Small Hanging Basket with Ribbon: Free Crochet Pattern

There is something quietly satisfying about finishing a crochet project and watching it find its place in your home. A small hanging basket woven with ribbon sits in that sweet spot between functional and beautiful — the kind of thing that looks handmade in the best possible way, like it belongs exactly where you put it. Whether you are just getting comfortable with crochet or you have been at it for years, this pattern is designed to be approachable, enjoyable, and genuinely useful when it is done.

This free crochet pattern walks you through every step of making a small hanging basket using ribbon yarn or decorative ribbon. It is perfect for holding succulents, air plants, or trailing vines, and it works just as well as a catch-all for small items on a shelf, a bathroom accent, or a little organizer for a craft room. The finished basket has a natural, woven look that feels organic and intentional, and the ribbon gives it a slightly polished texture that sets it apart from a standard cotton basket.

Let’s get into it.

What You Will Need

Before you start, gather everything on this list. One of the reasons this pattern is so beginner-friendly is that the supply list is short and nothing on it is hard to find.

Yarn: You will need approximately 50 to 75 yards of ribbon yarn or woven fabric ribbon. You can use a commercial ribbon yarn (sometimes labeled as “tape yarn”), a flat ribbon from a craft store, or even cut strips from a sturdy cotton fabric to create your own. The width of your ribbon will affect the final texture of the basket, but anything between half an inch and one inch wide works beautifully. Look for something with a little body to it so the basket holds its shape.

Hook: A 6mm (J/10) crochet hook is recommended for most ribbon weights. If your ribbon is thicker or you prefer a looser tension, go up to a 7mm or 8mm hook. The goal is a fabric that is dense enough to hold its shape but not so tight that the basket feels stiff.

Scissors: A sharp pair is important when working with ribbon, since fraying edges can get frustrating.

Tapestry needle: You will use this to weave in your ends and finish the basket neatly.

Hanging cord: You will need about one yard of cord or thicker yarn for hanging. Macramé cord, jute twine, leather cord, or a contrasting ribbon all work well and each gives a slightly different finished look.

Optional: A small bead, button, or ring to thread the hanging cords through at the top.

Gauge and Sizing

The finished basket measures approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter at the opening and 3 to 4 inches in depth, which makes it ideal for a small potted plant, a single trailing plant, or a decorative collection of small objects.

Because this is a decorative basket rather than a garment, gauge is flexible. If you want a larger basket, simply work more rounds in the base before starting the sides, or continue adding side rounds before finishing the edge. If you want something smaller and more delicate, use a finer ribbon and a smaller hook.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference:

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
inc — increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)
BLO — back loop only
MR — magic ring (also called magic circle)

If you are not familiar with working in the round or using the magic ring method, do not worry. A brief explanation is included in the pattern instructions below. You can also start with a chain-4 foundation joined into a ring if you prefer a simpler start.

Pattern Notes

Working in continuous rounds means you do not join at the end of each round with a slip stitch. Instead, you keep crocheting in a spiral. It helps to use a stitch marker (even just a small piece of contrasting yarn) to mark the first stitch of each round so you always know where you are.

Ribbon can be a little slippery compared to regular yarn, especially if it has a silky finish. Take your time with each stitch and keep your tension consistent. If you find the ribbon bunching or twisting, simply untwist it gently before pulling it through. A slightly twisted ribbon actually adds a lovely textural detail to the finished piece, so do not stress about it too much.

If you are using a fabric ribbon or cut strips from fabric, you may want to lightly press them with an iron first to flatten the edges, which makes crocheting much easier.

The Free Crochet Pattern

Part One: The Base

Start with a magic ring. If you have never done a magic ring before, here is a quick walkthrough: wrap the ribbon around two of your fingers so you have a loop, then insert your hook through the loop, pull up a loop of ribbon, and chain one to secure it. You will crochet your first round of stitches into this loop, then pull the tail to close the center hole.

Round 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull the tail to close the center. Place your stitch marker in the last stitch of the round. (6 stitches)

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

Round 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) around. (24 stitches)

Round 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) around. (30 stitches)

By the end of Round 5, you should have a flat circle that measures approximately 4 to 4.5 inches across. If it is curling upward instead of lying flat, your tension is too tight — try loosening up slightly or moving to a larger hook. If it is ruffling or fanning out, your tension is too loose, so try a smaller hook.

Part Two: The Sides

This is where the basket starts to take shape. The trick to making the sides go straight up rather than continuing to expand outward is to work in the back loop only for the first round of the sides. This creates a defined edge between the base and the walls.

Round 6 (BLO): Sc in the back loop only of every stitch around. (30 stitches)

This round will feel a little different because you are only catching one loop of the stitch instead of two, but it gets the job done and creates a crisp corner.

Rounds 7 through 12: Sc in both loops of every stitch around. (30 stitches per round)

Continue until your basket reaches the depth you want. Six rounds of sides typically gives you about 3 to 3.5 inches of depth, which is just right for a small plant pot. If you want a deeper basket, simply add more rounds here.

Part Three: The Top Edge

The top edge gives the basket a finished look and provides structure. It also creates the anchor points for your hanging cords.

Round 13: Sl st in each stitch around. Finish off and weave in your end.

Alternatively, for a decorative edge, you can work a simple picot edge or a row of reverse single crochet (crab stitch) around the top. Both add visual interest without requiring much additional ribbon.

Part Four: Attaching the Hanging Cords

Cut three pieces of hanging cord, each about 12 inches long. Fold each piece in half.

Evenly space three points around the top edge of the basket — imagine them at 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock, and 8 o’clock positions. At each of these points, insert your crochet hook through two or three stitches from the inside of the basket toward the outside, hook the folded midpoint of the cord, and pull a small loop through to the inside. Pass the ends of the cord through this loop and pull snug. This is the same technique as a larks head knot used in macramé, and it makes a very secure attachment.

Once all three cords are attached, gather the ends together at the top. You can tie them in a simple overhand knot, thread them through a bead or ring for a polished look, or braid them together for a few inches before tying off. Leave a loop at the top for hanging.

Tips for Choosing Your Ribbon

The ribbon you choose has a big impact on the final character of the basket, and it is worth thinking about before you begin.

A matte cotton ribbon gives a natural, earthy look that works beautifully with botanical decor. It is also the most forgiving to crochet with, since it grips the hook and does not slip. This is a great choice for beginners.

A satin or polyester ribbon creates a more polished, glam aesthetic with a gentle sheen. It is a little trickier to work with because of the slipperiness, but the results are stunning. Try this version for a gift basket or a bedroom accent.

A jute or burlap ribbon has a rustic, textured quality and is wonderful for a farmhouse or cottagecore-inspired space. It is stiff enough that the basket holds its shape very well on its own.

A recycled fabric strip — cut from an old t-shirt, cotton bed sheet, or denim — is a zero-cost option that also gives the basket real personality. T-shirt yarn, as this material is often called, is incredibly popular in the crochet community and produces a basket with a wonderfully chunky, casual look.

You can also mix two different ribbons together, holding one strand of each at the same time as you crochet. A cotton ribbon held alongside a thin metallic thread creates a beautiful effect with subtle sparkle.

How to Use Your Hanging Basket

Once your basket is finished and hanging, the possibilities are genuinely delightful. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

Plants: This is the most popular use, and for good reason. A small succulent or air plant in a simple terracotta pot drops right into the basket and looks effortlessly styled. If you want to use the basket for a plant with trailing vines, skip the pot entirely and nestle a small clump of moss and soil directly into the basket, lining it first with a small piece of plastic or a moss liner to protect the crochet.

Bathroom storage: Hang the basket near the sink or in the shower to hold small soaps, a loofah, or a few hair ties. Ribbon yarn that is made from cotton or nylon holds up well in humid environments, though it is a good idea to let it dry out periodically.

Craft room organization: Hang several baskets at different heights to hold scissors, pens, small balls of yarn, or embroidery floss. A cluster of three or five baskets in complementary ribbon colors makes a genuinely stunning wall installation.

Seasonal decor: Fill the basket with small ornaments during the holidays, dried flowers in the spring, or small gourds and pinecones in the autumn. The basket itself is neutral enough to work with almost any seasonal color palette.

Children’s room accent: Use a soft pastel ribbon and fill the basket with a small stuffed animal or a few favorite small toys. Hang it at a height the child can reach, and it doubles as a display and a storage solution.

Caring for Your Basket

Most ribbon yarn and decorative ribbon can be gently hand-washed with mild soap and cool water. Reshape the basket while it is damp and allow it to air dry completely before putting it back up. Avoid wringing or twisting it, as this can distort the shape.

If you used a delicate or dry-clean-only ribbon, it is best to spot-clean the basket with a damp cloth rather than fully submerging it.

Over time, especially if the basket is holding a plant, the bottom may stretch slightly from the weight. If this happens, simply wet the basket lightly and reshape it, allowing it to dry in the correct form.

Variations to Try

Once you have made one basket, it is very hard to stop at just one. Here are a few variations that use the same basic pattern with small adjustments.

For a wider, shallower basket, increase through Round 7 instead of stopping increases at Round 5, then work only three or four rounds of sides. This creates a more bowl-like shape that works beautifully for holding fruit, keys, or a candle.

For a taller, narrower basket, stop your increases at Round 4 (24 stitches) and then work more side rounds — ten to twelve instead of six. This produces a slender, elegant cylinder that is perfect for a single bud vase or a collection of pens.

For a lidded version, make two flat circles following the base pattern and stitch them together around the edges, leaving one side open to create a flap. A small button and loop closure finishes it off.

For a set of three, make one basket in each size — small, medium, and large — using the same ribbon but with slightly different accent colors for the hanging cords. Hung together at staggered heights, they create a cohesive but dynamic wall display.

A Few Final Thoughts

Crochet has a way of making you slow down in the best possible way. There is something genuinely calming about working through rounds of single crochet while a basket gradually takes shape in your hands. The ribbon adds a tactile pleasure that regular yarn does not quite replicate — the smoothness under your fingers, the way the stitches fan out into something that almost looks woven.

This small hanging basket is one of those projects that rewards you quickly. From start to finish, including attaching the cords, you can have a finished basket in two to three hours, which makes it a perfect evening project or a satisfying way to spend a rainy afternoon. It also makes a beautiful handmade gift — something personal and practical that almost anyone would be happy to receive.

If you make this pattern, consider documenting your finished basket and sharing it with the crochet community. Seeing what other people do with the same basic pattern — the ribbon colors they choose, the way they style their baskets, the creative uses they find for them — is one of the real joys of sharing patterns online.

Happy crocheting, and may your basket find the perfect sunny corner to hang in.