Plant Baskets

Plant Baskets by Jem Weston

Project Overview

These knitted plant baskets are intermediate-level container projects designed by Jem Weston. The pattern provides instructions for creating two sizes of decorative baskets suitable for displaying potted plants. Both baskets are constructed using the knitting technique with a plastic tapestry canvas base, making them structured yet flexible vessels for home décor.

What Is Being Made

The pattern includes instructions for two distinct plant basket sizes:

• Small Plant Basket: Measuring approximately 16 cm in height by 41 cm in width, ideal for smaller potted plants or compact spaces
• Large Plant Basket: Measuring approximately 28 cm in height by 82 cm in width, designed to accommodate larger plants or create a more substantial display piece

Materials and Construction Base

Each basket is constructed over a plastic tapestry canvas foundation, which provides structure and stability to the finished piece. The canvas serves as the structural base that the knitted fabric is worked around or over. For the large basket, the pattern notes that two pieces of canvas may need to be joined to achieve the required width, though the height should be completed as a single piece.

Knitting Techniques Used

This project employs the fair-isle technique, a traditional colorwork method that creates patterned designs by carrying yarn not in use loosely behind the active stitches. The pattern emphasizes proper yarn management, instructing knitters to carry unused yarn loosely behind the working stitches while ensuring stitches remain evenly spread and elastic. This technique is worked from a provided chart, with all knit rows read from right to left and purl rows read from left to right, following standard fair-isle charting conventions.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the baskets is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric with a defined right side. The pattern includes standard knitting abbreviations, with K2tog (knit 2 together) noted as a decrease technique used within the construction.

Yarn Weight and Needle Specifications

The pattern is designed to work with DK or worsted weight yarn, providing flexibility in yarn choice while maintaining consistent results. The recommended needle size is 4mm (US 6), which should be used to achieve the specified tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over stocking stitch. Achieving proper tension is essential for the baskets to reach their intended dimensions and maintain the correct fabric drape and structure.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, these plant baskets require knitters to be comfortable with basic knitting techniques, chart reading, and the fair-isle colorwork method. The combination of stocking stitch foundation with fair-isle patterning and the need to manage multiple yarn colors makes this suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginner level.

Format and Availability

This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing immediate access to the complete instructions, charts, and specifications for both basket sizes.