How to Crochet a Perfect Circle Basket Base for Beginners
In this tutorial, with the tutor’s basket-making series, learn how to crochet a circular base using the waistcoat stitch. Using 5mm braided cotton cord in eucalyptus green and an 8mm crochet hook, she explains techniques like creating a magic circle, making invisible joins, and gradual increases for each round.
The base can be customized in size and prepped by steaming for flatness. This foundation sets the stage for the basket project featured in the next video. So, follow through with us for the complete tutorial.
The Basket-Making Series – Crochet Circular Base with Waistcoat Stitch
This tutorial walks viewers through the process of making a crochet circular base for a basket using the waistcoat stitch. Kristen carefully explains every step, focusing on materials, techniques, and tips to ensure ease of crafting for both beginners and experienced crocheters. Below is a summarized version of the tutorial divided into clear sections for better understanding.
Materials Needed
- Fiber: 5mm braided cotton cord from the Bony brand in eucalyptus green (approximately 100m per bundle). The cord can be purchased online through Bony’s website or Etsy.
- Hook: 8mm crochet hook.
- Optional: Scissors (though they are not used in this tutorial as the cord will remain intact for subsequent steps).
Step 1: Start with a Magic Circle
- Begin by creating a magic circle, which will serve as the foundation of the circular base.
- Secure the circle by chaining once, ensuring the stitch is not too tight for easier work in subsequent rounds.
- Kristen demonstrates how to cinch the circle closed using the beginning tail, emphasizing that the tail should not be woven in until the end.
Step 2: Invisible Join Technique
- Kristen introduces the invisible join technique, which creates a seamless and clean finish between rounds. She demonstrates the method multiple times to ensure clarity.
- For those unfamiliar with this method, Kristen recommends her separate video linked in the description box for additional guidance.
- This technique is used at the end of every round to maintain a smooth visual flow in the base.
Step 3: Crochet Rounds with Increases
- Each round of the project involves working waistcoat stitches and increasing stitch counts to expand the size of the base.
- Kristen provides insights on proper tension, advising viewers to avoid making stitches too tight in earlier rounds to simplify increases in subsequent rounds.
- She shows how to make waistcoat stitches in a consistent pattern and gradually increases the size of the circle to the desired dimensions.
Optional Round Extensions
- While Kristen stops at round five for her tutorial (suiting her upcoming basket project), she explains how viewers can extend their base further.
- By continuing rounds with consistent increase patterns, crafters can make a larger base customized to their needs.
- The pattern for consecutive rounds is described, with each additional round increasing the stitch count by eight.
Steam for Flatness (Optional)
- Kristen identifies a common issue: the circle base might curve slightly during crocheting. To correct this, she suggests steaming the base lightly to flatten it.
- Natural fibers like cotton cord can handle steaming without damage, but synthetic cords require caution to avoid melting.
Special Invisible Join Adjustment for Final Round
- On the last round, Kristen modifies the invisible join slightly to create a uniform look when transitioning into the basket body. This adjustment is helpful for maintaining consistency in appearance across all parts of the basket.
Final Remarks & Next Steps
Kristen concludes the tutorial by preparing the base for day three of her basket-making series. She encourages viewers to steam their base off-camera to ensure it’s flat and ready for the next steps. In tomorrow’s video, she will build upon this base to create a basic basket. Viewers are invited to leave questions in the comments and are thanked for their engagement.
This tutorial is beginner-friendly and provides crisp, detailed instructions for crocheting a circular base, serving as a foundation for future crochet projects.
