One of my favorite crochet techniques is the basketweave. It looks complicated, like it took a long time to accomplish, but it really could not be any simpler. It’s so easy that once my students have mastered the basics of crochet, this is often the first “pattern” I set them on. It gives them such

One of my favorite crochet techniques is the basketweave. It looks complicated, like it took a long time to accomplish, but it really could not be any simpler. It’s so easy that once my students have mastered the basics of crochet, this is often the first “pattern” I set them on. It gives them such a sense of accomplishment to see something that looks technically complicated finished and then to hear everyone gush over it.

The only thing you need to know how to do in order to work the basketweave technique is the double crochet stitch. What makes the pattern texture is WHERE the stitch is created.  Instead of working the stitch in the hole at the top of the stitch in the row below, you’ll work your double crochet around the post of the stitch in the row below. Follow along to the steps below and learn how to create the basic basketweave technique.

• Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC): To begin, yarn over. Instead of going into the hole at the top of the stitch, you’ll put your hook into the space between the two stitches below, from front to back, then bring your hook across the back of the stitch and up through the space to the left of the post. This will make the POST of the stitch sit on the front of the crochet hook.  Work the double crochet as normal.
  

• Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC): This is worked the same way as the FPDC, however, you’ll bring your hook through the hole to the right of the stitch from BACK to FRONT, take your hook across the stitch in the front and drop your hook down through the space to the left of the stitch. This puts the POST of the stitch on the back of the crochet hook.
  

Here is the pattern I usually give my students, setting them to work on a square that we later turn into a pillow cover. Because this stitch is worked using a multiple of 8, it can be adapted to any pattern – from a beautiful baby blanket to a lovely winter sweater. It’s also possible to work this same technique in the round on a hat. 

• Row 1 (Foundation Row): Chain a multiple of 8. Dc in fourth chain from the hook and into each chain across.
  

• Row 2: Ch 2, sk 1st st, *Fpdc in next 4 sts, Bpdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 3: Ch 2, sk 1st st, Bpdc in next 4 sts, Fpdc in next 4 sts, rep from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
  

• Row 4: Ch 2, sk 1st st, *Fpdc in next 4 sts, Bpdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 5: Ch 2, sk 1st st, *Fpdc in next 4 sts, Bpdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 6: Ch 2, sk 1st st, Bpdc in next 4 sts, Fpdc in next 4 sts, rep from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 7: Ch 2, sk 1st st, *Fpdc in next 4 sts, Bpdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * across and hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 8: Ch 2, sk 1st st, Bpdc in next 4 sts, Fpdc in next 4 sts, rep from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
  
• Row 9: Ch 2, sk 1st st, Bpdc in next 4 sts, Fpdc in next 4 sts, rep from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 10: Ch 2, sk 1st st, *Fpdc in next 4 sts, Bpdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 11: Ch 2, sk 1st st and Bpdc in next 4 sts, Fpdc in next 4 sts, rep from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.
• Row 12: Ch 2, sk 1st st and *Fpdc in next 4 sts, Bpdc in next 4 sts. Repeat from * across, hdc in the top chain. Turn.

Continue by repeating rows 2-12 until desired length.

If you’ve gotten the hang of this tutorial, try giving the Basketweave Cowl on the next page a try.