How to Crochet Basket-Style Pieces

How to Crochet Basket-Style Pieces (Using T-Shirt Yarn)

The beautiful set in the photo is made with T-shirt Yarn (often called “Fio de Malha” in Portuguese or “Zpagetti” in English), which is a thick, stretchy yarn made from recycled fabric remnants. It requires a specific technique to achieve a firm and structured result.

1. Essential Materials (Materiais Essenciais)

Item (Item)	English Term (Termo em Inglês)
Yarn	T-shirt Yarn or Fabric Yarn
Hooks	Crochet Hook (Usually sizes 7mm to 12mm, depending on the yarn thickness)
Tesoura	Scissors
Marcador de Ponto	Stitch Marker

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2. The Main Stitch: Centered Single Crochet (Ponto Baixo Centrado)

To achieve that dense, perfect structure seen in the baskets, you need to use the Centered Single Crochet (or Waistcoat Stitch). This stitch is what makes the finished piece look knitted and structured.

Term (Termo)	English Name (Nome em Inglês)
Ponto Baixo	Single Crochet (SC)
Ponto Baixo Centrado	Centered Single Crochet (CSC) or Waistcoat Stitch
Corrente	Chain (CH)
Aumento	Increase (INC) (2 stitches in the same place)
Carreira/Volta	Round or Row

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Step-by-Step: Centered Single Crochet (CSC)

The difference between a regular Single Crochet (SC) and the Centered Single Crochet (CSC) is where you insert your hook.

1. Regular Single Crochet (SC):

• Insert your hook under the two top loops of the stitch below (forming a ‘V’).

2. Centered Single Crochet (CSC) / Waistcoat Stitch:

• Step 1: Look at the ‘V’ shape of the stitch below.
• Step 2: Instead of going under the top loops, insert your hook directly into the center of the ‘V’ (the main post of the stitch).
• Step 3: Yarn over (YO) and pull a loop through. (You now have 2 loops on your hook).
• Step 4: Yarn over (YO) and pull through both loops to complete the stitch.

3. How to Start the Base (Starting the Base of the Baskets)

To create a flat, circular base (like the fruit or tea basket), you generally start with a Magic Ring and use increases.

1. Start: Make a Magic Ring (also called Magic Circle).
2. Round 1: Chain 1 (CH 1), then make 6 Single Crochet (SC) stitches into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the circle.
3. Round 2 (Increases): Chain 1 (CH 1), then make 2 SC in every stitch around. (Total of 12 stitches).
4. Round 3: Chain 1 (CH 1), then alternate: 1 SC, then 1 Increase (2 SC in the next stitch). Repeat around. (Total of 18 stitches).
5. Subsequent Rounds: Continue increasing according to the standard flat circle formula (the number of stitches between increases grows by one each round: 2 SC and 1 INC, 3 SC and 1 INC, etc.) until the base reaches the desired size.

4. Making the Sides (Creating the Walls of the Basket)

Once the base is the correct size, you need to turn the corner sharply to build the vertical walls.

1. Transition Round: In the first round after the base is complete, work one Single Crochet (SC) stitch in the back loop only (BLO) of each stitch around. Do not increase in this round. This creates the distinct edge that separates the base from the walls.
2. Building the Walls: Start working in continuous rounds (spirals) or join with a slip stitch (SL ST) at the end of each round. Now, work the Centered Single Crochet (CSC) in every stitch, without any increases, until the basket reaches the desired height.

Pro-Tip (Dica Profissional): When using T-shirt yarn, keeping the stitches tight is crucial for that structured look. You may need to use a hook size smaller than you would for standard yarn.

Waistcoat Stitch, Center Single Crochet Tutorial