Cushy Crochet Cube Storage Bin Tutorial
If you’ve been looking for a project that combines satisfying texture, practical function, and that irresistible handmade charm, this Cushy Crochet Cube Storage Bin is exactly what you need to put on your hook next. These bins are soft, sturdy, and sized to fit perfectly inside standard cube shelving units like the IKEA Kallax — making them one of those rare crochet projects that looks gorgeous and actually earns its place in your home. Whether you’re organizing a nursery, a craft room, a living room, or a kid’s playroom, these bins pull double duty as décor and storage, and they’re endlessly customizable with your favorite yarn colors.
This tutorial is written for crocheters who have a solid grasp of the basics — single crochet, working in the round, and increasing and decreasing — but even if you’re relatively new to the craft, the stitch pattern here is straightforward enough that you can absolutely tackle it with a little patience. The “cushy” factor comes from the yarn weight and the tight stitch tension that creates a fabric firm enough to hold its shape when the bin is filled.
Let’s get into everything you need to know before picking up your hook.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything on hand before you start will make the process much smoother.
Yarn: You’ll need a bulky weight yarn (size 5 or 6) in the color or colors of your choice. A good rule of thumb is to plan for approximately 400–500 yards for a standard cube bin, though this can vary depending on your tension and the exact dimensions you’re going for. Cotton, acrylic, or a cotton-acrylic blend all work beautifully for this project. Cotton gives you a stiffer, more structured fabric, while acrylic tends to be softer and more flexible. If you want maximum structure, look for a yarn labeled “chunky” or “bulky” with a tight twist.
Hook: A size 6.0mm (J/10) or 6.5mm (K/10.5) crochet hook. You may need to adjust based on your personal tension — the finished fabric should be dense enough that you can’t easily see through the stitches.
Stitch markers: These are helpful for marking the beginning of each round, especially once you get several rounds in and the fabric starts to look uniform.
Scissors and a yarn needle: For weaving in ends.
Optional: A stiff plastic canvas or a piece of foam board cut to size for the bottom of the bin, which helps it keep its square shape and sit flat on a shelf.
Gauge
Gauge matters more in this project than in something like a shawl or a hat, because you’re aiming for a bin that actually fits inside a cube shelf. Standard cube shelves have an interior opening of approximately 13 inches by 13 inches, so your finished bin should measure around 11 to 12 inches square and 11 to 12 inches tall (leaving a little wiggle room for easy removal).
For this pattern, aim for approximately 11 stitches and 13 rows in a 4-inch square using single crochet and your chosen hook. Crochet a gauge swatch and wash it before measuring, since some yarns shrink slightly. If your gauge is off, adjust your hook size accordingly — go up a hook size if your swatch is too small, and down a size if it’s too large.
Abbreviations and Stitches Used
Throughout this tutorial, the following standard US crochet abbreviations are used:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
inc = increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
dec = decrease (sc2tog: single crochet two stitches together)
BLO = back loop only
st = stitch
rnd = round
The primary stitch used throughout this pattern is single crochet. The base is worked flat in rows to create a square, and then the sides are worked continuously in the round. Working in the back loop only (BLO) for the first round of the sides creates a crisp, clean fold at the base — this is what gives the bin its structured look and sharp corners.
Pattern Notes
This bin is worked in two parts: the flat square base, and the sides worked in the round upward from the base. You can also choose to work the entire bin in the round from the beginning using a magic ring and increasing outward as you would for a flat circle, then transitioning to the sides — but the flat-base method described here tends to give a cleaner square shape that sits better on a shelf.
If you want a two-toned bin, this is a great project for color changes. You can switch colors at any round you like when working the sides, carrying the unused color along the inside of the bin or cutting and rejoining as you prefer.
Working tightly is key. This is not the time to crochet with a relaxed grip. A dense, tight fabric is what gives the bin its structure and lets it stand upright when it’s filled. If your bin feels floppy, try going down a hook size.
The Pattern
Part One: The Base
Start by chaining 31.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. (30 sc) Turn.
Rows 2–30: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (30 sc) Turn.
After completing Row 30, you should have a square piece of fabric. If it isn’t quite square — meaning it’s slightly more rectangular — add or remove rows until the width and length match. Fasten off and do not cut the yarn; you’ll be joining to work the sides.
Part Two: The Sides
Now you’ll work around all four edges of the base to begin the sides of the bin. Join your yarn at any corner of the base with a standing single crochet (or simply ch 1 after your sl st join).
Joining Round: Work 30 sc across the top edge of the base, 3 sc in the corner stitch, 30 sc down the side, 3 sc in the corner, 30 sc across the bottom, 3 sc in the corner, 30 sc up the remaining side, 3 sc in the last corner, then sl st to join to the first sc of the round. Do not turn; you’ll be working in the round from here.
Round 1 (BLO): Ch 1, working in BLO only, sc in each st and 3 sc in each corner st around. Sl st to join. (This creates the crisp corner fold.)
Rounds 2 through the end: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join. Do not increase at the corners from this point forward; work straight up with the same stitch count in every round.
Continue working even rounds of single crochet until the sides of your bin measure approximately 11 to 12 inches tall, or until you’re happy with the height. The bin in the photos uses 30 rounds for the sides, but you can adjust this number based on your gauge and your yarn.
For the final round, sl st in each stitch around the top edge for a clean, tidy finish. This gives the rim a slightly more polished look and a little extra firmness. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Optional Handles
Handles are optional but make a world of difference when you’re pulling a heavy bin out from a shelf. To add handles, identify the center of two opposite sides (the front and back of the bin). Skip 4 stitches at the center of each side, then chain enough stitches to span those 4 skipped stitches plus whatever additional length you’d like for the handle. Attach the chain to the stitch on the other side of the gap, and work back and forth over the chain in single crochet for 2–3 rows to build up the handle thickness. Fasten off and sew the ends securely to the bin body. Alternatively, you can crochet a small rectangular strap separately and sew it to the outside of the bin on each side — this tends to be easier for beginners.
Finishing and Blocking
Once your bin is complete and all ends are woven in, it’s time to block it. For an acrylic yarn, wet blocking works well — soak the bin in cool water for about 20 minutes, then gently press out the excess water (don’t wring it) and reshape it into a square. Stuff the bin with a trash bag or a box of the right dimensions to help it hold its shape while it dries, and leave it overnight.
For cotton yarn, you can also steam block for a crisper result.
If you’re using the optional plastic canvas or foam board for the bottom, cut a square to fit snugly inside the base of the bin and place it inside before you start using it. This keeps the base flat even when the bin is heavily loaded.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this pattern is how much room there is to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity.
Color blocking: Work the base in one color and the sides in another. Or alternate rounds of two colors for a striped effect. Stripes are particularly effective with a bold contrast, like cream and rust, navy and natural, or dusty pink and ivory.
Texture variation: Once you’re comfortable with the basic pattern, try swapping out some of the plain single crochet rounds for a textured stitch like a linen stitch, moss stitch, or even a simple basket weave. These add visual interest without significantly changing the structure.
Embellishments: A simple sc or slip stitch monogram worked on the front of the bin makes a sweet personalized touch, especially for nursery storage. You can also sew on felt letters, wooden buttons, or fabric flowers after the fact.
Size variations: Love the pattern but need a smaller bin for craft supplies, or a taller bin for umbrellas and baseball bats? Simply adjust your starting chain and the number of rows or rounds accordingly. The math stays the same — you’re just scaling up or down.
Tips for Getting Clean Corners
The four corners of the bin are where beginners sometimes struggle, because it can be tempting to let them round out rather than staying sharp. Here are a few tricks to keep your corners looking crisp and cube-like.
Work the 3-increase corner stitches consistently — don’t skip them or reduce to 2 in the corners, or you’ll get a curved edge rather than a sharp one. After working the BLO transition round, resist the urge to add any more increases; working straight up without any shaping from that point forward is what keeps the walls perfectly vertical.
When blocking, pay special attention to pinning or propping the corners into right angles while the bin dries. Even a slightly rounded corner will tighten up considerably with proper blocking.
Finally, if your corners are still slouching after blocking, a few whipstitches through both layers at each corner — pulling them tight and knotting securely on the inside — can subtly reinforce the corner structure without being visible from the outside.
Yarn Substitution Notes
The yarn you choose will have a significant impact on how this bin looks and behaves. Here are a few notes on popular choices.
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is a fan favorite for this kind of project. It’s widely available, comes in an enormous range of colors, and gives a beautifully dense fabric at the right hook size. It’s an acrylic-wool blend, so it has a little more drape than a pure acrylic but still holds its shape well.
Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky is another excellent option, especially if you prefer a matte, slightly rustic look. It’s 100% acrylic and crochets up with a wonderful stitch definition.
For a more luxurious (and expensive) option, a cotton roving yarn like Wool and the Gang’s Billie Jean Yarn creates a stunning, slightly organic texture that’s right at home in a minimalist or boho-style room.
Whatever yarn you choose, make sure to check your gauge before diving into the full project — it will save you a lot of time and frustration.
How to Use and Care for Your Bin
These bins are surprisingly sturdy once finished, but a little care will keep them looking their best for years. For acrylic bins, machine washing on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag is generally fine, though avoid hot water or high heat in the dryer as this can cause felting or distortion. Air drying is always the safest option.
For cotton bins, machine washing is also usually fine, but be prepared for slight shrinkage after the first wash. This is actually an argument for making your bin just slightly larger than your target dimensions before washing, since it may tighten up to a perfect fit.
Avoid overloading the bin — while the fabric is sturdy, extremely heavy objects can stretch the stitches over time and cause the bin to lose its shape. These are ideal for lighter items like toys, yarn, linens, scarves, or books.
Final Thoughts
The Cushy Crochet Cube Storage Bin is one of those projects that feels as good to make as it looks to display. There’s something deeply satisfying about working with bulky yarn — the stitches grow quickly, the fabric has a lovely heft to it, and the finished object is immediately useful. Whether you make one bin in a neutral tone to blend into a shelf or a set of four in coordinating colors to brighten up an entire wall of storage, you’ll find yourself reaching for this pattern again and again.
The pattern is versatile enough to grow with you as your skills develop. Start with a single solid-color bin to get the hang of the structure, then experiment with color changes, texture swaps, and size variations on future makes. Once you’ve made a few, you’ll be able to crochet these almost on autopilot — which makes them a perfect project to take to crochet nights, road trips, or any situation where you want to keep your hands busy while still being present.
If you make this bin, share a photo — seeing all the variations people come up with is genuinely one of the most inspiring parts of sharing a pattern like this. Happy crocheting!
