Knit Basket Pattern {FREE!} – A Box of Twine

There is something deeply satisfying about knitting a basket. Unlike a sweater that takes months to finish or a pair of socks that requires careful attention to heel turns, a basket comes together quickly, holds its shape beautifully, and immediately earns its place in your home. This free knit basket pattern uses twine — yes, the kind that comes in a box — to create a sturdy, rustic container that looks like it belongs in a lifestyle magazine but costs almost nothing to make.

Whether you are brand new to knitting or have been casting on for decades, this pattern is approachable, satisfying, and endlessly customizable. And because we are working with twine rather than traditional yarn, you will end up with a finished object that holds its shape without any blocking, stiffening, or internal structure. The twine does all the work for you.

Let us get into everything you need to know, from materials to cast-on to that final satisfying bind-off.

Why Knit With Twine?

Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth spending a moment on why twine is such a fantastic material for knitted baskets.

Twine is typically made from natural fibers like jute, cotton, or sisal, which means it has wonderful structure and very little stretch. This is the opposite of what you want in a cozy hat or a pair of mittens, but it is exactly what you want in a basket. When you knit with twine, the resulting fabric is stiff, dense, and self-supporting. Your basket will stand up on its own without needing any armature, liner, or starch treatment.

Twine also has a beautiful, earthy texture that plays well with nearly every interior style. Whether your home leans toward boho, farmhouse, Scandinavian minimalist, or coastal cottage, a twine knit basket fits right in. You can fill it with rolled hand towels in the bathroom, yarn in the craft room, bread on the kitchen counter, or magazines in the living room. The uses are genuinely endless.

Another wonderful thing about twine is the price. A box of natural jute twine — the classic kind that comes wound inside a cardboard box with a little hole on top — costs just a few dollars and contains hundreds of yards. For a small basket, you may spend less than five dollars on materials entirely. For a larger basket, you might use two boxes. Either way, you are looking at a very budget-friendly project.

The one thing to be aware of is that twine can be rough on your hands, especially if you are used to working with soft wool or cotton. If you are sensitive to texture, wearing a thin pair of fingerless gloves while you knit can help, or simply take breaks and moisturize as you go.

Materials You Will Need

Here is a simple shopping list for this project. Most of these items you may already have on hand.

Twine: Natural jute twine, approximately 200 yards for a small basket or 400 yards for a medium basket. The classic “box of twine” style works perfectly. Look for a thickness somewhere between a DK weight and a worsted weight yarn — this is common for most household jute twine. Thinner twine can be held double if needed.

Needles: US size 10 (6mm) straight or circular knitting needles. Because we are knitting in the round for most of this pattern, a set of double-pointed needles or a short circular needle in size 10 will serve you best. If you are more comfortable knitting flat and seaming, straight needles work fine too.

Tapestry needle: For weaving in your ends.

Scissors: A sturdy pair, since twine is tougher than yarn.

Optional: Stitch markers to mark the beginning of your round.

Gauge: Approximately 14 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Because we are making a basket and not a fitted garment, gauge is flexible. A tighter gauge will produce a stiffer, smaller basket, and a looser gauge will produce a softer, larger one. Swatch if you like, but do not stress about it.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is written for a small round basket approximately 4 inches tall and 6 inches in diameter. Instructions for a medium basket (5 inches tall, 8 inches in diameter) are included in parentheses where they differ.

The basket is worked from the bottom up, starting with a flat circular base and then joining to work the sides in the round. The sides are worked in simple stockinette stitch, which means all knit stitches when working in the round. The top edge is finished with a round of single crochet or a simple bind-off — both options are included.

If you are new to knitting in the round or working increases, this pattern includes detailed explanations for each step.

Abbreviations used in this pattern:

CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, K2tog = knit two stitches together, M1 = make one increase, PM = place marker, SM = slip marker, RS = right side, WS = wrong side, St(s) = stitch(es), Rep = repeat.

The Pattern

Base

The base of this basket is worked flat, back and forth in rows, using a modified short-row construction that creates a circular shape. If you prefer, you can also start with a magic circle and work increases outward — instructions for both methods are included.

Flat Method:

CO 4 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.
Row 3: K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1. (6 sts)
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1. (8 sts)
Row 6: Purl across.

Continue in this manner, increasing 2 stitches every RS row (always at the first and last stitch), until you have 24 (32) stitches on your needles.

Work 4 (6) rows even in stockinette stitch, ending with a WS row.

Now begin decreasing:

Next RS row: K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. (22 (30) sts)
Next WS row: Purl across.

Continue decreasing in this manner until 4 stitches remain. Bind off and cut yarn, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Fold the base piece in half and use the tapestry needle to seam the cast-on edge to the bind-off edge, and the two short sides to each other. You will end up with a flat oval or circular shape. Set aside.

Magic Circle Method (for circular base):

Using the magic circle technique, CO 8 stitches and join to work in the round.

Round 1: Knit all stitches.
Round 2: (K1, M1) repeat to end of round. (16 sts)
Round 3: Knit all stitches.
Round 4: (K2, M1) repeat to end of round. (24 sts)
Round 5: Knit all stitches.
Round 6: (K3, M1) repeat to end of round. (32 sts)
Round 7: Knit all stitches.

For medium basket only:
Round 8: (K4, M1) repeat to end of round. (40 sts)
Round 9: Knit all stitches.

You should now have a flat circular disc. If it is cupping upward, your tension may be a bit tight, which is actually fine for a basket — it will flatten as you work the sides.

Sides

If you worked the flat base method, pick up stitches evenly around the outer edge of the base — approximately 48 (64) stitches. Join to work in the round and PM to mark the beginning.

If you used the magic circle method, you are already ready to begin the sides.

Both methods continue here:

Round 1 (turning round): Purl all stitches. This creates a crisp fold line between the base and the sides.

Rounds 2 through 20 (28 for medium): Knit all stitches.

That is it. The sides are just round after round of plain knitting. This is the beauty of working with twine — the material itself provides the texture and interest, so you do not need any complicated stitch patterns.

If you want to add a bit of visual interest to the sides, you can work a simple texture pattern like a two-by-two rib (K2, P2, repeat around) or a seed stitch (K1, P1, alternating each round). Both will still result in a sturdy basket.

Top Edge

You have two options for finishing the top edge.

Option 1: Simple Knitted Bind-Off

Work one round of purl stitches (this creates a folded edge). Then work two more rounds of knit stitches. Bind off loosely in knit.

Fold the top edge down to the inside and use your tapestry needle and tail to sew it in place. This creates a neat, finished rim.

Option 2: Single Crochet Edge

If you have basic crochet skills or want to try something new, a single crochet edging gives the basket a beautifully finished, professional look. Using a size J (6mm) crochet hook, join your twine to any stitch at the top of the basket and single crochet in each stitch around. Slip stitch to join, fasten off, and weave in your end.

Finishing

Weave in all ends using your tapestry needle. Because twine is not stretchy, it is especially important to weave the ends in securely — go back and forth through several stitches in different directions to anchor everything well. You can also add a small dab of fabric glue if you are worried about the ends working loose over time.

Give your basket a moment of admiration, because you just made a sturdy, beautiful home accessory from a box of twine.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about this pattern is how adaptable it is. Here are some ways to make it your own.

Change the size. To make a larger basket, simply increase your stitch count on the base and work more rounds on the sides. To make a smaller basket — perfect for holding a candle or succulent — decrease your stitch count and work fewer rounds. The math is very forgiving because twine is forgiving.

Add handles. To knit simple handles, pick up about 8 stitches at the top edge of the basket, work a narrow rectangle about 6 inches long in stockinette stitch, then re-attach it to the basket a few inches away. Two handles, one on each side, transforms the basket into a tote-style carrier.

Dye the twine. Natural jute takes color beautifully. You can use fabric dye, food coloring dissolved in hot water, or even strong tea and coffee for a subtle tonal effect. Dye before or after knitting — both work well.

Add fringe. Cut lengths of twine about 8 inches long and fold them in half. Use a crochet hook to pull the folded loop through a stitch at the base of the basket, then thread the two ends through the loop and pull snug. Work fringe all around the base for a boho-chic look.

Try colored twine. Natural twine is beautiful, but cotton twine comes in a rainbow of colors. Try striping two or three colors together for a graphic, modern look. Because twine has little stretch, carrying colors up the inside of the basket (without cutting) works very cleanly.

Line the basket. If you want to use your basket for small items like jewelry, keys, or dried herbs, sewing in a simple fabric lining prevents things from slipping through the knitted stitches. Use a circle of fabric for the base and a rectangle for the sides, fold the edges under, and hand stitch in place.

Troubleshooting

My basket is floppy and won’t stand up. This usually means your tension is too loose or your twine is too thin. Try going down a needle size or holding the twine double. You can also try wetting the finished basket and letting it dry in the desired shape — natural jute stiffens as it dries.

My basket is curling inward at the top. This is a normal tendency with stockinette stitch. The purl turning row at the base of the sides usually prevents curling at the bottom, but if the top is curling, the folded and sewn top edge or the crochet edging will solve the problem.

My twine keeps breaking. Some twine is more loosely spun than others and can snap if you pull too hard. Work with a gentler touch or try a different brand. Hardware store twine tends to be more tightly spun and durable than craft store twine.

I am getting blisters or rope burn on my fingers. Take breaks, wear thin gloves, and keep lotion nearby. Twine is rough. This is normal and gets better as your hands toughen up slightly.

What to Put In Your Knit Twine Basket

You went to all the trouble of making a beautiful basket — now what do you fill it with? Here are some ideas organized by room.

In the kitchen, a small twine basket makes a wonderful bread basket or a place to corral packets of salt, pepper, and oil near the stove. A larger basket is perfect for holding fresh garlic, onions, and potatoes in a cool, dark spot.

In the bathroom, stack rolled washcloths or hand towels inside for a spa-like display. A small basket beside the sink can hold soaps, cotton rounds, and hair ties.

In the living room, a medium basket beside the couch is the perfect home for the TV remotes that always seem to vanish. A larger floor basket works beautifully as a log holder beside the fireplace or a blanket storage spot.

In the nursery or children’s room, small baskets are wonderful for organizing board books, stuffed animals, or art supplies. The natural material is beautiful and non-toxic.

In the craft room or office, this is perhaps the most natural home for a twine basket — use it to hold your current knitting project, a collection of pens and scissors, or stacks of notebooks and notecards.

A Few Words About Twine Sources

You can find natural jute twine at almost any hardware store, grocery store, garden center, or big-box retailer. The classic ball or box of natural jute is usually the most economical option. Online, you can find twine in a wider range of thicknesses and colors, which opens up more possibilities for this pattern.

For a thicker, more substantial basket, look for macrame cord, which is essentially thick cotton twine. It is softer on the hands and creates a beautiful, chunky result. You may need to adjust your needle size up to a US 13 or 15 for thicker cord.

For a finer, more delicate look, linen twine or thin cotton kitchen twine creates a basket with a tighter stitch definition and a slightly more refined appearance. Go down to a US 8 needle for finer twine.

Final Thoughts

This free knit basket pattern proves that you do not need expensive materials or complicated techniques to make something genuinely beautiful and useful. A box of twine, a pair of needles you probably already own, and an afternoon of knitting are all it takes to create a handmade home accessory that will last for years.

Knitting with twine also connects you to a long tradition of fiber crafts that valued function as much as beauty. Baskets, nets, and bags made from natural cordage are among the oldest knitted or knotted objects in human history. When you cast on with that rough, earthy twine, you are part of something that goes back a very long way.

If you make this basket, share a photo — whether with a friend, in a knitting group, or on social media. There is something wonderful about seeing how different knitters interpret the same simple pattern. The variation in size, texture, color, and use is always inspiring.

Happy knitting, and enjoy every stitch.