Crochet Pattern: 'Inspire Me' Textured Basket

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So I made this cute basket for a Craft Fair coming up in a couple months. I kind of had an idea of what I wanted to make. But I couldn't find a pattern for exactly what I wanted. So, I made one up myself! And I am thrilled with how it has turned out. So, without further ado, here it is!

Materials:
4mm/G hook
worsted weight yarn in 4 colors, holding 2 strands at once
yarn needle

Terms:
MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
hdc = half double crochet
tc = triple crochet
blo = back loops only
fro = front loops only
rev = reverse

Pattern Guide:
hdc x 3 = put one half double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches
2hdc = put two half double crochets in the next stitch
tc puff st = (yarn over twice, put hook through front loop of previous row, yarn over, pull through 1, yarn over, pull through 2, yarn over, pull through 2) ← do this 3 times, then yarn over, and pull through 4 remaining loops
rev sc = (worked from left to right) insert hook in next st to the right, yarn over, pull through 1, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook

This pattern is worked very tight, so at times, it may feel like you need a bigger hook, but working this tight ensures that the basket will be more sturdy and not limp.

In row 15, the pattern is worked in the back loops only to create a lip on the basket. This makes the sides more defined from the base as opposed to just flowing from base to sides.

Finished Size: Approximately 8 ¾ inches tall and 9 ½ inches wide

Pattern:
1. Using Color A and holding 2 strands at once, sc 10 into MR, sl st to close (10)
2. ch 2, 2hdc in each st around, sl st to close (20)
3. ch 2, (hdc, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (30)
4. ch 2, (hdc x 2, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (40)
5. ch 2, (hdc x 3, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (50)
6. ch 2, (hdc x 4, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (60)
7. ch 2, (hdc x 5, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (70)
8. ch 2, (hdc x 6, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (80)
9. ch 2, (hdc x 7, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (90)
10. ch 2, (hdc x 8, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close (100)
11. ch 2, (hdc x 19, 2hdc) x 5, sl st to close (105)
12. ch 2, (hdc x 9, 2hdc, hdc x 10, 2hdc) x 5, sl st to close (115)
13. ch 2, hdc x 10, 2hdc, (hdc x 22, 2hdc) x 4, hdc x 12, sl st to close (120)
14. ch 2, (hdc x 11, 2hdc) x 10, sl st to close in flo (130)

15. ch 2, turn work so that the right side is facing up as the base of your basket, hdc in blo around, sl st to close in both loops (130)
16. ch 2, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
17. ch 2, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
18. ch 2, hdc around, switch to Color B, sl st to close (130)
19. ch 1, sc, (sc, sc spike 1 row below, sc spike 2 rows below, sc spike 3 rows below) x 32, sc, sl st to close (130)
20. ch 1, hdc around, switch to Color C, sl st to close (130)

21. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
22. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
23. ch 1, hdc x 2, (hdc in blo, hdc in both loops x 3) x 32, sl st to close (130)
24. ch 1, hdc x 2, (tc puff st in front loop of row 23, hdc x 3 in row 24) x 32, sl st to close (130)

25. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
26. ch 1, hdc around, switch to Color D, sl st to close (130)

27. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
28. ch 1, sc around, switch to Color A, sl st to close (130)
Leave as long of a tail of Color D as you can
29. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
30. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
31. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
32. ch 1, hdc around, sl st to close (130)
33. ch 1, skip st directly to the right, rev sc around, sl st to close (130)
Finish off and weave in ends.

To Finish:
Pick up your long grey tail from row 28, and using your yarn needle, sew around the rows of Color A to mimic the spike stitch from row 19. Do this all the way around.
Finish off and weave in ends. This gives the effect that the spike stitch goes in the opposite direction as before.

Feel free to sell any products made from this pattern. However, do not try to sell this pattern or offer it for free in any way. Please link back to me if you post your basket anywhere!
Tag me in any pictures. I would love to see them! Instagram: @kerry_1105 Facebook: K L Crochet
If you have any questions about this pattern, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll answer it the best I can.

Crochet: Ragdolls (plus 8 free patterns!)

I have absolutely loved all these ragdoll patterns popping up everywhere. They're so cute! Heck, I even have a sloth one hanging on the wall in my living room. So I've compiled my 8 favorites to help get you started on your own ragdoll collection. Plus, they're all free. It doesn't get much better than that.

First up, the one I have in my living room!
Ragdoll Sloth by Spin a Yarn Crochet

Harry Potter Ragdoll also by Spin a Yarn Crochet

Santa Claus! by Sewrella

And for another holiday themed one,Christmas Tree by Repeat Crafter Me

Adorable Whales by Spin a Yarn Crochet

Moose by Amilovesgurumi

Beautiful Mermaid by Spin a Yarn Crochet

And finally, one more pattern by Spin a Yarn Crochet. I may be a little obsessed, in case you couldn't tell already.
Ragdoll Fox by Spin a Yarn Crochet

So if you haven't become completely obsessed with crocheted ragdolls by now, then I'm at a loss. I can't wait to make all of these! So far, I've made 1. Yikes! I have a lot of work to do.

Craft Fair

In December, I had a booth at my second ever craft fair. I think the hardest part so far is getting enough inventory. The second hardest part is putting together an attractive display.

First, let's talk about inventory. My 2 best sellers were ornaments and stuffed animals. Next time, I definitely plan to make more of those 2 things. I didn't sell as many hats as I thought I would. So it just goes to show you that things you like and what you think is going to sell really well, may not be what everyone else is willing to buy. My profits have not been as high as I would like them to be. But my second craft fair went better than my first. So I'm willing to keep trying and hopefully, it will just keep getting better.

Now, for the display. My first fair was just embarrasing. I cringe just thinking about it. I had 2 tables with no covering. I used plastic crates for my display. For my second fair, I thought a little more about the display. I made a spinning tree for my key fobs. I used a wooden crate this time. And my husband made me some wooden stairs to display my stuffed animals. I did think to bring a black table covering for my main table. But then I decided to use a second table and last minute, threw an old blanket on it so they didn't match at all. Next time, Im going to try to make it look a little more cohesive. Ah! We all have goals, right?

I think the biggest take-away is to keep learning and keep evolving through each one. And if you want to buy something from my crochet business, feel free to head on over to klcrochet.etsy.com where I sell finished items AND patterns!

First, let me introduce myself...

Hi! So I've tried this whole blogging thing before, but it just felt like so much pressure. This time around, I'm going to make it simple and fun! Who's ready?

My plan is to have posts about everything I do as a mom...and some extras.
Like all the fun crafts we do.
And all the fun places we visit.
And all the super fun things we have planned for this summer!

So if you're ready. Let's get started!
But first, here's a picture of my sweet family and a little background on me.

I am a mom of a wonderful 7-year-old boy. I've been married for 5 1/2 years. I used to work as a preschool teacher. But then I discovered that I really enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom more than anything else so I chose to quit my job and devote all of my time to my family. And here we are. I love photography, crochet, pottery, singing, crafting, swimming, and just hanging out with my family.

Now that you know a little about me, let's kick this party off with a bang! Check out my next blog post for an awesome recap on a trip my family took last month!