Lion Brand^® Lion^® Cotton

GAUGE:

20 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

FPdc Yo, insert hook from front to back then to front, going around the dc post, draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Skip st behind the FPdc. BPdc Yo, insert hook from back to front then to back, going around the dc post, draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice. Skip st in front of the BPdc.

Ch 48 sts.

Foundation Row Dc in 4^th chain from hook; dc in each rem ch across - 46 dc.
Rows 1 and 2 Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each dc across, turn.
Row 3 Chain 2 (counts as first hdc), dc in each of first 2 dc, * dc in next dc, FPdc around post of next dc, skip 1 st behind FPdc; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in each of last 2 dc, hdc in top of turning ch, turn.
Row 4 Ch 2, dc in each of next 2 dc, * BPdc around post of next dc, skip 1 st behind BPdc, dc in next dc; rep from * to last 2 dc, dc in each of last 2 dc, hdc in top of turning ch, turn.
Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern until piece measures 7 inches from beg.
Change to (B), continue in pattern 4 rows
Change to (A). Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern until piece measures 9 inches from beg. Fasten off.

Weave in ends. Press lightly, if desired.

Mix heavy cooked starch per manufacturer's directions Select a bowl or cooking dish that has the same shape as desired in your basket. This will be the form for your basket. Cover the form with plastic wrap (starch is very sticky and if you omit this step, you will have quite a hard time getting your basket off the form) Dip the finished dishcloth in the starch; squeeze to make sure it is completely saturated with starch. Place dishcloth over the form as shown below (if you are using a square pan, the arrangement of the cloth will be different!) Pat into the shape that you want (we folded the corners back towards the top of the bowl to make a rounded shape.)
Wait until the basket dries. If it is drying too slowly, you can hasten the process by baking the project in a very low temperature oven (200 degrees F.) Remove basket from form, peeling off the plastic wrap.
If you plan to fill the basket with something heavy, you may want to cut a piece of cardboard the size of the bottom and put it in the bottom of the basket to make it more sturdy. Fill the basket with goodies! If you are filling the basket with something heavy, you may want to wrap your gift in cellophane and tie with ribbon at the top. This provides better structural strength when transporting the gift.

  Learn to Crochet Instructions:  http://learnToCrochet.LionBrand.com