Basket Weave Container. Challenge running from September 1st to September 30th, 2014. Sponsored by Red Heart Yarns.
Personalize Your Container
Your mission is to crochet a custom made basket weave container that is decorated with a minimum of 3 crochet motifs attached to the container with optional use of using mixed media such as ribbons, buttons and whatever you can get your hands on. Your container can be in any theme or decorative idea.
Optional But Creative: We would love to see containers that tell a story in some way. Maybe it’s part of a fairy tale, nursery rhythm or maybe something that is relevant to your life.
One lucky person at the end, will be gifted a fully loaded Red Heart Yarn Bag with Crochet Crowd Gifts. We also have a sterling silver crochet hook necklace by Furls Crochet Hooks in this package.
Each completed container is considered 1 entry. Do as many as you like. We have random draws, unless otherwise stated. It’s a lottery system and everyone has a fair chance.
Inspired by Candy Crush
If you need help with colour schemes using Super Saver Yarn, check out Diva Dan’s Trendy Colours Page for ideas. Diva Dan has over 80 different colour combinations.
Goals for This Project
Learn and understand the concepts of enlarging circles as shown on the base of the container.
Learn a technique of applying a ridge at the base of the container for stablization.
Learn and understand the concepts of this basket weave stitch.
Find and exercise your personal creativity with applying a minimum of 3 crochet motifs to your project.
Have fun and encourage each other’s creative skills.
Guidelines for Completion – The Challenge
Container Challenge for September 2014 Crochet Challenges
You must complete the pattern for the main base of the container. The minimum completion is Round 1 to Round 25 of the container instructions. If your tension is different and the sizing doesn’t match the pattern the physical size it should be, we will accept the entry as long as the pattern is followed and we can count the minimum number of rounds in the picture.
You may substitute your crochet hook but you still must follow the pattern for the main base of the container.
You may increase the size of your container in diameter and/or height but you may not change the shape, for example – round to square.
OPTIONAL – Handle completion and owl face on the pattern are not required.
Suggested Yarn is Red Heart Super Saver but you may substitute yarn to make this project. Red Heart Super Saver is known for being stiff and sturdy, please be aware that other yarns may not provide the thickness or rigidity to allow the container to take its shape.
You can choose any colours you wish. You can mix and match your yarns. You are the creator.
Complete a minimum of 3 crochet motifs to apply to the outside of the container. For example, if your motif is made up of a few pieces in order to make the 1 complete motif, that is classified as 1 motif. The motifs can be anything such as doilies, flowers, characters or whatever is in your mind. You can add as many variety motifs as you wish. Embellishing your containers with mixed media such as ribbons, buttons and more are encouraged.
There is no sign up required to participate. Complete the project and submit your photo when you are done. This challenge is open to fans of The Crochet Crowd. There are no restrictions of country origin associated to our challenges.
You may use any yarn you wish. You may substitute your yarn for any brand or colors that you desire. You may create any color scheme
The projects must be the same stitching as indicated in the pattern. Do not disqualify yourself by changing the pattern stitching. Submission of a project equivalent to the project but isn’t the same will not be accepted.
If you are changing your hook size, we are still looking for the pattern to be the same. Even though your item may be bigger or smaller, we expect the same pattern to be followed. Changing the hook size doesn’t add or take away from the work involved in the stitches.
You may do as many projects as you wish. Each submitted project is considered a separate entry. If multiple entries are identical, a picture showing the projects together to prove their are multiple must be included with your submissions.
Crocheters Choice: After your pattern instructions are complete, you may add embellishments, borders and etc to the pattern to push your creativity further.
We require your photo to show the entire project so we know the entire project is done. The project photo must be showing all of the project for us to examine it’s completion. Ensure your project is completely finished with yarn tails and etc not showing. It’s like giving it out as a gift, we want to the see the photo showing as if you were gifting us the finished product. We will then know you are completely done.
This is intended for a fun community challenge only. We each are deserving of the highest praise possible for our own creativity. Let’s have fun.
How to Submit Your Photo
Submitting for the Crochet Crowd Challenge is really easy.
You must include your name and full mailing address to qualify.
Attach your photo(s).
If you have forgotten to include your name and address in your email and have to resend, you must send in your photo again with your new email.
Give us a 3 day window to review and enter your photo into our challenge. Do not resubmit. We do not acknowledge the arrivals of each email, but you may check our assigned gallery for this draw to ensure we have received it. The galleries are in alphabetical order by the assigned name you gave us.
To avoid your email from being misdirected and hitting our junk box. You must use the subject title. We are not responsible for emails that are misdirected as a result of a submission not following this procedure. To protect our servers, we delete any emails that arrive that have no subject title to prevent malware and virus programs from our systems.
Please read challenge rules before submitting photo.
Photo will be checked to verify it meets the challenge requirements.
All photos must be submitted during the challenge time frame only to be eligible for the prize giveaways. Entries after this due date will be accepted for our gallery but there are no prize giveaways after the deadline. We are firm on deadlines and do not offer extensions to be fair to everyone who has submitted on time.
When you email your finished photo to us, we respect your privacy and will only post your first and last name on the picture in our gallery with the photo so we can identify the winner at the end.
Posting your photos to our Facebook Wall doesn’t count as an entry. You must send it to us in the form above for us to review.
We will not switch the photo if you are unhappy with how it looks in the gallery, please ensure it’s the photo you definitely want featured is the only one sent.
Your emails are kept on file for the duration of the challenge and then deleted afterwards. We do not add your email to our newsletter lists.
Due to the countless technology platforms and services, we are not responsible for any of our challengers if a mobile devices or technology that isn’t compliant to being able to read our website, view our videos and/or get access to the free patterns.
Please verify your entry is in our gallery prior to our draw. We need up to 2 days to get your entry into our gallery. We upload it ourselves as part of our review process. If you do not see your entry, we most likely haven’t received your email. Do not wait until after the draw to check if your entry is in.
We are not responsible for any emails that are not delivered to us before the due date.
Show’n Tell on Facebook
Show’n Tell: Post your finished project on The Crochet Crowd Facebook Page to show everyone your finished work so we can drool over your creativity.
Featuring on Facebook is dependent on you. We do not upload your emailed photos to Facebook. You have to do that yourself if you want to Show N Tell your creativity.
My first challenge and my first basket weave stitch! My basket is complete, but I am having an impossible time understanding the pattern for the handles – and it’s not included as part of the tutorial video. Could someone please help me? My basket needs handles! Thanks!!
I am having a very hard time with this challenge and I so want to do it. I have started it 4 times now and its just not working right for me. Working with to strands of yarn is not easy when you have nerve damage in both hands. I am using red heart yarn with size J hook. I am not new to crocheting.
Hi Carol,
FreshStitches has some suggestions for wrist excersises on her website with pictures. Lion Brand also has suggestions. You still have over two weeks to complete the challenge, so maybe more rest time before your hands hurt too much may help. Wish you the best in dealing with your pain!
I am still working on my first basket but am not happy with it. Just finished the base but it doesn’t sit flat. It’s all wavy. Does this mean that I need a bigger hook? So tempted to give up or at the very least do some frogging. Sigh. I have counted the stitches and it’s the right number around. I had to use 12ply wool here in NZ as we didn’t have Red Heart and used a 6.5mm hook.
Hi, Gracie,
I does sound as if your tension is too tight, and you will need to use a larger size hook.Try going up a size or two. It may not be the fault of the yarn; you may just work a little more tightly than most people. No matter the project, I always do a tension swatch first to check that I’m working to the specified pattern tension. In my early twenties, I started telling people to do a tension swatch, and they looked at me like I’d suddenly sprouted an extra head. I worked in a yarn store, and hauled out the “Did you do a tension swatch?” line at least once a week. It amazes me the number of people who don’t do this; it really does save time otherwise spent frogging your work.
I agree. Do the swatch…
But once you get to know your own stitchwork, it’s not necessary unless you are trying something really new. For example, when the yarn band says x stitches/inch, using a J hook, that’s what I get. I am a very average crocheter. But with slippery fibers, I tend to crochet tighter, to not drop stitches as easily
I do a swatch and know I am a very tight crocheter. My problem is I may match the guage across but not the other. Since I mostly make shawls and lapghans, it doesnt matter much but my hats are too big so I call them slouchies
Just finished the basket challenge. My first crochet challenge and I really enjoyed it. I plan on doing more of these challenges.
Only problem I have is sending the pictures. I’ve tried twice following the requirements. I have tried again a third time and hope it goes through. Anyone else have a problem sending? Thanks Mikey and staff for these great videos and all you put into the website.
Are you using the entry form? Or emailing directly? I sometimes have trouble with the form, but you can email you entry directly to mikeyshelpdesk@hotmail.com. Remember to use the subject line SEPTEMBER, and be sure to add your name and address, in case you win
Hi, I would like to join this challenge but I would like to check is this open to anyone from anywhere? Because I do not live in the Us or the UK. The other thing is when is the due date for submission of the photo? Hope to hear a reply from you. Thank you
Hi Nafeesa!
The Basket Weave Container. Challenge is running from September 1st to September 30th, 2014.
Don’t forget to email a photo of your entry (entries), along with your name and address, so they can mail the prize if you win!
Also, be sure to use the subject line: SEPTEMBER, so it gets past the junk filters.
All of Mikey’s challenges are open to everyone on earth! (I love that!)
Have fun, and good luck!
I Have a question. On the video Mikey says that I will do 16 rows of the Basket weave stitch..But on the pattern it says only 15 rows (Rows 10-24). Is he counting row #9 (double crochets) as one of his 16 rows? I just want to make sure I am following the challenge correctly- and getting the right number of rows in..
This is my first time participating in a challenge and I am very excited. I am up to round 11 on the basket and I can’t wait to get home today from work and finsih it off so that I can submit my entry.
Need some help please. This is my first challenge. I’ve started the sides but after 3 or 4 rows, I seems to get a wave to my basket. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? I have the same amount of stitches in each row.
I have a question on when you start the sides. My first row seems to be fine but by the 3rd or 4th row, it seems to be wavy. What am I doing wrong? This is my first challenge.
One strand won’t allow the basket to stand up on it’s own. Double stranding it will keep it strong enough to support its own weight. You don’t need two strands but your basket will not stand up.
Jennifer, a motif definition can be intimidating but Michael explains it a little at the end of the guidelines. A picture is the best answer. Go through the gallery of finished baskets. And you need a minimum of three motifs per basket.
My first challenge – finished the basket, waiting for one of my embellishments to dry & then the big fun begins! I’m taking time out from making an afghan for my son & his soon to be bride (wedding gift) in order to make this basket. This will be another ‘unplanned’ gift for them so it doesn’t matter if I win, I’ll be pleased to have completed my first challenge-Woohoo!
QUESTION: This is my very first challenge with Crochet Crowd. I’m excited! I have a multi-layered question. Thanks in advance for your help.
The instructions say to do the stitches exactly as in the pattern (up to row 25 at least). They also say the handle is optional. Does this mean I could do a different handle shape/style? I suppose that might count as adding a “border”? Also, do borders and other non-applique trim I have in mind count as “applique” items?
Going to make the owl basket can you or anyone have instructions to make a cover for the basket as noticed on pictures a year ago some people made a cover to fit the basket I am willing to pay for instructions of a cover
Mikey does excellent on video and loves he shows left and right handed
All the submissions are excellent!!ent
Posted the last comment on cover does anyone or the person who made the black and white owl on page 2 can give me directions on herorhis owl wings and feet I will pay for the directions or can give me the persons email
My daughter loves owls and Harry Potter and reminds me of owl in Harry Potter
And to everyone that did the baskets challenge they are all so great
And Mikey’s leave one great
Patty, I think the motifs for the eyes and beak are already in the pattern. For other motifs, just search for ‘crochet motif pattern’ and you will find more than you could ever make. You can narrow your search by adding a descriptive term, such as ‘leaf motif’ or ‘ghost motif’. Somewhere Mikey had a list of motif patterns as well. You could try searching the website.
I don’t remember ever seeing a top to the basket, but I suppose a flat circle would do the trick. Perhaps use the part of the pattern for the bottom circle and add another round or two to make it fit the top?
I very much enjoyed this challenge, and made another smaller one for my grandson to keep his wii accessories in one place
Good luck!!!
Well I have finished the basket, and embellishments but one, tomorrow I will be busy sewing them on, it’s nearly midnight here in Oz, so that’s it for me.
Hi Pat! Welcome, from a fellow crocheter!
We usually finish our projects, and photograph them in good light, so the stitches show, sometimes using background and props to enhance our creativity. It’s all about inspiration and fun! And even better if you win something!
If you have a question on the process, you can take a picture, and ask on FaceBook. That’s what most of us do. If you don’t use FaceBook, you can ask here too, but I couldn’t tell you how to post a picture!
Good luck!
Thank you so much for the replies. I was a bit confused as to the rules. I have finished the basket but not the embellishments yet. Thought I had better ask before i send in the pic. THANKS AGAIN FOR BEING SO HELPFUL!
I’d love to win!
,,,but if I don’t, just taking part in this wonderful project makes me feel a winner… Feeling surrounded by creative beautiful people from all over the world… is in itself an awsome prize!
This is a fun project and has so many uses. I have made two so far (before this challenge). One is being used as a cover for a small wastebasket and the other was used for a baby shower gift filled with diapers, wipes, etc. The nursery theme happened to be owls. It is also useful for containg those pesky runaway yarn balls and I also found one of my sister’s cats curled up and sleeping in one! I’ve been wanting to make another and now have an excuse to do so. Thanks Mikey and Co. for all your hard work in bringing us these fantastic challenge projects.
I am so bad at not finishing projects. I am going to try again. I didn’t finish my giraffe or the afghan. I am always anxious to start so I don’t know why I drop out. I am retired and have plenty of time for crafting.
Chris I can totally understand. I am a victim of CWIP-Continuous Work In Progress syndrome. I am hoping the challenge will encourage me to finish something.
My first challenge and my first basket weave stitch! My basket is complete, but I am having an impossible time understanding the pattern for the handles – and it’s not included as part of the tutorial video. Could someone please help me? My basket needs handles!
Thanks!!
I am having a very hard time with this challenge and I so want to do it. I have started it 4 times now and its just not working right for me. Working with to strands of yarn is not easy when you have nerve damage in both hands. I am using red heart yarn with size J hook. I am not new to crocheting.
Hi Carol,
FreshStitches has some suggestions for wrist excersises on her website with pictures. Lion Brand also has suggestions. You still have over two weeks to complete the challenge, so maybe more rest time before your hands hurt too much may help. Wish you the best in dealing with your pain!
Thank you Patricia. I, too, have very painful hands. I will try these out as well
I am still working on my first basket but am not happy with it. Just finished the base but it doesn’t sit flat. It’s all wavy. Does this mean that I need a bigger hook? So tempted to give up or at the very least do some frogging. Sigh. I have counted the stitches and it’s the right number around. I had to use 12ply wool here in NZ as we didn’t have Red Heart and used a 6.5mm hook.
Hi, Gracie,
I does sound as if your tension is too tight, and you will need to use a larger size hook.Try going up a size or two. It may not be the fault of the yarn; you may just work a little more tightly than most people. No matter the project, I always do a tension swatch first to check that I’m working to the specified pattern tension. In my early twenties, I started telling people to do a tension swatch, and they looked at me like I’d suddenly sprouted an extra head. I worked in a yarn store, and hauled out the “Did you do a tension swatch?” line at least once a week. It amazes me the number of people who don’t do this; it really does save time otherwise spent frogging your work.
I agree. Do the swatch…
But once you get to know your own stitchwork, it’s not necessary unless you are trying something really new. For example, when the yarn band says x stitches/inch, using a J hook, that’s what I get. I am a very average crocheter. But with slippery fibers, I tend to crochet tighter, to not drop stitches as easily
I do a swatch and know I am a very tight crocheter. My problem is I may match the guage across but not the other. Since I mostly make shawls and lapghans, it doesnt matter much but my hats are too big so I call them slouchies
Just finished the basket challenge. My first crochet challenge and I really enjoyed it. I plan on doing more of these challenges.
Only problem I have is sending the pictures. I’ve tried twice following the requirements. I have tried again a third time and hope it goes through. Anyone else have a problem sending? Thanks Mikey and staff for these great videos and all you put into the website.
Nevermind….I found what I did wrong…..duh!
Are you using the entry form? Or emailing directly? I sometimes have trouble with the form, but you can email you entry directly to mikeyshelpdesk@hotmail.com. Remember to use the subject line SEPTEMBER, and be sure to add your name and address, in case you win
Hi, I would like to join this challenge but I would like to check is this open to anyone from anywhere? Because I do not live in the Us or the UK. The other thing is when is the due date for submission of the photo? Hope to hear a reply from you. Thank you
The guidelines do say that our challenges are open to the globe. 😀
Hi Nafeesa!
The Basket Weave Container. Challenge is running from September 1st to September 30th, 2014.
Don’t forget to email a photo of your entry (entries), along with your name and address, so they can mail the prize if you win!
Also, be sure to use the subject line: SEPTEMBER, so it gets past the junk filters.
All of Mikey’s challenges are open to everyone on earth! (I love that!)
Have fun, and good luck!
I Have a question. On the video Mikey says that I will do 16 rows of the Basket weave stitch..But on the pattern it says only 15 rows (Rows 10-24). Is he counting row #9 (double crochets) as one of his 16 rows? I just want to make sure I am following the challenge correctly- and getting the right number of rows in..
Hi There,
This is my first time participating in a challenge and I am very excited. I am up to round 11 on the basket and I can’t wait to get home today from work and finsih it off so that I can submit my entry.
Ivette
Need some help please. This is my first challenge. I’ve started the sides but after 3 or 4 rows, I seems to get a wave to my basket. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? I have the same amount of stitches in each row.
Thank you for the help.
I have a question on when you start the sides. My first row seems to be fine but by the 3rd or 4th row, it seems to be wavy. What am I doing wrong? This is my first challenge.
Thanks for your help.
Charlene
I have some Chunky yarn here. Can I use it instead of 2 strands of another?
Make sure it will be sturdy so it will stand up… The 4 ply value yarns tend to be stiff to allow that.
I wanted to ask the same. Can I use one strand instead of two?
One strand won’t allow the basket to stand up on it’s own. Double stranding it will keep it strong enough to support its own weight. You don’t need two strands but your basket will not stand up.
So I follow the pattern as seen in the hoot owl and color and embellishments are mine to decide, is that correct?
yes that’s right. You have to do a minimum of 3 motifs.
Is that three motifs per basket? Could I have a refresher on what a motif is? Thanks!
Motifs are like flowers etc other words embellishments to decorate the basket…
Jennifer, a motif definition can be intimidating but Michael explains it a little at the end of the guidelines. A picture is the best answer. Go through the gallery of finished baskets. And you need a minimum of three motifs per basket.
My first challenge – finished the basket, waiting for one of my embellishments to dry & then the big fun begins! I’m taking time out from making an afghan for my son & his soon to be bride (wedding gift) in order to make this basket. This will be another ‘unplanned’ gift for them so it doesn’t matter if I win, I’ll be pleased to have completed my first challenge-Woohoo!
How did you make that great leaf? I love it!
We have a tutorial for that on our YouTube Channel. http://youtube.com/mikeyssmail
How did you make that great leaf? I love that!
QUESTION: This is my very first challenge with Crochet Crowd. I’m excited! I have a multi-layered question. Thanks in advance for your help.
The instructions say to do the stitches exactly as in the pattern (up to row 25 at least). They also say the handle is optional. Does this mean I could do a different handle shape/style? I suppose that might count as adding a “border”? Also, do borders and other non-applique trim I have in mind count as “applique” items?
Is there a place to find patterns for motifts to crochet for the embelishments?
I am motift challenged,( I don’t know how to make one).
Thanks, Mike
http://redheart.com is a great place to start.
allfreecrochet.com has a good selection but may not have videos.
Going to make the owl basket can you or anyone have instructions to make a cover for the basket as noticed on pictures a year ago some people made a cover to fit the basket I am willing to pay for instructions of a cover
Mikey does excellent on video and loves he shows left and right handed
All the submissions are excellent!!ent
Posted the last comment on cover does anyone or the person who made the black and white owl on page 2 can give me directions on herorhis owl wings and feet I will pay for the directions or can give me the persons email
My daughter loves owls and Harry Potter and reminds me of owl in Harry Potter
And to everyone that did the baskets challenge they are all so great
And Mikey’s leave one great
Patty, I think the motifs for the eyes and beak are already in the pattern. For other motifs, just search for ‘crochet motif pattern’ and you will find more than you could ever make. You can narrow your search by adding a descriptive term, such as ‘leaf motif’ or ‘ghost motif’. Somewhere Mikey had a list of motif patterns as well. You could try searching the website.
I don’t remember ever seeing a top to the basket, but I suppose a flat circle would do the trick. Perhaps use the part of the pattern for the bottom circle and add another round or two to make it fit the top?
I very much enjoyed this challenge, and made another smaller one for my grandson to keep his wii accessories in one place
Good luck!!!
Well I have finished the basket, and embellishments but one, tomorrow I will be busy sewing them on, it’s nearly midnight here in Oz, so that’s it for me.
HI THERE, I’m new to the challenges and have an important question. Do I first submit a photo of the first 25 rounds, and then the completed project?
THANK YOU!!
Submit a pic when you are completely done.
Thanks for asking.
Hi Pat! Welcome, from a fellow crocheter!
We usually finish our projects, and photograph them in good light, so the stitches show, sometimes using background and props to enhance our creativity. It’s all about inspiration and fun! And even better if you win something!
If you have a question on the process, you can take a picture, and ask on FaceBook. That’s what most of us do. If you don’t use FaceBook, you can ask here too, but I couldn’t tell you how to post a picture!
Good luck!
Thank you so much for the replies. I was a bit confused as to the rules. I have finished the basket but not the embellishments yet. Thought I had better ask before i send in the pic. THANKS AGAIN FOR BEING SO HELPFUL!
Pat
Anytime! Glad to be of service
Pingback: Sept 2014 Crochet Challenge: Day 1 | BellaBeenieBags
Wholly Hoot-Owl Batman, that’s been on my to-do list for a while now!
I’d love to win!
,,,but if I don’t, just taking part in this wonderful project makes me feel a winner… Feeling surrounded by creative beautiful people from all over the world… is in itself an awsome prize!
Can you use more than 2 strands?
This is a fun project and has so many uses. I have made two so far (before this challenge). One is being used as a cover for a small wastebasket and the other was used for a baby shower gift filled with diapers, wipes, etc. The nursery theme happened to be owls. It is also useful for containg those pesky runaway yarn balls and I also found one of my sister’s cats curled up and sleeping in one! I’ve been wanting to make another and now have an excuse to do so. Thanks Mikey and Co. for all your hard work in bringing us these fantastic challenge projects.
I am so bad at not finishing projects. I am going to try again. I didn’t finish my giraffe or the afghan. I am always anxious to start so I don’t know why I drop out. I am retired and have plenty of time for crafting.
Chris I can totally understand. I am a victim of CWIP-Continuous Work In Progress syndrome. I am hoping the challenge will encourage me to finish something.
Girls it’s great to know that I’m NOT the only one!! Good luck to ya’ll!
Greetings from Caracas Venezuela!
love the idea of a smaller project can’t wait for more details also question can you use other yarn besides red heart would love to know the awnser