Holly Trim Crochet Christmas Gift Basket Free Christmas Pattern

Nestled among pinecones and wrapped parcels, this charming holiday project is a basket that does the wrapping and stays wonderfully useful once the gifts are out. The sides are formed from sturdy, structured rounds of cream single crochet, topped with a festive green holly leaf rim and bright red berries.

Holly Trim Crochet Christmas Gift Basket Free Christmas Pattern

Quick Facts

• Skill Level: Confident Beginner
• Finished Size: 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) diameter, 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) height
• Yarn: Bulky weight (Category 5) cotton or cotton-blend yarn in Cream, Forest Green, and Crimson Red
• Hook: US J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitches Used: ch, sl st, sc, inc, dec, blo
• Time to Make: A weekend project (approx. 4 to 6 hours)

Size customization tips are included further down in this article.

What Makes This Holly Crochet Basket Special

Working with a bulky cotton yarn and a slightly smaller hook creates the dense, self-supporting fabric you see in the photos, keeping the basket upright without needing plastic inserts or wire frames. The base is worked in flat, seamless rounds of single crochet, transitioning into the side walls with a single back-loop-only round that creates a crisp 90-degree corner. Finally, the decorative holly leaf trim is crocheted directly around the top edge, dotted with plush crimson red bobble berries.

Skill Level

• Working in the round (spiral and joined)
• Basic stitches (sc, sl st) and increases/decreases
• Working into the back loop only (blo)
• Bobble stitch (explained in special stitches)

You don’t need advanced shaping skills to finish this basket—just patience with your yarn tension and a love for handmade holiday decor.

Finished Measurements

Dimension	Inches	Centimeters
Diameter	9.5 in	24.1 cm
Height	4.5 in	11.4 cm
Circumference	29.8 in	75.7 cm

Materials You Will Need

Material / Color	Yarn Weight / Type	Yardage / Quantity
Cream (Main Color)	Bulky (Cat 5) Cotton	180 yards (165 meters)
Forest Green (Trim)	Bulky (Cat 5) Cotton	45 yards (41 meters)
Crimson Red (Berries)	Bulky (Cat 5) Cotton	15 yards (14 meters)

• Hook: US J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• Notions: Yarn needle for weaving ends, stitch markers (2), measuring tape

Yarn Suggestions

Yarn Line	Weight	Skein Yardage	Notes
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick	Super Bulky (Cat 6) / Bulky (Cat 5 equivalent)	106 yards (97 m)	Check gauge closely; wonderful stitch definition
Bernat Maker Home Dec	Bulky (Cat 5)	317 yards (290 m)	Tubular cotton weave creates incredible basket stiffness
Lily Sugar’n Cream Mega Bulky	Bulky (Cat 5)	136 yards (124 m)	100% cotton, washes easily

⚠️ Note: Avoid novelty fuzz or stretchy acrylic yarns for this project, as they will cause the basket sides to slouch and lose their upright shape.

Gauge

• Base: First 4 rounds of base = 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) in diameter using a 6.0 mm hook.
• Sides: 11 sc and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet.

Abbreviations

• beg: beginning
• blo: back loop only
• ch: chain
• dec: single crochet decrease (insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up loop, insert hook in following st, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook)
• inc: increase (work 2 sc in the same st)
• rep: repeat
• rnd(s): round(s)
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• [ ]: work instructions within brackets as directed

UK Terms Translation: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.

Special Stitches Explained

1. Magic Ring: Wrap yarn around your left index finger twice, insert hook under rings, pull up a loop, ch 1, and work the starting stitches into the ring. Pull tail to close.
2. 3-dc Bobble (Crimson Berry): [Yarn over, insert hook into st, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times in the same stitch, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Pattern Instructions

💡 Designer Tip: This basket is worked in continuous spiral rounds for the base and sides. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.

Section 1: Basket Base (Cream)

Using Cream yarn and a 6.0 mm hook, start with a magic ring.
– Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in magic ring. Do not join; work in a continuous spiral. (6 sc)
– Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sc)
– Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times. (18 sc)
– Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24 sc)
– Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30 sc)
– Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36 sc)
– Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42 sc)
– Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times. (48 sc)
– Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times. (54 sc)
– Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] 6 times. (60 sc)
– Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] 6 times. (66 sc)
– Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] 6 times. (72 sc)
– Rnd 13: [11 sc, inc] 6 times. (78 sc)
– Rnd 14: [12 sc, inc] 6 times. (84 sc)

✅ Checkpoint: Flat circle should measure approximately 9.5 inches across. You have 84 stitches.

Section 2: Basket Sides (Cream)

• Rnd 15: Working in blo only, sc in each st around. (84 sc)
• Rnds 16 to 27: Sc in each st around. (84 sc)
• Rnd 28: Sl st in next st to smooth the edge, fasten off Cream yarn and weave in ends. (84 sts)

Section 3: Holly Leaf Trim & Berries (Forest Green & Crimson Red)

The holly rim is worked directly onto the top edge of the basket across the 84 stitches in 6 repeating sections (14 stitches per repeat).

Attach Forest Green yarn to any top-edge stitch of the basket.
– Trim Rnd (Worked around the 84 top stitches):
*[Ch 3, work 2 dc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in same base st as join, ch 3, 2 dc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next basket st to form double leaf motif. Sc in next 2 basket sts. (Leaf cluster made).] Repeat from * 6 times total around the rim. Fasten off Forest Green, weave in ends.

Berries (Make 18 total – 3 berries per leaf cluster):
Using Crimson Red yarn and a 6.0 mm hook, make a magic ring.
– Berry Rnd: Work 3-dc Bobble in magic ring, sl st to top of first bobble to close, fasten off leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail. Pull magic ring tight.

Assembly

1. Position the 18 Crimson Red berries in tight clusters of 3 right at the base cleft of each of the 6 double holly leaf motifs around the basket rim.
2. Using the yarn tails and a tapestry needle, securely stitch each berry cluster to the green leaf joins.
3. Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely on the inside of the basket.

Finishing

Block your finished basket lightly by misting with water and pressing into a crisp circular shape while damp. Let dry completely before filling.

Size Customization Tips

To make a larger or smaller basket, adjust your starting circle by increasing the base rounds by increments of 6 stitches per round. Ensure your final base stitch count is divisible by 14 so the 6 holly leaf repeats fit evenly around the rim.

Care Instructions

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not submerge completely in water if using natural cotton that may shrink. Reshape while damp.

FAQ

Can I use super bulky yarn instead of bulky yarn?

Yes, but it will make the basket significantly larger and alter your gauge. You will need to adjust your base round count down so the final stitch count is divisible by 14.

How do I make the basket stand up stiffer?

You can line the inside with a cut-to-size circle of plastic canvas or heavy felt, though bulky cotton crocheted tightly is generally self-supporting.

Is this basket safe to hold food items?

If made with 100% natural cotton yarn, it is completely safe to hold pre-wrapped treats, fruits, or baked goods packaged in parchment paper.

Happy Crocheting!

I hope you enjoy making this festive holiday basket for your home or as a thoughtful handmade gift for someone special. Save this pin on Pinterest to find it easily later, and leave a comment below to let me know what colors you chose for your holly trim!