Crochet Baskets

Now that the gardens have been put to bed

for the winter, I have been spending 

more time indoors and my latest 

passion is crocheted baskets! 

These little baskets were so fun to make

and very quick, too. 

Each basket only took about 4 hours. 

(you can see my stitch marker poking through in the upper right)

I am a slow crocheter, too. 

They are so sweet and have many uses - 

holding jewelry, 

office supplies, 

business cards,

candy,

well, anything you can imagine! 

I found the patterns in 'So Pretty Crochet'

by Amy Palanjian

This book is a collaboration of various 

needle women - each contributing

a different project. 

The crocheted baskets were contributed by

Rae Ritchie

There are projects for necklaces, neck warmers, 

covered stones, headbands, slippers, mittens, caps,

pouches, cuffs, pillows, ornaments, coasters and buntings. 

All very easy. 

(I received no compensation for mentioning

this book - I simply love it)

I used Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton

as it is soft and washable. 

Single crochet with double crochet

 spaces were easy to do. 

Using a relatively small hook size kept the stitches tight. 

I have already gifted these to my sweet 

daughter-in-law, Erica for 

her recent birthday. 

The book suggests using various yarns and hooks

to add a personal touch to your baskets. 

I am already working on one using strips

of vintage calico which I will share when 

I am done. 

There are endless variations!

The sweet card in my photos was sent to me

by a dear blogger friend from Scotland, 

Christine.

Sadly, Christine has just lost her Father

and is in need of thoughts and prayers. 

All the little flowers and vase on the card

 are cut from hand-made paper.

It matches the bouquet of flowers from my daughter! 

I thought they looked so pretty together! 

A vintage doily carries the theme. 

My silver and turquoise bracelet 

is from my sweet 'Blue Eyes'

when we lived in Tucson, Arizona

as newlyweds. 

It is next to my 'lucky marble'

that I found digging in the garden. 

I so enjoyed crocheting these charming 

little baskets. 

I hope this inspires you to make some, too! 

xoxo 

'Friendship improves happiness, 

and abates misery,

by doubling our joy,

and dividing our grief.'

Joseph Addison

Linking with: Ivy and Elephants: What's it Wednesday