2 in 1 Yarn Storage Bucket: A Free Crochet Pattern by Nicole Riley

If you’ve been crocheting for any length of time, you know the struggle. Yarn gets tangled, half-finished skeins pile up on every surface, and before long your craft room looks like a colorful, woolly explosion. What if you could solve your storage problem and create something beautiful at the same time? That’s exactly what this 2 in 1 Yarn Storage Bucket pattern by Nicole Riley is designed to do. This clever, functional, and genuinely adorable crochet project gives you not just one but two usable containers from a single pattern — perfect for organizing your stash, tidying up a nursery, holding kitchen essentials, or displaying plants on a sunny windowsill.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for a confidence-building project or an experienced crocheter wanting something satisfying to work up on a weekend afternoon, this pattern has something for everyone. Read on for the full pattern, helpful tips, material suggestions, and ideas for how to use your finished buckets once they’re done.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

There’s something deeply satisfying about a project that does double duty. The 2 in 1 Yarn Storage Bucket pattern creates two nested buckets that fit neatly inside each other or stand alone as individual pieces. The outer bucket is larger and sturdier, while the inner bucket is a slightly smaller companion that tucks right inside. Together they make a tidy nesting set; apart, they function beautifully on their own.

The design uses a clean, structured stitch pattern that gives each bucket firm, upright walls. No floppy sides here. The finished pieces actually hold their shape, which makes them genuinely useful rather than decorative-only. You can fill them with yarn, remote controls, craft supplies, baby toys, succulents, or anything else your heart desires.

Nicole Riley, the designer behind this pattern, has a gift for creating patterns that are both practical and visually appealing. This particular design reflects her thoughtful approach to functional crochet — pieces that earn their place in a home because they look good and actually get used every single day.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you cast on, gather your supplies. Having everything ready before you start makes the whole process more enjoyable and keeps you from losing momentum mid-project.

Yarn: You’ll want a sturdy, medium-weight yarn for this project. A Size 4 worsted weight or a chunky Size 5 yarn both work well depending on the size of bucket you want to create. Cotton yarn is an especially popular choice because it holds its shape beautifully and comes in a rainbow of colors. Brands like Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK, or Paintbox Simply Chunky are all excellent options. If you want a softer finish, a cotton-acrylic blend works well too. For both buckets combined, plan on approximately 300 to 500 yards depending on your yarn weight and finished dimensions.

Hook: Use the hook size recommended on your yarn label as a starting point, but for these buckets you generally want to go down one hook size from the recommendation. A tighter gauge creates firmer walls that stand up on their own. For worsted weight yarn, a 4.0mm or 4.5mm hook works well. For chunky yarn, try a 5.0mm or 5.5mm hook.

Stitch marker: At least one, though a few extras are always helpful. You’ll use these to mark the beginning of each round so you don’t lose your place.

Scissors and a yarn needle: Essential finishing tools. A sharp tapestry needle makes weaving in ends much easier, especially on cotton yarns.

Optional stiffener: If you want particularly rigid walls, a light application of liquid starch or fabric stiffener after finishing will give your buckets an almost architectural firmness. This is especially useful if you’re using a softer yarn that tends to slouch.

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge matters more for these buckets than you might expect, because the structure of the piece depends on a consistent tension. Work a small gauge swatch before starting and adjust your hook size as needed.

With worsted weight yarn on a 4.5mm hook, aim for approximately 14 stitches and 16 rows per 4 inches in single crochet.

The finished dimensions for the larger outer bucket are approximately 7 inches in diameter and 6 inches tall. The inner bucket finishes at approximately 5.5 inches in diameter and 4.5 inches tall. These measurements can vary depending on your yarn weight and gauge, which gives you some flexibility to size up or down for different purposes.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology throughout.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
sc2tog — single crochet two together (decrease)
st — stitch
BLO — back loop only
MR — magic ring (also called magic circle)
rnd — round

Pattern Instructions: Outer Bucket

Base

Begin with a magic ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring, sl st to join. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, repeat from to around, sl st to join. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (30 sts)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 4 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (36 sts)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 5 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (42 sts)

Rnd 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 6 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (48 sts)

You should now have a flat circle with 48 stitches around the edge.

Sides

Rnd 9: Ch 1, working in BLO, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (48 sts) — This round creates the sharp angle that transitions the base into the walls of the bucket.

Rnd 10–25: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (48 sts each round)

Continue working even in sc for rounds 10 through 25, working through both loops as normal. This is approximately 15 to 16 rounds of straight walls. At this point your outer bucket should measure roughly 6 inches in height. If you want a taller bucket, simply add more rounds here before finishing.

Rim

Rnd 26: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (48 sts)
Rnd 27: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (48 sts)

For a more defined rim edge, you can work the final round in reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch), which creates a neat, decorative cord-like border along the top. This is optional but adds a lovely polished finish.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Pattern Instructions: Inner Bucket

The inner bucket follows the same construction method but is worked with fewer increase rounds to create the smaller diameter.

Base

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into magic ring, sl st to join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, repeat around, sl st to join. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in each of next 4 sts, repeat around, sl st to join. (36 sts)

Sides

Rnd 7: Ch 1, working in BLO, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (36 sts)

Rnd 8–19: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (36 sts each round)

Work even for approximately 12 rounds to achieve a finished height of around 4.5 inches.

Rim

Rnd 20–21: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. (36 sts)

Finish with a reverse single crochet round if desired, then fasten off and weave in ends.

Tips for Success

Tension is everything. The single most important factor in making these buckets stand upright is tight, consistent tension. If your stitches are loose, the walls will be floppy. Don’t be afraid to use a hook that feels a bit snug with your yarn — this is one of those patterns where going down a hook size makes a real difference.

Use a stitch marker from round one. It’s easy to lose track of where rounds begin and end in continuous crochet, and once you’re a few inches up the wall of a bucket it becomes genuinely difficult to count back. Place a marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you go.

The BLO round matters. Working round 9 (or round 7 for the inner bucket) through the back loop only creates that crisp corner where the base meets the side. Don’t skip it or work through both loops — it changes the shape of the finished piece.

Block if needed. If your finished bucket isn’t as round or as upright as you’d like, wet blocking can help. Soak the bucket in cool water, squeeze out the excess (don’t wring), and shape it around a jar, can, or bowl of the appropriate size. Let it dry completely before using.

Color play. These buckets look fantastic in a single solid color, but they’re also a wonderful canvas for colorwork. Try working the base in one color and switching to a contrasting color for the sides, or use a self-striping yarn for a playful effect. Striped walls made by switching colors every two rounds give a classic, graphic look that works beautifully in modern interiors.

Creative Ways to Use Your Finished Buckets

Once you’ve crocheted your two buckets, the fun part begins: figuring out how to use them. The 2 in 1 design means you have options.

Nested yarn storage. This is the original use case, and it’s a brilliant one. Keep your active project yarn in the inner bucket and store extra skeins or tools in the outer bucket. The inner bucket lifts right out when you need it, and everything stays tidy and contained. No more yarn rolling across the floor or getting tangled under furniture.

Bathroom organization. These buckets are the perfect size for a bathroom counter. Use one for cotton rounds, hair ties, and small toiletries, and the other for a hand towel or facial cloths. They look far more intentional than a plastic cup or a random basket.

Plant pots. Crochet buckets with a sturdy structure make charming plant covers. Drop a plastic nursery pot inside the inner bucket to protect the crochet from moisture, and set the whole thing inside the larger outer bucket for a layered, textured look. Succulents, trailing pothos, or small ferns all look stunning peeking out from a hand-crocheted cotton bucket.

Kitchen storage. Set them on a kitchen shelf to hold packets of tea, small spice jars, or snack bars. The nested design is especially useful here — the larger bucket can hold the everyday items you reach for most, and the smaller inner bucket holds the overflow or a separate category of things.

Gift presentation. Fill both buckets with thoughtful gifts — yarn and crochet hooks for a crafter, candles and bath products for a self-care lover, kitchen tools and a recipe card for a new homeowner — and present the whole set as a single layered gift. The buckets become part of the gift itself, and the recipient gets something they’ll actually keep and use.

Toy storage for little ones. Parents and grandparents will love this application. A set of nested crochet buckets in bright colors makes an adorable addition to a nursery or playroom. Small wooden toys, board book corners, stuffed animal accessories, or art supplies fit perfectly inside, and the soft material is gentle and safe for curious little hands.

Customizing the Pattern

One of the best things about a simple structural pattern like this is how easy it is to modify. Once you understand the logic of the base increases and the side walls, you can adjust almost any dimension.

For a wider, shallower bucket, work more increase rounds in the base and fewer straight rounds in the sides. For a taller, narrower bucket, do the opposite — fewer base increases and more straight wall rounds. Want a tiny desk organizer? Work just 4 or 5 base increase rounds and 8 to 10 side rounds. Want a large toy bin? Use chunky or super bulky yarn with a larger hook and add several additional base increase rounds.

You can also add handles for a more traditional basket look. Work a chain of 15 to 20 stitches at two points across the rim, skip the equivalent number of stitches in the rim round, and work single crochet back across the chain on the next round to create a sturdy loop handle on each side.

Embellishments like surface slip stitch lines, sewn-on flowers, woven ribbon through the top rounds, or simple embroidered initials can personalize these buckets and make them feel completely your own.

Sharing Your Makes

If you make this pattern, Nicole would love to see what you create. Share your finished buckets on Instagram or Pinterest and tag the original pattern so other crafters can find it. The crochet community is one of the most generous and enthusiastic creative communities around, and there’s always a new crocheter somewhere looking for exactly the project you just finished. Your finished make might be the thing that inspires someone to pick up their hook for the first time, or to finally tackle a project they’ve been putting off.

Leaving a comment with your finished dimensions, yarn choices, or any modifications you made is also a wonderful way to give back to the pattern community. Real-world notes from people who’ve actually worked a pattern are invaluable, and makers who find the pattern later will thank you for it.

Final Thoughts

The 2 in 1 Yarn Storage Bucket pattern by Nicole Riley is one of those designs that earns a permanent place in your pattern library. It’s straightforward enough that you can work on it while watching a movie or listening to a podcast, but the finished result feels polished and purposeful. The two-bucket format solves a real organizational problem in a beautiful, handmade way, and the versatility of the finished pieces means they’ll find a useful home in almost any room of the house.

Whether you make them in crisp white cotton for a minimalist kitchen shelf, cheerful rainbow stripes for a child’s room, or deep earthy tones for a cozy living room corner, these buckets will be a project you come back to again and again — as gifts, as stash-busters, and as one of those genuinely satisfying makes that reminds you exactly why you love to crochet.

Happy hooking!