Hello, decorative crocheters and flower enthusiasts! Get ready to bring a perpetual spring into your home with the exquisite Spring Bloom Tulip Basket. This container is a true showstopper, utilizing three contrasting colors of chunky T-shirt yarn to create a detailed band of colorful tulips around the rim.
This project is not for the faint of heart—it’s an intermediate pattern that involves color changes, Bulky Bobble Stitches (for the petals), and the structural Tapestry Single Crochet for the base. The result is a sturdy, one-of-a-kind basket perfect for holding essentials or simply serving as a vibrant centerpiece.
Grab your tightest tension and your beautiful yarn colors, and let’s bring these crocheted tulips to life!
🧶 Materials You’ll Need
Success relies on using structural yarn and maintaining tight tension.
- Yarn:Super Bulky T-Shirt Yarn (Weight 6 or 7). A structural, non-stretchy type is vital.
- Color A (Soil/Base): Neutral Grey/Taupe (Approx. 150-200 yards)
- Color B (Stems/Leaves): Bright Green (Approx. 50-75 yards)
- Color C (Petals): Hot Pink/Fuchsia (Approx. 75-100 yards)
- Crochet Hook: 7.0 mm (L) or 8.0 mm (M). Use the smallest hook possible that still allows you to pull the yarn through to ensure maximum density.
- Stitch Marker: Essential for tracking the start of rounds.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
- Scissors.
📏 Finished Size & Gauge
- Base Diameter: 6 – 7 inches (15 – 18 cm)
- Height: 4 – 5 inches (10 – 13 cm)
- Gauge: The base must be perfectly flat and the walls must be rigid.
- Stitch Count: The tulip pattern requires a stitch count that is a multiple of 4. We will aim for 48 stitches for the body.
📝 Abbreviations & Special Stitches (US Terms)
We will introduce the special bobble stitch for the petals.
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: Magic Ring
- sc inc: single crochet increase
- tsc: Tapestry Single Crochet (into the center of the ‘V’)
- Tulip Petal Bobble (TPB): Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). [Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop] 3 times (9 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 9 loops.
💡 Important Notes & Techniques
The structure and visual effect depend on these specialized steps.
- Tapestry SC (tsc): Used for the base and stem rows to create dense, vertical stitches. Insert hook into the center of the ‘V’ of the stitch below. Maintain tight tension!
- Working in Rounds: The body is worked in continuous spirals (no joining with sl st) unless noted for the final rim.
- Bulky Bobble (TPB): The petal stitch uses many yarn overs in one stitch, which pulls a lot of yarn from the back of the work to create a highly raised texture on the front.
- Color Changes: All color changes must be done on the last yarn over of the stitch immediately preceding the new color.
🤎 Part 1: The Base and Body (Color A)
We use Color A (Grey/Taupe) for the entire base and the first part of the sides.
- Round 1 (Base): With Color A, make a MR. Ch 1. Work 8 sc into the MR. Pull tail tight. Place stitch marker. (8 sts)
- Round 2: Sc inc in each st around. (16 sts)
- Round 3: [1 sc in next st, sc inc in next st] repeat around. (24 sts)
- Round 4: [1 sc in next 2 sts, sc inc in next st] repeat around. (32 sts)
- Round 5: [1 sc in next 3 sts, sc inc in next st] repeat around. (40 sts)
- Round 6: [1 sc in next 4 sts, sc inc in next st] repeat around. (48 sts—our multiple of 4).
- Transition Round (Shaping): Work 1 sc in the BLO of each st around. Do not join. (Creates the corner).
- Body Rounds 1-3 (tsc): Work 1 tsc (Tapestry SC) in every st around. Do not join.
💚 Part 2: The Stem and Leaf Row
Now we introduce Color B (Green) for the stem/leaf detail using the tapestry crochet technique.
- Round 4 (Stems):
- Work 3 tsc with Color A.
- Change to Color B on the last yo of the 3rd st.
- Work 1 tsc with Color B.
- Repeat sequence: [Work 3 tsc with Color A, work 1 tsc with Color B] around. (48 sts)
- Ensure you change back to Color A on the last yo of the Color B stitch before starting the next sequence.
- Round 5 (Foundation for Petals): Work 1 tsc with Color A in every st around. This round is entirely Color A and separates the stems from the petals.
- Change to Color B on the last yo of the final stitch of the round.
💖 Part 3: The Tulip Petals and Final Rim
We introduce Color C (Pink) for the petals, still using Color B (Green) for the stem base of the bobble.
- Round 6 (Petal Row):
- Start with Color B: Work 1 sc (normal sc, under both loops) in the next st (this helps anchor the petal).
- Change to Color C on the last yo of the sc.
- Petal: Work 1 TPB (Tulip Petal Bobble) with Color C in the next st.
- Change to Color B on the last yo of the TPB.
- Work 2 sc with Color B in the next 2 sts.
- Repeat sequence: [1 sc with Color B, 1 TPB with Color C, 2 sc with Color B] around. (48 sts)
- You must drop and pick up the colors for every sequence!
- Round 7 (Final Rim):
- Work 1 sc with Color B in the first st.
- Work 1 sl st (slip stitch) in the next st (the top of the TPB).
- Work 2 sc with Color B in the next 2 sts.
- Repeat sequence: [1 sc, 1 sl st, 2 sc] around. (48 sts)
- Sl st to the first sc to join. FO and weave in ends.
Video Tutorial:
✨ Finishing Touches
- Weave in Ends: This project will have many color change tails inside the basket wall. Be meticulous in weaving them securely into the thickness of the tsc walls.
- Shape: Gently push on the sides to ensure the walls stand straight and the petals are prominently displayed. The density of the T-shirt yarn should ensure great structure.
🎉 Congratulations!
You’ve successfully crocheted the beautiful Spring Bloom Tulip Basket! This complex, rewarding project results in a vibrant, sturdy container that is sure to draw attention. Enjoy the perpetual bloom!
