Stranded knitting has a rich tradition in Scandinavia and the British Isles. Hats, mittens, socks, vests, and sweaters sport bands of decorative and whimsical designs. This basket captures a little flavor of those intrepid knitters who have created such functional and beautiful outerwear over the centuries.
Tools and Materials
- 16-inch circular needles, U.S. size 4
- 16-inch circular needles, U.S. size 5
- Double-pointed needles, U.S. size 5
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- 1 skein each Berroco Vintage yarn (3 1/2ounces/218 yards) in the following colors: 5150 Berries (color A), 5101 Mochi (color B).
Finished measurements
8 inches wide by 4-1/4 inches high
Gauge
5-1/2(sts) = 1 inch
Abbreviations
K – knit
K2tog – knit two together
P – purl
Marker – place marker
St(s) – stitch(es)
Yo – yarn over
Stranded Knitting Basket Pattern
Inner Lining
With color A and using U.S. size 4 circular needles, cast on 128 sts and join into round, making sure not to twist the sts.
Round 1: Purl (p).
Round 2: Knit (k).
Round 3: Purl.
K 26 rows more.
Picot Edging
Switch to U.S. size 5 circular needles and *k2tog, yo. Repeat from * across the round.
Sides
Begin following the chart (at top); join color B when needed. Repeat 8 times to complete sides.
Bottom
Place marker every 16 sts.
Round 1: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (120 sts)
Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit.
Round 3: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (112 sts)
Round 5: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (104 sts)
Round 7: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (96 sts)
Round 9: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (88 sts)
Round 11: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (80 sts)
Round 13: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (72 sts)
Round 15: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (64 sts)
Round 17: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (56 sts)
Round 19: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (48 sts)
Round 21: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (40 sts)
Round 23: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (32 sts)
Round 25: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (24 sts)
Round 27: *K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (16 sts)
Round 29: *K2tog. Repeat from * across the round. (8 sts) Break yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail; thread onto yarn needle and pull through remaining sts. Work in tails.
Excerpted from Knitted Baskets: 42 Hip, Happy, and Handmade Projects to Keep Your World Organized (Spring House Press).
