Don't you just love Halloween? Every year I celebrate by baking soul cakes, carving pumpkins, and crafting. Always crafting. Some years I go all out and make a costume, other years it's a new decoration. And guys, I just do not have the time to make a costume this year. #momlife
I was hoping that my daughter would want to dress up as Max from "Where the Wild Things Are". But BB has had her Wild Child Crown for quite a while now so the thrill of dressing up as Max is long gone. That said, I still wanted to make something specifically for her.
LED Crochet Basket
So, after some thought I came up with this LED crochet basket. I mean seriously, a glowing trick-or-treating basket? I am 100% a sucker for anything that glows. The warm glow of soft lights seems to envelope me. I consider myself a true aficionado of glow. My fascination began the first time I rode the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. As you're cruising passed the jail it looks as if the tunnel you're in is burning. And the embers within the wood seem to crackle, just as if it was real. It's mesmerizing. Pretty candles and campfires give me this feeling too. But there's something so fascinating about crafting projects that give this effect! And I have a low-key obsession with LEDs because of this. This is definitely the first of many e-textile projects.
Note: LEDs do not emit heat so it's fine to use them with yarn and fabric.
In this project we're crocheting over LED rope lights. This is a very simple process, I promise! For about $5 you can get a 9ft LED rope that uses a battery pack. I bought mine during the Halloween season so it was very easy to find orange and purple. Green is also a great option!
Difficulty:
Easy
Terms:
U.S. terms
Supplies:
- Lion Brand Yarn, Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, (106 yds/97 m ; 170 g/ 6 oz)
- Hook — N-13 (9 mm)
- 9ft LED Rope Light with battery pack
- Purple or Orange, ~$5 at Target or Walmart
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations:
- st(s) - stitch(es)
- mc - magic circle
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- inc - 2 half double crochet sts in one st space
- FLO - front loop only
Size:
One size
Notes:
Ch 2 does not count as a stitch throughout
Keep your tension tight enough to wrap securely around the rope lights, without being too loose.
Video Tutorial:
Written Pattern:
Bottom of Basket
MC
Row 1: Ch 1, hdc 8 times in center of mc, sl st with first st to join, ch 2 (8 sts)
Row 2: inc in each around, sl st with first st to join, ch 2 (16 sts)
Row 3: *1 hdc, inc, repeat * around, sl st with first st to join, ch 2 (24 sts)
Row 4: *1 hdc in each of next two sts, inc, repeat * around, sl st with first st to join, ch 1 (32 sts)
Row 5: 1 sc in FLO of each st around, sl st with first st to join, ch 2 (32 sts)
Height of Basket
Now we'll begin the LED portion of our pattern.
Place the battery pack so that it rests on the top of the circle. Make sure that the wiring and battery pack are resting on what will be the inside of the basket. Pull the rope light so that there's about 3-4" of slack at the beginning of the project. You can adjust the tension of the rope light later on.
Rows 6 - 10 working over the led rope lights: hdc in each st around, sl st with first st to join, ch 2 (32 sts)
Row 11 working over the led rope lights: hdc in each st around, sl st with first st to join, fasten off (32 sts)
Reinforce the Bottom of the Basket
Trace the diameter of the bottom of the basket on to cardboard. Set this inside to prevent the bottom from sagging under the weight of the batteries and candy. You can also use the plastic material that is sometimes found at the bottom of reusable bags.
Handle
Ch 19, turn
Row 1: Sc in second st from hook, sc in each across, ch 1 turn (18 sts)
Row 2: Sc in each across, ch 1, turn (18 sts)
Row 3: Sc in each across, fasten off (18 sts)
Stitch the handle to the inside of the basket, about one row down.
Tip: When you're stitching the handle on, be sure to pull loops from the inside of the basket only. If you pull a loop that faces out, it will alter the way your basket looks!
Optional
After I was finished with the above steps, I made an additional circle from the "Bottom of the Basket" portion of the pattern. You'll have plenty of yarn to do so. I simply set this inside of the basket to give the bottom more strength. You could even stitch it to the bottom -- if you've got the time! I recommend setting another crocheted circle inside just because the battery pack, plus the candy, definitely add a bit of weight. But thankfully, the LED rope provides structure to the sides of the basket.
I hope you guys like this! If you make one, I'd love to see it! Just tag me @yarndrasil on your preferred social media <3
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