Crocheted Baskets for Christmas.

Make yourselves comfortable, dear readers, if you're chasing commitments and errands, save this article and read it only after you've returned home.

Now, yes, the workday is over, the most important tasks have been tackled, and it's time to dedicate some time to ourselves.

I usually relax at home, a warm shower, good music according to my mood, a bit more classical if I'm tense, a bit more pop if I'm feeling energetic, a good skincare routine to relieve accumulated anxiety, stress, and nervousness, and light makeup to help me be more productive.

And I could go on for hours, but I only ask you to let go, choose the beverage that suits the moment, a glass of good red wine accompanied by a platter of cold cuts and a bowl of taralli, a steaming herbal tea accompanied by buttery cookies with delightful drops of chocolate or various jams, a hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon-flavored meringues to immerse yourself even more in the autumnal mood. In short, you have plenty of options to choose from, with a special mention to those who opt for fruit extracts accompanied by low-calorie snacks to stay fit... light a candle and let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere.

I've recently started crocheting, between chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet, and increases, I'm taking my first steps in this creative world, partly to learn a new technique and challenge myself, and partly because I'm living the dream of many, that of strolling through long corridors of marvelous colorful threads, and who am I not to launch myself into a new experience?

And if we add that we are in NOVEMBER, that is, the month before Christmas, you will surely understand me.

But, we're not yet ready to sing Christmas carols, turn on the lights, and let ourselves be carried away by the magic of the season, but sometimes it's also right to let the mind wander and distance it from what keeps us busy during the day., so farewell worries, farewell ugly and sad thoughts, let's open up to a few minutes of fantasy and creativity.

Let's get back to us... as I was walking through the corridors, my eye fell on the ribbon, and do you know what I said to myself?

Why not try making some accessories for my desk?

The idea was to create a candy holder, a pen holder, in short, anything to fit the theme.

So I hope you'll appreciate this new project of mine, and welcome my first home decor accessories for this Christmas .

The colors are debatable, but at my house, CHRISTMAS is red, with a touch of elegant gold; I don't know why it brings back wonderful memories and relaxes me with its elegant combination of shades.

Of course, you're free to replace the colors with those that best match your home's style or your preferences... because I'm presenting these projects to you as CHRISTMAS BASKETS, but you can make them in the colors you love and use them for different periods than Christmas.

HOW TO MAKE CROCHET CHRISTMAS BASKETS

Let's take it step by step, and before we dive into following stitches and patterns, let's understand how to choose the necessary materials for making your basket.

Lycra Ribbon

I chose Lycra ribbon, ideal for crocheting bags or home decor accessories, an excellent product for both beginners like me and experienced crocheters. I can confirm that it was enjoyable and fun to work on a project with this material. Its quality is wonderful, with a tubular structure and precise cutting that ensures a uniform result for your project.

• ocean blue lycra, white lycra, red lycra

Crochet Hook

I used a larger ergonomic crochet hook, which contributed to the excellent work as explained earlier. I used a size 6 crochet hook from the ergo maxysize set.

• CROCHET HOOK

Gold Lurex

While the work was progressing quickly, I realized that it needed a luminous, elegant touch, a sprinkle of stardust. So, I got some gold lurex, and voilà, the result was stunning.

Keep in mind that you cannot work with lurex alone, so we recommend always pairing it with another material. The combination with Lycra worked wonderfully for me.

• lurex

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CROCHETING

1st round

The base of the basket starts with a circular work. Begin with a magic ring and work 6 single crochet stitches into it.

2nd round

Stretch the edge of the ribbon and work in the center of the single crochet stitches, making an increase in each single crochet stitch.

PHOTO ONE

3rd round

In each center, work one single crochet stitch and one increase, totaling 2 single crochet stitches.

4th round

Proceed with 1 increase and 3 single crochet stitches.

Continue the round until the base reaches the desired size for your basket.

5th round

Once the base is complete, turn the work, enter the next stitch (PHOTO TWO), pull the yarn through to the back, and close with 1 slip stitch around the circumference (PHOTO THREE).

Create a chain and work a single crochet stitch in the next stitch, catching the loop of the chain you created (PHOTO FOUR).

6th round

Work the height in single crochet stitches throughout the round.

7th round

Continue to build the height by working in the top loop of the single crochet stitches, as you would in a ribbing stitch.

8th round

Once you've achieved the desired height, cut the ribbon, tuck any loose ends inside the stitches, and your basket is ready.

I ventured into both changing colors and adding lamé. What do you think? Do you like it? This concludes my first home decor project crocheted with Lycra ribbon.

I look forward to seeing your Christmas-themed projects.

Rosaria Tessiland®