Mini Star Basket

These little baskets are a delight to look at. Perfect to decorate a desk or side table, and hard to miss, especially if they're filled with candy!

Size 8" across
Materials : Size 10 thread - 200yds.
ribbon - 2 yds
Glass measuring 3" across bottom for form.
Steel crochet hook size 8.
Gauge : 7 dc = 1"; 7 dc rows = 2".

Special Stiches -
picot - ch 3, sl st in top of last st made.

Basket:

Rnd 1: Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch3, 11 dc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch 3 (12 dc).
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join (24).
Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) around, join (36).
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st) around, join (48).
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, (dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st) around, join (60).
Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, (dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st) around, join (70).

Rnd 7: Working this rnd in back lps only, ch 3, dc in next st, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, (dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next 2 sts) around, join (20dc, 20ch sps, 10 sc).
Rnd 8: Ch 3, dc in next st, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) 2 times, ch 3, *dc in each of next 2 dc, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) 2 times, ch 3; repeat from * around, join.

Rnds 9 - 15: Ch 3, dc in next st, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) across to next dc, ch 3 *dc in each of next 2 dc, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) across to next dc, ch 3; repeat from * around, join.

Rnd 16: Ch 3, dc in next st, picot, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) across to next dc, ch 3, *dc next 2 dc tog, picot, (ch 3, sc in next ch sp) across to next dc, ch 3; repeat from * around, join, fasten off.
Rnd 17: Working in front lps of rnd 6, with top of Basket facing you, join with sl st in any st, ch 3, dc in each st around, join, fasten off.


HANDLE :
Row 1: Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 3, dc in ring, turn (2 dc).
Rows 2 - 40: Ch 5, dc in each of next 2 sts, turn. At end of last row, fasten off.

FINISHING :
Invert Basket base over the bottom of the glass and spread the fabric stiffener over it according to the instructions. Shape the basket as the stiffener dries, creasing the 'legs' of the star evenly.
Spread stiffener over the handle and lay flat.
When dry, weave ribbon through ch 5 sps of Handle and glue to secure at other end. Glue Handle to each side of Basket. Cut remaining ribbon in half, tie in a bow and glue to each end of Handle.