Sunburst Storage Basket Free Knitting Pattern
Sunburst Storage Basket: A Free Knitting Pattern for Vibrant Home Organization
Are you looking to add a handmade touch to your home decor while keeping clutter at bay? This Sunburst Storage Basket is the perfect project for knitters ready to move beyond scarves and blankets. Knit in the round with super bulky yarn, this basket works up quickly and creates a sturdy, textured storage solution that stands on its own. The vibrant color blocking—featuring warm mustard, terracotta, and cream—brings a cheerful, sunburst-inspired energy to any room. Best of all, this free pattern is beginner-friendly, using only knit, purl, and make-one increases. Let’s dive into creating this beautiful and functional piece for your home.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience. This pattern is designed for super bulky weight yarn, which makes the basket dense enough to hold its shape without any additional stiffening.
- Yarn: Super bulky weight yarn (approx. 250–300 yards total) in three colors:
- Color A (Main Body): Warm mustard (approx. 150–180 yards)
- Color B (Contrast Stripes): Terracotta (approx. 60–70 yards)
- Color C (Accent Stripes): Cream (approx. 40–50 yards)
- Needles: US 13 (9 mm) circular needle, 16-inch length, and a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size (or size needed to obtain gauge).
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing the rim, and scissors.
- Gauge: 10 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit in the round). Always check your gauge to ensure the basket meets the intended dimensions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This basket is knit from the bottom up in one seamless piece. We’ll start with a magic ring or provisional cast-on for a clean, invisible base, then work outward to form a flat circle before building the sides and finishing with a sturdy rolled rim. Follow each round carefully, and you’ll have a beautiful basket in no time.
Base: Creating the Flat Circle
Setup: With Color A, cast on 8 stitches using your preferred method (a magic ring is ideal for a seamless center). Distribute these stitches evenly onto 4 DPNs (2 stitches per needle). Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round, and join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.
Round 1: Knit all stitches around. (8 stitches total)
Round 2 (Increase Round): *K1, M1 (make one by lifting the horizontal bar between the stitch just worked and the next stitch, then knitting it through the back loop)*; repeat from * to * around. (16 stitches total)
Round 3: Knit all stitches around.
Round 4 (Increase Round): *K1, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (32 stitches total)
Round 5: Knit all stitches around.
Round 6 (Increase Round): *K2, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (48 stitches total)
Round 7: Knit all stitches around.
Round 8 (Increase Round): *K3, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (64 stitches total)
Round 9: Knit all stitches around.
Round 10 (Increase Round): *K4, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (80 stitches total)
Round 11: Knit all stitches around.
Round 12 (Increase Round): *K5, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (96 stitches total)
Round 13: Knit all stitches around.
Round 14 (Increase Round): *K6, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (112 stitches total)
Round 15: Knit all stitches around.
Round 16 (Increase Round): *K7, M1*; repeat from * to * around. (128 stitches total)
Round 17: Knit all stitches around. You should now have a flat, circular base with 128 stitches. If your circle is ruffling, your gauge may be too loose; if it’s cupping, your gauge may be too tight. Adjust needle size if needed before proceeding.
Sides: Building the Vertical Walls
Now that the base is complete, we’ll transition to the sides. If you haven’t already, switch to your 16-inch circular needle, distributing the 128 stitches evenly around the needle. Place a marker to indicate the start of the round if you haven’t already.
Round 18 (Fold Line): Purl all stitches around. This purl ridge creates a crisp fold line that will help the basket stand up from the base.
Rounds 19–20: With Color A, knit all stitches around.
Round 21: Switch to Color B (terracotta). Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 22–23: Continue with Color B, knitting all stitches around.
Round 24: Switch back to Color A (mustard). Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 25–26: Continue with Color A, knitting all stitches around.
Round 27: Switch to Color C (cream). Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 28–29: Continue with Color C, knitting all stitches around.
Round 30: Switch back to Color A. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 31–32: Continue with Color A, knitting all stitches around.
Round 33: Switch to Color B. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 34–35: Continue with Color B, knitting all stitches around.
Round 36: Switch back to Color A. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 37–38: Continue with Color A, knitting all stitches around.
Round 39: Switch to Color C. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 40–41: Continue with Color C, knitting all stitches around.
Round 42: Switch back to Color A. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 43–44: Continue with Color A, knitting all stitches around.
Round 45: Switch to Color B. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 46–47: Continue with Color B, knitting all stitches around.
Round 48: Switch back to Color A. Knit all stitches around.
Rounds 49–50: Continue with Color A, knitting all stitches around. Your basket sides should now measure approximately 6–7 inches from the purl fold line, with beautiful, rhythmic color bands.
Rim: Adding the Sturdy Rolled Edge
The rolled rim not only gives the basket a polished, professional finish but also adds crucial structure to help the top edge hold its shape.
Round 51 (Fold Line): Purl all stitches around. This creates the fold line for the rim.
Rounds 52–54: With Color A, knit all stitches around. These three rounds will form the inside of the rolled rim.
Bind Off: Bind off all stitches loosely. A loose bind-off is essential here—if it’s too tight, the rim will pucker and won’t roll over properly. Consider using a larger needle or a stretchy bind-off method (like the Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off) for best results.
Finishing: Assembling the Rolled Rim
Now we’ll bring the rim together to create that sturdy, rolled edge.
- Fold the Rim: Fold the bound-off edge inward at the purl line (Round 51) so that the knit fabric rolls to the inside of the basket. The purl ridge should be visible on the outside, creating a neat hinge.
- Sew Down: Thread a tapestry needle with a length of Color A yarn. Working from the inside of the basket, sew the folded rim down to the inside wall of the basket. Use a whipstitch or mattress stitch, catching the bound-off edge and the knit fabric just below the purl fold line. Take care to keep your stitches even and not too tight, so the rim remains flexible but secure. Sew all the way around until the rim is fully attached.
- Weave in Ends: Using your tapestry needle, weave in all loose yarn ends from your color changes and the cast-on tail. Weave them securely along the inside of the basket, trimming any excess yarn.
Blocking and Final Shaping
While this basket is dense enough to hold its shape on its own, a light blocking can help even out the stitches and set the fold lines.
- Light Blocking (Optional): If desired, lightly mist the basket with water or use a steam iron (holding it a few inches above the surface—do not press directly).
- Shape: Gently shape the basket with your hands, ensuring the base lies flat and the sides stand up straight. The rolled rim should sit neatly at the top.
- Dry: Allow the basket to air dry completely before using. Once dry, it will be sturdy and ready to hold anything from yarn to magazines to children’s toys.
Your Sunburst Storage Basket is now complete! This project is not only a joy to knit but also a practical, beautiful addition to your home. The dense fabric and rolled rim ensure it will stand tall for years to come. Experiment with different color combinations to match your decor—the pattern is endlessly customizable. Happy knitting!
