Changing Leaves Basket

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: 8" diameter X 6" tall

Materials: Orange Pallet

US- I, 5.5 mm hook
410 yds Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Aran/yarn symbol "4" 145 yds; 3 oz)'
- Color A: Chocolate (115 yds)
- Color B: Fern (40 yds)
- Color C: Kelly Green (40 yds)
- Color D: Mustard (40 yds)
- Color E: Honey (40 yds)
- Color F: Rust (40 yds)
- Color G: Terracotta (40 yds)
- Color H: Cranberry (55 yds)
Helpful Video Tutorials: magic circle, crocodile stitches

Gauge: 3.5" diameter after Round 3

Special Stitch:
Crocodile Scale Stitches (see linked tutorial above): *starting at the first dc in a pair of dc sts, work 5 fpdc sts around the first dc moving from the top of the post to the bottom, ch 1, work 5 fpdc sts around the second dc moving from the bottom of the post to the top, sl st in next single dc st; repeat from * around, join to 1st dc (starting point for the round) with a sl st.

Notes:

This basket is made in two parts that are then joined together. This makes a more solid basket.
The handles are written in the style shown, but feel free to adjust them to your own taste, or omit them altogether.

Instructions:

Liner

With Color A, make a magic circle, ch 2 (doesn't count as a stitch here and throught), work 12 dc into the ring; join to 1st st with a sl st. (12 dc)
Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around; join. (24 sts)
Ch 2, *dc in the next 2 st, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join. (36 sts)
Ch 2, *2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join. (48 sts)
Ch 2, * dc in the next 3 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join. (60 sts)
Ch 2, *dc in the next 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st; repeat from * around, join. (72 sts)
Ch 2, *2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 5 sts; repeat from * around, join. (84 sts)
Ch 2, dc in each st around; join and break yarn. (84 sts)
With Color B, repeat round 8.
With Color C, repeat round 8.
With Color D, repeat round 8.
With Color E, repeat round 8.
With Color F, repeat round 8.
With Color G, repeat round 8.
With Color H, repeat round 8. Set aside.

Outer Basket

Round 1-8: With Color A, repeat rounds 1-8 of liner.
With Color B, join to any of st of Round 8, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1),
skip 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts,
*dc in next st, ch 1, skip 2 sts, 2 dc in the next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts;
repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch of ch-4. (42 dc)
Work Crocodile Scale Stitches around; break yarn. (14 Crocodile stitch scales)
With Color C, join to the center of any crocodile stitch scale, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), 2 dc in next sl st (the single dc st), ch 2,
*dc in center of next scale, ch 1, 2 dc in the next sl st, ch 2;
repeat from * around, join to 3rd ch of ch-4. (42 dc)
Repeat Round 10.

13 and 14: With Color D, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
15 and 16: With Color E, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
17 and 18: With Color F, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
19 and 20: With Color G, repeat Rounds 11 and 12.
21 and 22: With Color H, repeat Rounds 11 and 12, do NOT break yarn.

Assembly & Handle Instructions:

Insert liner into outer, wrong sides together. Continuing with Color H,
ch 1, sc through 1st st and any liner sts, 2 sc in next ch-1 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts,
sc in the center of the next scale and next liner st, 2 sc in the next ch-2 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and the next 2 liner sts,
*sc in next Round 21 sl st/dc and next liner st, 2 sc in the next ch-1 sp of Round 21 (working behind the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts,
sc in center of next scale and next liner st, 2 sc in next ch-2 sp of Round 21 (working behing the Round 22 scale) and next 2 liner sts;
repeat from * around, join. (84 sts)
(Handle round) Ch 1, sc in 1st 7 sts, ch 10, skip 10 sts, sc in next 32 sts, ch 10, skip 10 sts, sc in last 25 sts; join. (84 sts including chs)
Ch 1, sc in each st and ch around; join (84 sts)
Ch 1, sc in each st around; join. (84 sts)
Sl st in each st around; join and break. (84 sts)

Changing Leaves Basket Interior