Trapillo Basket Pattern with Square Base

T-SHIRT BASKET PATTERN

T-shirt yarn baskets are practical, quick, and very decorative projects. This pattern will teach you how to crochet a square-based basket, ideal for organizing the bathroom, storing your crafts, toys, or sofa throws. A timeless classic!

Materials for this pattern

• 2 balls of t-shirt yarn (gray and white colors in the example)
• Crochet hook no. 10–12 mm
• Wool needle for finishing

Final measurements

• Base: approx. 20 × 20 cm
• Height: 15 cm

Step-by-step pattern

The Base

Round 1.- In gray yarn, we knit 3 chains (A) and close them with a slip stitch, to form a circle (B).
We chain one stitch for height and make 8 single crochet stitches by inserting the hook into the center of the hole (C) we have formed (not into the chain). Remember to place the marker in your first stitch. After crocheting the 8 stitches, join with a slip stitch to the first stitch, closing the circle (D).

Round 2.- Make a turning chain and make 8 increases, that is: 16 stitches. Each increase consists of working two stitches into the same stitch of the previous round. Close the round with a slip stitch into the first stitch.

Round 3.– We make a turning chain and knit this sequence around the entire round:
1 single crochet, 1 increase. In total we should have 24 stitches at the end of the round. We close with a slip stitch in the first stitch.

Round 4 - Make a turning chain. In this round we will begin the square shape. This is done by making 3 stitches together at each corner (in the same space as the stitch from the previous round). We knit:
Corner (3in1), 5 single crochet stitches, Corner (3in1), 5 single crochet stitches, Corner (3in1), 5 single crochet stitches, Corner (3in1), 5 single crochet stitches, close the round with a slip stitch. (Total 32 stitches).

Round 5.- We make 1 chain stitch and knit:
[Corner (3in1), 7 single crochet stitches] and repeat the sequence three more times.
We finish with a slip stitch. Total 40 stitches.

Round 6.– We make 1 chain stitch and knit:
[Corner (3in1), 9 single crochet stitches] and repeat the sequence three more times.
We finish with a slip stitch.
Total 48 points.

Turn

We've finished our base, so we won't be adding any more stitches. All our next rounds will have 48 stitches. We're going to make the turn so the work starts to rise upwards.

Round 7.- Make a turning chain and work 48 single crochet stitches, inserting the hook only into the back loop of the stitch from the previous round. Close with a slip stitch, changing color to white (close the slip stitch by picking up the loop of the new color).

Sides
Round 8.- In white, chain 1 and work 48 single crochet stitches. Close the round with a slip stitch.

Rounds 9, 10, 11 and 12.- Repeat the steps of round 8.

Round 13.– Chain 1. Now we'll work in tapestry stitch: we'll work both colors of yarn at the same time. When working in one color, we carry the other color yarn hidden in the back loop of the stitch. Work 1 white stitch, 1 gray stitch… and so on around. To change color, slip stitch to join the stitch with the next color. Join the round with a slip stitch.

Round 14.– Make 1 chain stitch and work 48 single crochet stitches in tapestry stitch, alternating as in the previous round, but starting with the gray: 1 gray stitch, 1 white stitch… Close the round with a slip stitch. I can cut the white yarn now.

Round 15.- In gray, make 1 chain stitch and work 48 single crochet stitches. Close with a slip stitch.

Round 16.- In gray, knit 48 slip stitches.

We finish off the threads by sewing them between the stitches so they are not visible.

💡 Tips

• You can vary the size of the base by increasing the number of turns with corners in the same pattern.
• Make the basket taller by repeating more smooth loops on the sides.
• The tapestry technique allows you to play with drawings and colored stripes.