Knitting a bulky yarn at a tighter gauge than usual means that you'll end up with a really sturdy fabric. And when knitting with a yarn like Lion Brand Zpagetti, which is made from remnants left over from garment manufacturing, you'll end up with a project that stands up on its own, which is just what we want in the case of this knit basket.
The project as written takes a little more than half a ball, so you could increase another round on the base and knit a bigger bowl, or make a smaller one, too, and have nesting bowls. Either way, this yarn is fun to work with, but at this tight gauge you'll need to take breaks while you work.
Materials:
- one ball Lion Brand Zpagetti, or about 30 yards of similar super bulky yarn (or your own T-shirt yarn)
- set of 4 size 11 US (8 mm) double-pointed needles (you might also want a short circular of the same size)
- tape measure, scissors and yarn needle or crochet hook
Gauge:
Gauge is not critical for this project, but I got 10.5 stitches and 15 rounds per 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch in the round
Size:
Finished basket is about 5 inches across the base and 5 inches tall.
Knitting the Basket Base:
Cast on 8 stitches. Divide onto 3 needles and join in the round.
- Round 1 and all odd-numbered rounds: knit.
- Round 2: knit in the front and back of every stitch. 16 stitches.
- Round 4: *kfb, k1. Repeat from * around. 24 stitches.
- Round 6: *k2, kfb. Repeat from * around. 32 stitches.
- Round 8: *k3, kfb. Repeat from * around. 40 stitches.
Knitting the Basket:
Purl 1 round.
Knit straight until piece measures 5 inches.
Bind off in purl.
Cut yarn and weave in ends.
This basket will stand up on its own, but it might lean a little until you put something in it. But that's what it's for, right?
