Maderia Basket in Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca Thick & Quick - M22088 TATQ - Downloadable PDF

Maderia Basket Free Crochet Pattern by Kristi Simpson — Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca Thick & Quick

The Maderia Basket is a charming, beginner-friendly crochet accessory pattern designed by Kristi Simpson in collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn Company. Released as a free downloadable PDF under pattern number M22088 TATQ, this project produces a sturdy, decorative basket measuring approximately 7 inches wide and 7 inches tall — a compact and versatile size perfect for storing small items on a desk, shelf, or countertop. Whether you are new to crochet or simply looking for a quick, satisfying make, this pattern offers an approachable construction with a polished, finished look.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a crocheted basket — a three-dimensional, freestanding accessory with structured sides and a defined base. At roughly 7 in. (18 cm) in both width and height, the Maderia Basket is ideally sized as a catchall for small household items, a decorative accent piece, or a handmade gift. The use of super chunky yarn gives the basket natural body and shape, reducing or eliminating the need for stiffening agents or internal supports.

Techniques and Construction

The Maderia Basket is rated Easy (Beginner) in skill level, making it an excellent project for those who have just learned the basics of crochet and are ready to work in the round. The construction is worked in continuous rounds, building from the base upward to form the sides of the basket. This seamless, circular construction is a fundamental crochet technique that teaches crafters how to increase evenly to create a flat base and then work straight to build vertical walls.

The pattern also introduces a small amount of shaping through decreases, giving the basket its characteristic form. Two colors of yarn are used, adding a decorative element and giving crafters gentle practice with color changes in the round — another foundational skill in crochet.

Stitches Used

• Single Crochet (sc): The primary stitch throughout the pattern, single crochet creates a tight, dense fabric that is ideal for structured items like baskets. It is one of the most fundamental stitches in crochet and is perfect for beginners to practice.
• Single Crochet in Back Loop Only (sc-blo): Working into the back loop only of a stitch creates a visible ridge on the fabric and is a classic technique used to define the transition between the base and the sides of a basket. This stitch gives the Maderia Basket its clean, structured edge where the bottom meets the walls.
• sc2tog (Single Crochet Two Stitches Together): A standard single crochet decrease worked by inserting the hook into the next stitch and drawing up a loop twice, then yarning over and drawing through all three loops on the hook to reduce the stitch count by one. This technique is used to shape the basket and create its finished silhouette.

Materials Required

Yarn

• Lion Brand® Touch of Alpaca® Thick & Quick® (Art. #686), a super chunky weight yarn that blends softness with structure. Two colorways are called for:
• #132 Pumpkin — 2 balls (Color A, the main color)
• #110 Nightshade — 1 ball (Color B, the contrast color)

Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca Thick & Quick is a luxuriously soft super bulky yarn with a touch of alpaca fiber blended in, giving it a gentle halo and a cozy, elevated feel. Its substantial weight means projects work up quickly and the resulting fabric has natural stiffness and body — qualities that make it especially well-suited for basket construction without the need for additional stiffening.

Hook and Notions

• Lion Brand® Crochet Hook, Size N (10 mm) — a large hook appropriate for super chunky yarn, allowing stitches to form quickly and evenly.
• Lion Brand® Large-Eyed Blunt Needle — used for weaving in yarn ends neatly upon completion.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 8