Hanging Teardrop Baskets Free Crochet Pattern

There is something quietly magical about a handmade basket that holds its shape beautifully while also adding visual warmth to a room. Hanging teardrop baskets have become one of the most beloved home décor projects in the crochet world, and it is easy to understand why. Their elegant elongated silhouette, the way they catch light when filled with trailing plants or dried flowers, and the satisfying process of making them from just a ball of yarn and a hook — these are the things that keep crochet enthusiasts coming back to this pattern again and again.

Whether you are a beginner looking for a project that will stretch your skills just enough to feel rewarding, or an experienced crocheter who wants a quick and beautiful make, this free pattern is for you. Below you will find everything you need: the full pattern with step-by-step instructions, materials, stitch guidance, tips for getting the shape just right, and plenty of ideas for using your finished baskets around your home.

Why Teardrop Baskets Are So Popular Right Now

Boho-inspired home décor has not gone anywhere, and hanging plant holders made from natural fibers are absolutely central to that aesthetic. The teardrop shape specifically has taken on a life of its own because it differs so gracefully from the more common cylinder or flat-bottomed basket styles. The tapered bottom gives the basket a sculptural quality, almost like a piece of woven art, while still being deeply functional.

Crochet teardrop baskets photograph beautifully, which is part of why they appear constantly on home décor boards and in Etsy shops. But beyond aesthetics, they are genuinely practical. The open mesh or tight stitch options allow air circulation for plants, the hanging loop distributes weight evenly, and the natural drape of cotton or jute yarn gives them structure without stiffness.

Making them yourself means you can customize every detail — the size, the yarn weight, the color, even the length of the hanging cord. This free pattern is designed to give you a medium-sized teardrop basket ideal for small to medium houseplants, though you will find plenty of notes for sizing up or down.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin, gather your materials. The great thing about this project is that it does not require an extensive supply list, making it accessible even if you are just getting started with crochet.

Yarn: 100% cotton yarn in a worsted weight (Category 4) is the most popular choice for hanging baskets because it holds its shape well, is durable, and has a beautiful matte finish that suits the natural aesthetic. Natural or off-white cotton gives a classic look, but earthy tones like terracotta, sage green, or dusty taupe are equally stunning. Jute twine is another excellent option if you want a more rustic texture and extra stiffness — it is stiffer to work with but creates a very structured basket. You will need approximately 150 to 200 yards for one medium basket.

Hook: A 5mm (H/8) crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight cotton. If you are using jute or a thicker yarn, go up to a 6mm or 6.5mm hook.

Additional materials: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a tape measure, and optionally a small plastic liner or pot for fitting your plant inside the basket. You will also want a ceiling hook or plant hanger hook if you plan to display your basket.

Stitch markers are helpful for keeping track of rounds, especially in the early rows where the stitch count changes quickly.

Stitch Glossary

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here are the stitches you will encounter:

Magic ring (MR): A sliding loop that allows you to begin crocheting in the round without leaving a hole in the center. If you prefer, you can substitute a chain 4 joined into a ring.

Chain (ch): The foundation of most crochet stitches.

Single crochet (sc): Insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.

Half double crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops.

Double crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.

Slip stitch (sl st): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through loop and the loop on the hook in one motion. Used to join rounds.

Increase (inc): Two stitches worked into the same stitch.

Chain space (ch-sp): The space created by a chain that is worked over rather than into, creating an open mesh effect.

BLO: Back loop only — inserting your hook only into the back loop of the stitch for a ridged, textured effect.

Understanding the Teardrop Shape

The teardrop silhouette is achieved by starting at the very bottom point of the basket and increasing gradually as you work upward. The first several rounds build the tapered tip, then increases slow down and eventually stop entirely, creating the wider cylinder of the basket body. The final rounds flare out very slightly or remain straight to form the opening.

This is different from a flat-bottomed basket, which begins with a foundation oval or circle and then works straight upward. The teardrop method feels almost counterintuitive at first — you are building the shape from the narrowest point — but once you see the form emerging from your hook, the process becomes deeply satisfying.

If you want a longer, more slender teardrop, you can work additional rounds before beginning your increases. If you want a rounder, more bulbous shape, increase more quickly in the early rounds. The pattern below gives you the standard elegant teardrop shape, but do not be afraid to experiment.

The Free Pattern: Hanging Teardrop Basket

Finished size: Approximately 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide at the opening, suitable for a 4-inch pot.

Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with worsted weight cotton and 5mm hook. Gauge is not critical for this project, but it will affect your finished size.

Foundation and Tip (Rounds 1–5)

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the tail to close. Do not join; work in a continuous spiral. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round to track your progress. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3: *Sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: *Sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat around. (24 stitches)

Round 5: *Sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat around. (30 stitches)

At this point you should have a small, slightly rounded disc. This is the very bottom tip of your teardrop.

Building the Body (Rounds 6–14)

Round 6: Work sc in each stitch around with no increases. (30 stitches)

Round 7: *Sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat around. (36 stitches)

Round 8: Work sc in each stitch around with no increases. (36 stitches)

Round 9: *Sc in next 5 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat around. (42 stitches)

Round 10: Work sc in each stitch around. (42 stitches)

Round 11: *Sc in next 6 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat around. (48 stitches)

Rounds 12–14: Work sc in each stitch around with no increases. (48 stitches)

By round 14 your basket should be taking on a beautiful, gently rounded teardrop body. The stitch count has grown from 6 to 48 over these rounds, giving the basket its distinctive widening silhouette.

Creating the Open Mesh Section (Rounds 15–18)

This optional section adds visual interest and allows air circulation for plants. If you prefer a fully solid basket, simply continue working sc in each stitch for rounds 15–18 and skip to round 19.

Round 15: *Sc in next stitch, ch 2, skip 2 stitches* repeat around. At the end of the round, sl st into the first sc. (16 sc, 16 chain-2 spaces)

Rounds 16–17: Sl st into the first ch-sp. *Sc into ch-sp, ch 2, skip sc, sc into next ch-sp, ch 2, skip sc* — actually, work it this way: sc into next ch-sp, ch 2, and repeat around, maintaining the mesh alignment. Join with sl st.

Round 18: Work 2 sc into each ch-sp and 1 sc into each sc around. (48 stitches) Join with sl st.

The Basket Rim (Rounds 19–22)

Round 19: Working in BLO (back loops only), sc in each stitch around. This creates a subtle ridge that helps the basket hold its opening shape. (48 stitches)

Rounds 20–22: Sc in each stitch around, working through both loops. (48 stitches)

After round 22, sl st into next stitch and fasten off, leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Weave in your ends securely using a yarn needle.

Making the Hanging Loop

The hanging loop is what transforms your basket into a beautiful suspended planter. There are two popular approaches.

Simple chain loop: Join your yarn at any stitch along the rim. Chain 60 (or more for a longer drop), skip several stitches along the rim, and sl st to secure. This creates a single looped handle. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Three-strand hanging cord: For a more elaborate hanger that cradles the basket from multiple points, cut six strands of yarn approximately 60 inches each. Fold them in half and attach the folded end to the rim using a lark’s head knot. Divide the strands into three groups of four. Tie an overhand knot near the top where all strands meet. This creates a classic plant hanger look that shows off the teardrop shape from every angle.

Braided cord: Divide six 80-inch strands into three pairs and braid them together for about 12 inches. Knot the end securely, then divide into three individual cords and attach each to equal points around the basket rim using lark’s head knots. This style distributes the weight of your pot evenly.

Tips for a Perfect Teardrop Shape

Getting the teardrop silhouette right takes a little patience, but a few simple techniques make a big difference.

Blocking your basket after it is finished works wonders. Lightly mist the basket with water and then place a balloon inside, inflated to the size you want the basket to hold. Allow it to dry completely before deflating and removing the balloon. This sets the shape beautifully, especially with cotton yarn.

Tension matters more for this project than it might for a flat piece of crochet fabric. If your tension is too loose, the basket will be floppy and lose its shape when filled. Try going down a hook size if the fabric feels flimsy. If your tension is very tight and the basket feels stiff or the tip is puckering, go up half a size.

Do not skip the stitch marker. Working in a spiral means there is no clear beginning or end to each round, and it is surprisingly easy to lose count. A simple piece of contrasting yarn looped through the first stitch of each round saves a lot of frustration.

Sizing Variations

One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it scales. Here are some quick modifications for different sizes.

For a small teardrop basket suitable for a 2-inch succulent pot, work only through round 9 for the body and reduce your rim rounds to two. Use a lighter weight yarn and a 4mm hook.

For a large teardrop basket to hold a 6 or 8-inch pot, continue increasing every other round until you reach 72 or 84 stitches before beginning the straight body rounds. Add extra body rounds for height and use a bulky weight cotton or rope yarn with a 6.5mm hook.

For a set of three graduating baskets to hang together at different heights, make one of each size and hang them from a single ceiling point using cords of different lengths. This look is stunning in a window corner or reading nook.

Plant Ideas for Your Teardrop Basket

The teardrop shape naturally suits trailing plants because the elongated form echoes the downward drape of long vines. String of pearls, pothos, heartleaf philodendron, and ivy all look exceptional spilling over the rim of a hanging teardrop basket. Place your pot inside a small plastic or terracotta pot liner first to protect the yarn from moisture.

Dried botanicals are another beautiful option. A bundle of dried lavender, eucalyptus, or pampas grass tucked into the basket creates a fragrant and long-lasting display that requires zero maintenance. Faux plants work beautifully too if you want all the visual appeal with none of the watering.

You can also use your baskets for things entirely unrelated to plants — a small teardrop basket hung near a desk makes an unexpected but lovely catch-all for scissors, pens, or chargers. Near a bed, it can hold a phone, lip balm, and a small journal.

Caring for Your Crocheted Basket

Cotton yarn baskets are surprisingly durable, but they do benefit from gentle care. If your basket gets dusty, a quick shake outside or a few minutes in the dryer on the air-only cycle (no heat) refreshes it. For more thorough cleaning, hand wash in cool water with a small amount of mild soap, reshape while damp, and allow to dry away from direct sunlight which can yellow natural fibers over time.

Jute yarn baskets should not be washed with water as the fibers can become brittle when wet and dry repeatedly. For jute, spot cleaning with a barely damp cloth is the safest approach.

Share Your Makes

If you use this free pattern to make your own hanging teardrop basket, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the finished project in its home. Whether it ends up in a sunny kitchen window, a bedroom corner, or gifted to a friend who always admires your handmade touches, these baskets have a way of making a space feel more personal and alive.

If you share your finished baskets on social media, leave a note below in the comments — this creative community thrives on inspiration, and seeing how different yarn colors and hanging styles transform the same basic pattern is one of the great joys of sharing free patterns. Happy crocheting.