Knit Hanging Basket Free Knitting Patterns
There is something deeply satisfying about making your own home décor, especially when the finished piece is both beautiful and functional. Knitted hanging baskets have become one of the most popular DIY home projects in recent years, and for good reason. They add warmth and texture to any room, they hold everything from trailing plants to yarn stash overflows, and the best part is that you can find wonderful free knitting patterns to make them at every skill level. Whether you are a complete beginner picking up needles for the first time or a seasoned knitter looking for your next weekend project, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about knitting your own hanging baskets.
Why Knit a Hanging Basket?
Before we dive into the patterns themselves, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why knitted hanging baskets deserve a spot in your project queue. Store-bought hanging planters and storage baskets are everywhere, but they tend to be made from mass-produced materials that look the same in every home. A hand-knitted basket carries your personal touch — your yarn choices, your tension, your creativity.
Practically speaking, knitted hanging baskets are incredibly versatile. You can scale them up or down by adjusting your yarn weight and needle size. You can knit them in neutral tones to blend into a minimalist aesthetic, or go bold with variegated colorwork that becomes a statement piece in its own right. They are perfect for holding small succulents, air plants, trailing pothos, and other lightweight plants, and they work equally well as storage for odds and ends in a bathroom, kitchen, or living room.
Knitting a hanging basket is also a fantastic stash-busting project. If you have accumulated odds and ends of bulky or super bulky yarn that are not quite enough for a sweater or blanket, a hanging basket is the ideal way to put them to good use. The projects tend to work up quickly, especially when you use chunky yarn and large needles, which makes them enormously gratifying even for knitters who normally prefer slower, more intricate work.
Understanding the Basics Before You Begin
If you are new to knitting or new to three-dimensional knitting projects, a little groundwork goes a long way. Hanging baskets are typically worked in the round, which means you will be using either double-pointed needles, a short circular needle, or the magic loop method with a longer circular needle. The body of the basket is almost always knitted in the round to create a seamless tube or cup shape, and the base is either worked flat and seamed or worked in the round using increases to build out from a central point.
The hanging cord is usually a separate element, either braided or twisted from the yarn itself, or crocheted for extra structure. Some patterns incorporate the hanging loops directly into the knitting, which gives the basket a beautifully integrated look.
When it comes to yarn choice, this is one project where fiber content really matters. A plant hanging basket will be exposed to moisture from watering, so cotton, linen, or other plant-based fibers are a smart choice. They are sturdy, washable, and they will not stretch out of shape when damp the way wool or acrylic can. For dry storage baskets, almost any yarn works well, though stiffer fibers like cotton or jute will give you a more structured shape, while softer wools will create a drapier, softer basket.
Gauge is less critical for a basket than it would be for a garment, but it still matters. A tighter gauge will give you a denser fabric that holds its shape better, while a looser gauge creates a more open, airy mesh that is lovely for displaying plants but less ideal for storing small items that might fall through the holes. As a general rule, try going down a needle size from what the yarn label recommends to get a firmer fabric.
Simple Beginner Knit Hanging Basket Pattern
This is a wonderful starting point for anyone new to knitting in the round or new to basket projects. It uses basic knit stitches and works up in just a few hours with bulky weight yarn.
Materials needed: Approximately 100 yards of bulky weight cotton yarn (size 5 or 6), a set of US size 10 double-pointed needles or a 16-inch circular needle, a tapestry needle, scissors, and a large button or wooden ring for hanging.
Gauge: Approximately 12 stitches and 16 rows to 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Instructions: Begin by casting on 8 stitches and dividing them evenly across your needles. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Round 1: Knit into the front and back of every stitch — you will have 16 stitches. Round 2: Knit all stitches. Round 3: Knit into the front and back of every other stitch — you will have 24 stitches. Round 4: Knit all stitches. Round 5: Knit into the front and back of every third stitch — you will have 32 stitches. Rounds 6 and 7: Knit all stitches. Round 8: Knit into the front and back of every fourth stitch — you will have 40 stitches. Rounds 9 through 20: Knit all stitches. This forms the body of your basket.
Once you have completed round 20, begin working the decreases. Round 21: Knit two together, knit two, and repeat this sequence around. Round 22: Knit all stitches. Round 23: Knit two together, knit one, and repeat around. Round 24: Knit all stitches. Round 25: Knit two together all the way around. Break yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread the tail through remaining stitches and pull tight to close.
For the hanging cord, cut six strands of yarn each about 60 inches long. Fold them in half and attach the folded midpoint securely to the top edge of the basket in three evenly spaced points, then braid or twist the strands up to a central knot above the basket. Thread through a wooden ring and knot securely to hang.
Intermediate Textured Knit Basket Pattern
Once you are comfortable with the basics, a textured pattern adds visual interest without requiring significantly more skill. Seed stitch and moss stitch are both wonderful choices for hanging baskets because they create a fabric that lies flat without curling and has a lovely rustic, artisan look.
Materials needed: Approximately 150 yards of DK or worsted weight cotton or linen yarn, US size 6 or 7 circular needles (16-inch length), stitch markers, tapestry needle, and three lengths of leather cord or macramé rope for hanging.
The seed stitch pattern alternates knit and purl stitches, and then on the next row you do the opposite — you knit the purls and purl the knits. When working in the round, this means you will knit one, purl one in the first round, then purl one, knit one in the second round, and continue alternating in this way.
Begin by casting on 60 stitches and joining to work in the round. Work seed stitch for 4 inches. Then switch to stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 3 inches to form the base of the basket. Close the base by working a series of decreases as described in the beginner pattern above, pulling the remaining stitches tight and weaving in your end.
Attach three lengths of leather cord or macramé rope at equally spaced points around the top opening of the basket, each about 36 inches long. Gather them up and knot them together about 18 inches above the basket to create a natural-looking hanging structure. This style of hanging basket is particularly beautiful for succulent arrangements or small air plants.
Open Mesh Knit Plant Hanger Pattern
A mesh or lace-style knitting pattern is perfect for showcasing a beautiful pot or planter inside your basket, since the open fabric lets the color of the pot show through while still providing secure support. This style works beautifully with thinner yarn and smaller needles for a delicate, boho look.
Materials needed: Approximately 200 yards of fingering or sport weight cotton yarn, US size 3 or 4 needles, and a crochet hook for creating the cord (optional).
The mesh pattern is created by alternating yarn overs with knit two together decreases, which adds a stitch and removes a stitch at the same time to maintain consistent stitch count while creating open eyelets. On alternate rounds, you knit all stitches.
Cast on 48 stitches and join in the round. Work the mesh pattern as follows: Round 1: Yarn over, knit two together, and repeat around. Round 2: Knit all stitches. Repeat these two rounds until your piece measures 6 inches. Then work a solid stockinette section for 2 inches before closing the base with decreases.
The result is a light, airy basket with a handmade lace quality that is especially striking when it holds a terracotta pot with a trailing plant. The open mesh also allows air circulation, which is beneficial for the plant inside.
Tips for Customizing Your Knit Hanging Basket
One of the greatest pleasures of making your own hanging baskets is the freedom to personalize every element. Here are some ideas for making each basket uniquely your own.
Color: Stripes are an easy way to add visual interest. Simply change yarn color at the beginning of a new round, carrying the unused color loosely up the inside of the basket. For a more complex colorwork effect, simple two-color stranded knitting around the body of the basket can be stunning, particularly with geometric or Nordic-inspired motifs.
Size: The patterns above can easily be scaled. For a smaller basket suited to a tiny succulent or air plant, reduce your cast-on stitches by a third and work fewer rounds in the body. For a larger basket that can hold a medium-sized plant pot or serve as a storage bin, increase your starting stitch count and use heavier yarn on larger needles. The math scales proportionally, and because gauge is not critical, you have a lot of flexibility.
Texture: Beyond seed stitch and mesh, consider experimenting with cable panels on the body of the basket, which add three-dimensional texture and visual drama, or with simple garter stitch ridges, which create a striped effect through texture alone without changing yarn color.
The hanging structure: This element has more design potential than it might initially seem. A single long braided cord that supports the basket from one central point creates a minimalist look. Three or four cords attached at equal intervals around the rim look more traditional and macramé-inspired. You can use the knitting yarn itself, contrasting yarn, leather cord, natural rope, or even strips of fabric for a truly eclectic look.
Embellishments: Small knitted leaves, flowers, or pompoms attached to the body or hanging cords add a whimsical, handmade charm. If you are knitting a basket as a gift, a small knitted tag with the recipient’s initial is a thoughtful finishing touch.
Caring for Your Knit Hanging Basket
A well-made knitted hanging basket can last for years with proper care. For baskets holding plants, it is worth protecting the inside of the basket from direct moisture. You can do this by placing a small piece of plastic — cut from a produce bag, for example — inside the basket under the pot, or by using pots with saucers. If your basket does get wet, take the pot out and allow the basket to dry flat away from direct sunlight before re-hanging it, as wet knitted fabric under tension can stretch and lose its shape.
For dry storage baskets, occasional hand washing in cool water with a gentle detergent is all you need. Reshape the basket while damp and allow it to air dry fully before using it again.
Cotton and linen baskets may be machine washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag, which makes them very practical for everyday use.
Finding More Free Knitting Patterns Online
The patterns in this guide are a starting point, but the internet is wonderfully full of free resources for knitters of all levels. Ravelry is the largest online knitting community in the world and has thousands of free basket and plant hanger patterns available to download, sortable by difficulty level, yarn weight, and other useful filters. Many independent designers post free patterns on their blogs or through their social media channels, and YouTube has a wealth of video tutorials that walk you through every step in real time, which is particularly helpful if you are learning to knit in the round for the first time.
Pinterest is another excellent resource for discovering free patterns, as knitters and designers regularly share their projects and link back to the original patterns. A simple search for “free knit hanging basket pattern” will return hundreds of ideas at every skill level and aesthetic.
When downloading any free pattern, it is always good practice to read through the entire pattern before you begin knitting, make sure you have all the required materials, and swatch if the finished dimensions matter. Even for a project as forgiving as a basket, reading ahead helps you anticipate any tricky steps and ensures a smoother, more enjoyable knitting experience.
A Final Word
Knitting a hanging basket is one of those projects that rewards you doubly — once in the peaceful, meditative process of making it, and again every day when you see it hanging in your home, full of greenery or the small things that make a house feel lived-in and loved. The free patterns available to today’s knitters are genuinely excellent, varied, and accessible, and there has never been a better time to pick up needles and make something beautiful for your home. Whether you choose a quick bulky yarn project for a Saturday afternoon or a more refined linen basket that takes a week of evenings, you will end up with something that no shop-bought basket can match — something made by hand, made with care, and made exactly the way you wanted it.
