Crochet Cutlery Baskets in Bernat Maker Outdoor - Downloadable PDF

Crochet Cutlery Baskets in Bernat Maker Outdoor – Free Downloadable PDF Pattern

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Bernat, handmade in partnership with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores®, provides complete instructions for crocheting a set of practical, stylish cutlery baskets using Bernat® Maker Outdoor™ yarn. The pattern includes two sizes — a Small Basket and a Large Basket — making it a versatile project for organizing cutlery, utensils, craft supplies, or any number of household items. Because the yarn is specifically designed for outdoor use, these baskets are equally well-suited for patio dining setups, picnic tables, and alfresco entertaining as they are for indoor kitchens and dining rooms.

About the Designs

Small Basket

The Small Basket measures approximately 6" x 6" x 9" [15 x 15 x 23 cm], making it a compact and tidy container ideal for holding a single set of cutlery or a small collection of kitchen tools. It is worked in the round from the bottom up, beginning with a classic circular foundation and expanding outward through strategic increases before the sides are worked straight to build the walls of the basket.

Large Basket

The Large Basket measures approximately 6" x 12" x 9" [15 x 30.5 x 23 cm], offering a longer, rectangular silhouette that can accommodate multiple cutlery groupings side by side — perfect for a buffet table or a well-organized kitchen drawer alternative. Like the small version, it is constructed in the round from the base upward, with increases shaping the flat bottom before the walls rise to their full height.

Techniques and Construction

Both baskets are constructed using a bottom-up, worked-in-the-round crochet method. The flat base is shaped through a series of carefully placed increase rounds, a technique commonly used in crocheted bowls and baskets to create a flat, stable foundation without seams. Each increase round adds stitches at evenly spaced intervals — specifically by working 3 single crochet into a single stitch at the corner or curve points — gradually expanding the base to the desired dimensions. Once the base reaches its full size, the sides are worked straight, maintaining a consistent stitch count per round to build the vertical walls of the basket.

This construction approach is a hallmark of crocheted container design. Working in joined rounds with a slip stitch join and a turning chain at the beginning of each round keeps the fabric neat and the edges even. Stitch markers are recommended to help track the beginning of each round, which is especially helpful for beginners learning to navigate circular crochet.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – used to begin the project and at the start of each round
• Single crochet (sc) – the primary stitch used throughout both baskets, forming the dense, sturdy fabric of the walls and base
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to join each round, keeping the construction neat and circular

The exclusive use of single crochet throughout the pattern makes this an excellent project for beginners. Single crochet is the most fundamental of all crochet stitches — short, tight, and easy to control — and it produces a firm, close-knit fabric that holds its shape beautifully, which is exactly what a functional basket requires. The repetitive nature of the stitch pattern also makes these baskets a relaxing, rhythmic project for more experienced crocheters looking for a quick and satisfying make.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Bernat® Maker Outdoor™ in Summer Storm Gray (99003) — a chunky weight yarn (8.8 oz / 250 g; 249 yds / 228 m per ball). One ball is required for the Small Basket; two balls are required for the Large Basket.
• Crochet Hook: Size U.S. J/10 (6 mm), or the size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Stitch markers

Bernat® Maker Outdoor™ is a specially formulated yarn designed to withstand outdoor