The Heartwood Hug Basket Free Pattern – A Textured Crochet Love Nest

This isn't your average heart-shaped coaster. The Heartwood Hug Basket is a sculptural, textured crochet basket designed to hold all your Valentine's treasures—from chocolate to love notes. Its intricate cable-and-heart stitch pattern makes it a stunning, heirloom-quality piece that will be cherished for years to come. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter looking for a new challenge or a beginner eager to expand your skills, this pattern offers a rewarding project with breathtaking results. The combination of rich burgundy, soft blush pink, and cream creates a romantic palette perfect for the season of love, while the sturdy cotton yarn ensures your basket will hold everything from sweet treats to cherished mementos.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crochet experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in deep burgundy, blush pink, and cream (approx. 250g total). The burgundy forms the main body, blush pink adds a subtle accent, and cream creates the heart motif and handle.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook. This size is perfect for achieving the gauge and creating a dense, sturdy fabric.
• Gauge: 16 sc x 18 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) in single crochet. Always check your gauge to ensure your basket turns out the correct size.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together, stitch markers (optional but helpful), and scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions carefully to create your Heartwood Hug Basket. The pattern is broken down into sections for clarity. Take your time, and enjoy the process!

Basket Base (Make 2, one for lining)

The base is worked in continuous rounds (spiral) without joining, which creates a seamless, flat circle. You'll make two identical bases—one for the outer basket and one for the lining.

Round 1: With burgundy yarn, make a magic ring, ch 1, work 8 sc into ring. Pull tight to close the ring. (8 sts)

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (16 sts)

Round 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (32 sts)

Round 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (40 sts)

Round 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (48 sts)

Round 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (56 sts)

Round 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (64 sts)

Round 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (72 sts)

Round 10: *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st* repeat around. (80 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Make a second identical base for the lining.

Basket Sides (worked in joined rounds)

Now we'll build the textured sides of the basket using front post double crochet (fpdc) and back post double crochet (bpdc) stitches. These create the beautiful ribbed, woven effect. Each round is joined with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain.

Round 1: Attach blush pink yarn to any stitch on the base. Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (80 sts)

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 3 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with fpdc around last st, join with sl st to top of ch-3. (80 sts)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *bpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with bpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 4: Repeat Round 2.

Round 5: Repeat Round 3.

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with fpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 7: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *bpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with bpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 8: Repeat Round 6.

Round 9: Repeat Round 7.

Round 10: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with fpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 11: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *bpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with bpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 12: Repeat Round 10.

Round 13: Repeat Round 11.

Round 14: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with fpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 15: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *bpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with bpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 16: Repeat Round 14.

Round 17: Repeat Round 15.

Round 18: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *fpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with fpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 19: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, *bpdc around next st, dc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with bpdc around last st, join. (80 sts)

Round 20: Repeat Round 18.

Round 21: Repeat Round 19.

Round 22: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (80 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Heart Motif Panel (worked flat, then sewn onto front)

This beautiful heart panel is worked in rows, creating a smooth single crochet texture that contrasts beautifully with the ribbed sides. The increases and decreases shape the heart.

Row 1: With cream yarn, ch 22, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (21 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (26 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (31 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (36 sts)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (41 sts)

Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (46 sts)

Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (46 sts)

Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (41 sts)

Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (36 sts)

Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (31 sts)

Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (26 sts)

Row 12: Ch 1, turn, sc in first 5 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next st* repeat from * to * 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (21 sts)

Row 13: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (21 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly

Now it's time to bring all the pieces together to create your beautiful basket.

1. Attach the Heart Motif: Place the heart motif panel centered on the front of the basket, aligning the bottom edge with the base. Sew it in place using the tail and a tapestry needle, working through both layers. Ensure the heart is straight and securely attached.
2. Create the Lining: Place the second base piece inside the basket, wrong sides together. Using cream yarn, sc through both layers around the top edge of the basket, joining them together. This creates a neat, finished edge and secures the lining. (80 sts)
3. Add the Handle: For the handle, ch 60, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (59 sts) Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the handle ends to the inside of the basket, opposite each other. Make sure the handle is evenly positioned and securely attached.
4. Weave in All Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in any remaining loose ends, ensuring they are hidden and secure.

Finishing

Lightly steam block the basket to shape, being careful not to flatten the textured stitches. This will help the basket hold its form and give it a professional, polished look. Place a towel over the basket and use a steam iron on a low setting, or use a handheld steamer, keeping the iron slightly above the surface.

Your Heartwood Hug Basket is now complete! Fill it with chocolates, love notes, or small gifts for a truly heartfelt Valentine's Day present. The textured stitches and romantic colors make it a piece you'll be proud to display year after year. Happy crocheting!