1287 - Scilla Baskets - Crochet Pattern for Home in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Bulky by Valley Yarns

Pattern #1287 Scilla Baskets – Crochet Pattern for Home by Sarah Teague

The Scilla Baskets crochet pattern (#1287) is a charming and practical home accessory pattern designed by Sarah Teague and published by Valley Yarns. This downloadable PDF pattern guides crocheters through the creation of a small, sturdy yarn bowl or basket with a finished size of 4 inches tall by 6½ inches in diameter — perfectly sized to hold a ball of yarn during a project, serve as a decorative desk organizer, or make a thoughtful handmade gift for a fellow fiber enthusiast.

What Is Being Made

The Scilla pattern produces a small crocheted basket or yarn bowl worked in a two-tone colorwork style. Its compact, one-size design makes it an ideal quick project — a satisfying make between larger garments or accessories. The finished basket has a neat, structured appearance that closely resembles a knitted fabric, making it a conversation piece for anyone who loves the look of knitting but prefers the speed and density of crochet.

The pattern includes two charted colorwork options, giving makers the flexibility to choose a simpler two-tone design or a more adventurous stranded colorwork motif. This range of options makes the Scilla basket suitable for a broad spectrum of skill levels, from adventurous beginners to intermediate crocheters.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colorwork: The Scilla basket uses stranded crochet techniques to create its two-tone patterned design. In stranded colorwork, two colors of yarn are carried simultaneously, with the non-working color carried along the inside of the fabric while the working color forms the visible stitches. This technique produces a thicker, more structured fabric — ideal for a basket intended to hold its shape.
• Worked in the round: The basket is constructed entirely in the round, building up from the base in continuous or joined rounds. Working in the round is a foundational technique in crochet that creates seamless, tubular or flat circular fabric — perfect for basket and bowl construction.
• Two charted colorwork options: The pattern provides colorwork charts, allowing makers to follow a visual grid rather than written row-by-row instructions. Chart reading is a valuable intermediate skill that opens up a wide world of colorwork possibilities.

Stitches Used

• Waistcoat stitch (also known as the center single crochet or knit stitch): The defining stitch of the Scilla basket is the waistcoat stitch, a variation of the single crochet worked into the vertical legs of the stitch below rather than the standard top two loops. This technique produces a fabric that closely mimics the appearance of stockinette knitting — with neat, interlocking V-shapes on the right side. The waistcoat stitch also creates a denser, more rigid fabric than standard single crochet, which contributes to the basket's ability to hold its shape without additional stiffening.

Materials – Yarn and Notions

The Scilla basket is worked in Valley Yarns Valley Superwash Super Bulky, a 100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino Wool yarn available in 100g/55-yard skeins. This is a chunky/super bulky weight yarn that works up quickly and produces a thick, cushioned fabric well-suited to the structured nature of a basket. The superwash treatment means the finished item can be machine washed — a practical bonus for a home accessory.

The pattern requires one ball each of two colors to complete a single basket. The sample shown in Colorway A (Coral) uses:

• Color A: 1 ball of 014 – Burgundy
• Color B: 1 ball of 200 – Castaway Coral

Because the yarn is a super bulky weight, the project works up rapidly, making it an excellent choice for last-minute gifts or a satisfying weekend make. The Valley Superwash Super Bulky yarn's merino base gives the finished basket a soft drape and a pleasant texture despite its sturdy construction.

Pattern Details at a Glance

• Designer: Sarah Teague