Rag Strip Christmas Card Basket - Free Crochet Pattern
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RAG STRIP CHRISTMAS CARD BASKET
FP122
Skill Level: Beginner
Size: 5" deep x 4" across x 9" long.
Materials:54" wide lightweight fabric; 3 yards Red (R), 1 yard White (W) and a 24" long x
2" wide strip of Green (G) for Bow; Large Blunt Needle; Scissors; Pinking Shears; Sewing Machine or sewing needle and thread to sew strips together.
Crochet Hook: Size Q (16.00 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: Rnd 1 = 7" long x 2 ½" wide.
Abbreviations
JOINING WITH SC
When instructed to join with sc, begin with sl knot on hook, insert hook in st or sp indicated, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through both loops on hook.
Cutting Strips
Strips are cut in the direction of the selvage edge. Fold fabric in half lengthwise several times making sure you are still able to cut through all thicknesses. Hold your index finger on top of the fabric at salvage edge along the length of the fabric and your middle finger underneath. Use these fingers as you cut as a measuring guide. Your index or middle finger is about 3 inches long. Sew ends of strips together with Right Sides Together leaving a 1/2" seam allowance.
For clean finished look on baskets: Fold each outer rough edge of strip into the center and then fold in half again. Holding edges together in this manner, make a beginning slip knot. Fold edges in as you continue to crochet the basket.
Note: You may find it easier to iron folds before you begin crocheting the basket.
For a ragged look: Crochet with strips as they are, folding in edges only at seams.
All amounts of fabric are given based on 54" width fabric. If 45" is used add 1 yard. If 60" is used reduce by 1 yard.
Note:Try a test piece with the fabric you've selected. If it seems to limp try increasing the width of strips to 3-1/2 inches or 4 inches.
Note:Leave long ends on starting chain and when fastening off to make weaving ends in easier.
Basket
Rnd 1 (Right Side): With R, ch 7, (sc, ch 2, sc) in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch, [(sc, ch 2) twice, sc] in last ch; working around other side in unused lps of starting chain, sc in next 4 ch, sc in last ch, ch 2; join with sl st to first sc. (14 sc)
Rnd 2:Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, *sc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around; join with sl st in back lp only of first sc. (22 sc)
Rnd 3:Working in back lps only, ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in each sc around, skipping each corner ch-2 sp; join with sl st in both lps to first sc. (22 sc)
Rnds 4-7:Working in both lps, ch 1, sc in each st around; join with sl st to first sc. (22 sc) At end of Rnd 7, finish off and weave in ends.
Rnd 8 (Cuff Rnd): With wrong side facing, join W with sc to any st, work 24 sc evenly spaced around; join with sl st to first sc. (25 sc)
Rnd 9:Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with sl st to first sc. Finish off and weave in ends.
Finishing
Fold cuff over. Cut edges of G strip with pinking shears. Tie strip in a bow and pin center front of basket.