I love stumbling upon thrifted materials like plastic cords and ribbons and pondering: What can I make with them?

Who doesn’t love an adorable trinket basket? Following the pattern below, I made a few baskets using plastic cords and ribbons. Each unusual material has challenges, so read through the tutorial to learn what I did.

Begin Pattern:

All the baskets are worked in the round without joining.

Rather than wait to weave in the ends. I crocheted over the ends, then trimmed them after 3-5 sts.

R1: Magic Ring, 6 sc into ring, pull ring closed (6sc)

R2: 2sc into each st, place a marker (12sc)

I like to place the marker on the last stitch made using clover locking makers. Remove the marker, then complete the last stitch. Then place the marker again. (see photo below)

R3: (sc into nxt st, 2sc into nxt st (increase made - see note))place marker. (18sc)

Note: every time you complete 2sc in a stitch, you increase by one stitch.

R4: (sc into nxt 2sts, 2sc into nxt st) repeat to marker, remove marker, place marker. (24sc)

R5: (sc into the nxt 3sts, 2sc into the nxt st) repeat to marker, remove marker, place marker (30sc)

You can keep making your basket base larger by increasing the number of stitches you crochet before you make 2sts in the next stitch.

Future Rows: (sc into the nxt (previous row +1), 2sc into the nxt st) (Because we started with 6sts we increase 6sts every round)(previous stitch count + 6) So Row 6 would be as shown below:

R6: (sc into the nxt 4sts), 2sc into nxt st) repeat to marker. (36sts)

After you have completed your base, then start crocheting in the round even. Stop crocheting when it’s the desired height.

When I started the first basket using the plastic cord. I knew I wanted it to have some stability. So I started with an E/3.5 mm hook. This was a little bit of a struggle to work the cord is a little sticky feeling too.

It did make a very solid basket. The bottom was very rounded. Because this was plastic, I put the bottom of the basket in very hot water and was able to soften it so it would set flat.

For my second basket, I went up to a 4.5mm hook to see if that was a little easier to work with and see if the bottom of the basket would lay flat without needing to heat it.

It didn’t make a difference. You can see how rounded they are; they don’t lay flat. So I also heated the bottom of the other baskets so they would lay flat. I’m unsure if I will make many more baskets with plastic cords.

For my wee basket (on the right), I completed R1-R4 and then crocheted even 5 more rows. In the second basket(left) I completed R1-R3 and crocheted even 4 rows.

For the third basket (middle basket), I got off count and had 20 stitches. This happens so don’t fret. This is supposed to be fun! - I completed a total of 10 rows. On the last round of the white cord, I worked into the back loop of the stitches. Then when I did the first round of the blue, I worked a single crochet into the one stitch, then worked a single crochet into the front loop of the row below.

I also have some gorgeous colors of ribbon. I pulled out ribbon scraps that were all about the same width. Then grabbed a hook and did a few chains to determine the hook size that felt right to me. The ribbon was much easier to work with and more like working with yarn.

What I did differently for the ribbon basket. When I was done working the base rows, I worked the first even round into the back loop. I think it helps shape the basket so the base lays flat.

Whenever I ran out of ribbon, I joined a new color. Sometimes that was easier said and done! I managed to add fairly short peices but it was fussy. Ideally you want a minim of 12-15 inches of ribbon just for ease. Longer if your ribbon is wide.

I made a few different styles of baskets as well. The one above was made with a very wide ribbon and used an N/10 mm hook. I completed R1-R3 and 2 rows even for a total of 5 rows. This makes a tray-like basket. Just perfect to drop some earings in.

The ribbon was about 1/2 wide, and I used and G/4.5mm hook. I completed R1-R3 for the base and 5 rows even so 8 rows total. This one would be great for holding change or yarn scraps, perhaps?

My favorite ribbon basket of all of them is this bowl-shaped version. I used 1/8 inch wide ribbon scraps using an E/3.5mm hook. I completed R1-R5 for the base, then completed two rounds even. Then I did one more increase round, then completed two rounds even for ten rows total. I find it perfect for holding some stitch markers.

What unusual materials have you used to make something fun or useful? Please share by dropping a message in the comments.