the home. The pattern produces multiple baskets in graduated sizes, designed to sit neatly inside one another for a stylish, coordinated look. With their sturdy, textured construction and chunky profile, these baskets are a practical and decorative addition to any living space, suitable for storing everything from yarn stash to household essentials.

About the Design

The pattern includes four sizes of basket, each worked to a different height and circumference. The finished dimensions range from approximately 15½ inches (39.5 cm) up to 19¾ inches (50 cm) in height, making the set versatile and visually impactful when displayed together. Each basket is a self-contained project, so knitters can choose to make just one size or the complete nesting set.

• Size 1: Height approximately 15½ in / 39.5 cm
• Size 2: Height approximately 17 in / 43 cm
• Size 3: Height approximately 18 in / 46 cm
• Size 4: Height approximately 19¾ in / 50 cm

The graduated sizing is achieved by working the same fundamental construction method across all four versions, with stitch counts and round numbers adjusted for each size. Instructions are written for the smallest size first, with changes for larger sizes given in round brackets throughout the pattern.

Techniques Used

The Benita Nesting Baskets are worked entirely in the round using circular knitting needles, which means there are no seams to sew up and the basket grows seamlessly from base to rim. This technique is well suited to container-style projects, as it produces a smooth, continuous fabric that holds its cylindrical shape effectively.

The basket begins at the base, cast on with just 4 stitches, and is shaped outward through a series of increase rounds. The pattern uses a straightforward increase method — noted in the instructions as Inc 1 — repeated evenly around the round to create a flat, circular base that expands consistently. This type of base construction is a classic approach in knitted container patterns, producing a neat, disc-shaped bottom before the sides are worked upward.

Once the base is complete, the sides of the basket are worked straight in the round to the desired height. The combination of knit and purl rounds is used in the construction — the pattern references a purl round as part of the base shaping sequence — which can add texture and structural interest to the fabric.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the primary stitch used throughout the body of the basket
• Purl stitch – used in specific rounds during the base construction
• Increase stitch (Inc 1) – used repeatedly in the base shaping rounds to grow the stitch count from 4 stitches outward to the full circumference

The stitch pattern is intentionally simple and repetitive, which allows the super chunky yarn and the bold, textured fabric it creates to take centre stage. Working with large stitch counts on circular needles in the round also means progress is quick and satisfying, even at this scale.

Materials

The recommended yarn is Paintbox Yarns Recycled Big Cotton, a super chunky weight yarn. As the name suggests, this yarn is made from recycled cotton, making it an environmentally conscious choice that also delivers a firm, structured fabric — ideal for a basket that needs to hold its shape. The cotton composition means the finished baskets are sturdy and will not stretch out of shape over time the way a wool or acrylic yarn might.

The pattern uses four yarn colours, referred to as yarn A, yarn B, yarn C, and yarn D, one for each basket size. This allows knitters to create a coordinated set in complementary or contrasting shades from the Paintbox Yarns Recycled Big Cotton palette.

The pattern is worked on US size 11 (8mm) circular knitting needles, which are the appropriate