Baskets in Hayfield Super Chunky With Wool - 7804- Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Super Chunky With Wool Crochet Cat Nest and Storage Baskets – Pattern 7804

This Hayfield pattern 7804 is a beginner-friendly crochet design that produces three distinct home accessories: a shallow storage basket, a deeper storage basket, and a generously sized cat nest. All three projects are worked in the round from the base upward, making them ideal introductory projects for anyone new to crochet in the round. The finished pieces are practical, stylish, and sturdy, thanks to the thick, textured nature of the yarn used.

What Is Being Made

• Shallow Storage Basket: A compact, open-top basket with a base diameter of approximately 16 cm (6½ in) and a depth of 8 cm (3 in). Perfect for storing small household items, craft supplies, or desktop essentials.
• Deeper Storage Basket: The same base diameter of approximately 16 cm (6½ in) but with an increased depth of 11 cm (4¼ in), offering a little more storage capacity.
• Cat Nest: A much larger, bowl-shaped nest designed as a cosy resting spot for cats. It measures approximately 35 cm (13¾ in) in base diameter and rises to a height of approximately 31 cm (12 in), creating a deep, snug enclosure.

Techniques Used

All three items are constructed using crochet in the round, beginning with a magic ring (also known as a magic loop or adjustable ring). This technique allows the crafter to start from a tight, closed centre point, which is essential for producing a neat, hole-free base on a circular project. A stitch marker or piece of contrast yarn is used to mark the beginning of each round, which is a standard and helpful practice when working continuous rounds without joining.

The sides of each basket are shaped by transitioning from the increase rounds used to build the flat circular base into straight, unincreased rounds that form the vertical walls. This shift from flat to three-dimensional structure is a fundamental skill in crochet construction and is clearly guided within the pattern instructions.

Stitches Used

• Double crochet (dc) – referred to in US terms as single crochet. This is the primary stitch used throughout all three projects, worked in continuous rounds to build both the base and the sides.
• Chain (ch) – used at the start to set up the magic ring foundation.
• Slip stitch (ss) – used to join the first round after the initial stitches are worked into the magic ring.
• Dc2tog – a double crochet decrease stitch worked by inserting the hook into the next stitch, drawing through a loop, repeating into the following stitch, and then drawing the yarn through all three loops on the hook. This decrease technique helps shape the basket walls where needed.
• 2dc into next dc – a simple increase stitch used during the base-building rounds to expand the circle evenly outward.

Note: This pattern uses UK crochet terminology throughout. US equivalent terms are provided in the abbreviations section of the pattern.

Materials Required

All three projects are made using Hayfield Super Chunky With Wool (shade reference F043), a chunky weight yarn that works up quickly and creates a firm, structured fabric well-suited to basket construction.

• Shallow Basket: 2 x 100g balls of Hayfield Super Chunky With Wool in shade 052
• Deeper Basket: 2 x 100g balls of Hayfield Super Chunky With Wool in shade 065
• Cat Nest: 5 x 100g balls of Hayfield Super Chunky With Wool in shade 066

A single 10.00mm crochet hook (UK 000 / US N/15) is required for all three projects. The stated tension is 8 stitches and 10 rows to 10 cm (4 in) over double crochet pattern using this