Crochet Buffalo Plaid Basket – Free Pattern
How many baskets does one person actually need? I’ve never had a good answer to that, and my free buffalo plaid basket crochet pattern is a big part of the problem. Buffalo plaid has been a favorite of mine for years, so it was only a matter of time before I HAD to design my own plaid pattern. And have you noticed? Plaid is having a big moment again for 2026, and I could not be happier about it! Grab your hook and let’s make one.
Free Buffalo Plaid Basket Crochet Pattern
This free buffalo plaid basket crochet pattern works up fast in super bulky yarn, so you could have yours finished this afternoon! The basket measures about 10″ x 8″ and has handles, which makes it easy to carry from room to room. It holds yarn, holiday decorations, blankets, and whatever the kids leave on the floor. The stitches themselves are simple, but the color changes come thick and fast, so this one is rated intermediate. Make it in red and black for Christmas, then switch up the colors and keep it out from fall through spring.
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What You Need to Crochet This Plaid Storage Basket
What I love about this basket is that the pattern is just a simple repetition of colors. If you can make a single crochet and change colors, then you can make this basket! The stitches stay simple the whole way through, so the plaid does all the showing off for you. (Hint: click those links to learn those first if you want to!)
My buffalo plaid basket works up so quickly and beautifully with Lion Brand Hometown USA super bulky yarn! Make your buffalo check basket in classic red and black, or go black and white for that farmhouse look. Either way, you’ll need about 160 yards of your main color and about 80 yards of both accent colors. These baskets are a fairly quick project, and will only take you a few hours to make! You are going to love decorating your home for the Holidays with a made by you Buffalo Plaid Basket!! ❤️ Want to create baskets just like the ones you see here? Below are the exact colors I used to make mine! Happy Hooking!
You might want to visit this roundup next!
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Buffalo Plaid Basket Colors for Every Season
A Christmas crochet basket in red and black is the classic, and I love that it’s festive for all your favorite winter holidays without being tied to any specific one, so they can be used all fall and winter long! Even better, since you can create any color combination you want, you can really use them year round! Pastels for spring, watermelon brights for summer, rich warm hues for autumn. Same pattern, totally different basket.
If you want the 2026 look specifically, black watch colors are everywhere this year – navy, deep green, and black together. That palette is one of the biggest Christmas decor trends for 2026, and it looks so good in super bulky yarn. I really love a pattern I can use for many projects! How about you? ❤️
Like Free Patterns? Then make sure you check out my most popular Free Pattern –> DC Dice Bag & Tray! Want to see even more? You can find all of my other Free Crochet Patterns <– Right here!!
Buffalo Plaid or Buffalo Check?
You’ll see both names floating around, and guess what? They’re both exactly the same look and close to the same thing! Big two-color squares, with a third blended shade where those colors overlap. That third color is what makes plaid look woven instead of flat, and it’s my favorite part of the whole design.
Just to mention… Gingham is the little cousin of buffalo check. Same idea, much smaller squares, and usually just one color plus white. Both are gorgeous, but this basket is the big bold buffalo version. In my opinion it’s the super bulky yarn makes those squares really pop!
Make Your Own Crochet Plaid Basket!
This basket pattern is perfect for intermediate level crocheters and the confident advanced beginner who likes a challenge. The stitches are simple, however the color changes are frequent and the handles are created using a technique that beginning crocheters probably haven’t tried before. This is such a fun project and you get a beautiful and useful way to brighten up your home all winter long! Perfect for gifts, craft markets, and more! All you need to get started is 2 skeins of your main color (Red or White), and 1 skein each of your accent colors (Dark Red and Black or Gray and Black), plus and a (US) N/P-15 10.0 mm hook! <– this one is TDF!! Have you tried a Furls hook yet? You’ll never go back to your old hooks I’m not kidding! ❤️ These are the hooks that I used to create my samples – and they were a dream to work with!! 😍
Need some help with the color changes or stitches? Check out the Single Crochet Tutorial and Color Change Tutorial on my blog! You can also reach out at any time! I am more than happy to help you with any questions you may have! Don’t crochet yet? I’d love to help you Learn to Crochet with my fun Crochet Tutorials!
My Pattern Testers Rock!
Thank you so much to my wonderful pattern testers!! They worked hard to make these stunning baskets and provide me with their invaluable feedback about the pattern! I absolutely love seeing your creations made using my designs! I genuinely appreciate my testers’ assistance in getting the pattern as accurate as possible, offering me their feedback, and for sharing their beautiful work! Check out these amazing Buffalo Check Baskets made by my amazing pattern testers!!
Thank you so much for testing the Buffalo Plaid Basket Crochet Pattern Brenda Meineke, Jennifer Myers, Michelle Graf, Sigal Algon, Renee Ward, Richelle Cricks and Stephanie Toohey!
Want the Power to Pause Your Project??
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BUFFALO PLAID BASKET CROCHET DETAILS
A really fun and easy Buffalo Check Basket Pattern!
Materials:
YARN: Lion Brand Hometown Super Bulky Weight 6 yarn, (100% Acrylic, 5 oz/142 g, 81 yd/74 m)
YARDAGE: 200-260 yards TOTAL, 140-160 yds of Main Color, 70-80 yds of both accent colors
Sample Colors:
RED BASKET: A Cincinnati Red (2), B Napa Valley Pinot (1), C South Dakota Black (1)
WHITE BASKET: A New York White (2), B Dallas Gray (1), and C South Dakota Black (1)
HOOK: US N/P-15 10.0 mm
OTHER SUPPLIES:
Finished Sizes:
Approximately 10” across x 8” tall
Gauge: 9 sc and 9 rows = 4 inches (Gauge is not very important)
Experience Level: Easy
Pattern Key: Written in US English Crochet Terms
st(s) – stitch(es)
sp(s) – space(s)
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
BLO – back loop only
yo – yarn over
FO – fasten off
Special Stitches:
Magic Circle Tutorial: https://youtu.be/biDTzo6IRiQ
STEP 1: Create a loop with yarn, place hook through the loop, yo and pull the yarn through the loop, keeping the loop open in a circle instead of pulling the yarn tight.
STEP 2: Ch 1, insert hook back in circle, yo and pull up a loop through the circle.
STEP 3: Yo again and pull through the 2 loops on the hook, 1 sc completed! Repeat Step 2 to create additional stitches. Hold stitches with one hand, gently pull yarn end with other hand to close the circle.
Color Changes: Video Tutorial
To change colors from A to B, complete the number of stitches in A indicated by the pattern, stopping at the last stitch. Create the last sc by inserting hook and pulling up a loop as usual. Drop the A and pick up the B yarn, yo and pull through both loops on the hook with B, to complete the sc st. Hold the unused yarn behind the stitches and crochet around it. Continue to create as many stitches as indicated in the pattern with B. Repeat each time the colors are changed.
NOTES:
- Read through the entire pattern first to familiarize yourself with the process.
- Repeat stitches between [ and ] the number of times indicated. Place all stitches between ( and ) in same space.
- This pattern is worked in a single piece.
- Pattern is worked in continuous rounds on the bottom of the basket. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch.
- After Round 12, you will work the stitches around contrast yarn, which helps to give the basket wall more support.
- This pattern is FREE, and has been thoroughly tested and tech edited. Please feel free to share any comments or ask any questions you may have! I welcome your feedback!!
- This post and all it contains including the pattern and photographs are my intellectual property and copyright protected property of GreenFoxFarms LLC © 2020-2026. You are welcome to make as many as you like to sell in person (not online), giveaway, etc. You may NOT sell, or alter and claim as your own this pattern. You may not use my photographs. This pattern is not for mass production.
- If you want to share this pattern online, you must only share a link to my blog post. You may not copy and paste my text or the pattern to another site. Thank you for respecting my work.
- By using this pattern, you are agreeing to abide by these terms.
Buffalo Plaid Basket Crochet Pattern PDF
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The gorgeous Buffalo Plaid Basket Crochet Pattern is available for a small cost in my Ravelry and Etsy shops! I would be so jazzed if you would go and favorite ❤️ the pattern on your platform of choice, which helps my patterns get seen by more people! Thank you so much for your support – you rockstar!! 🙂 The links below will take you to the Buffalo Plaid Pattern in my Ravelry or Etsy shop, so you can visit the shop you prefer to purchase the pattern or save for later, YAY!
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Pattern Download RAVELRY
Click the Buy NOW button below to purchase a Printer Friendly, Ad-Free, PDF Download version of the Buffalo Plaid Basket Pattern on RAVELRY!
Pattern Download ETSY
Click the Buy NOW button below to purchase a Printer Friendly, Ad-Free, PDF Download version of the Buffalo Check Basket Pattern on ETSY!
Free Buffalo Check Crochet Storage Basket Pattern
Plaid Crochet Basket Pattern Instructions
- R1-11 Do not join at the end of each round. Work in continuous rounds using a stitch marker.
- RED: A = Cincinnati Red, B = Napa Valley Pinot, C = Oakland Black
- WHITE: A = New York White, B = Dallas Gray, C = Oakland Black
BOTTOM OF BASKET:
Round 1: Make a Magic Circle with A. Ch 1, 6 sc in magic circle, (6 sc).
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around, (12 sc).
Round 3: [2 sc, sc,] 6 times, (18 sc).
Round 4: [2 sc, sc in next 2 sts,] 6 times, (24 sc).
Round 5: [2 sc, sc in next 3 sts,] 6 times, (30 sc).
Round 6: [2 sc, sc in next 4 sts,] 6 times, (36 sc).
Round 7: [2 sc, sc in next 5 sts,] 6 times, (42 sc).
Round 8: [2 sc, sc in next 6 sts,] 6 times, (48 sc).
Round 9: [2 sc, sc in next 7 sts,] 6 times, (54 sc).
Round 10: [2 sc, sc in next 8 sts,] 6 times, (60 sc).
Round 11: [2 sc, sc in next 9 sts,] 6 times, (66 sc).
Round 12: [2 sc, sc in next 10 sts,] 6 times, sl st to 1st sc to join, (72 sc).
USING (US) N/P-15 10.0 mm HOOK
- RED: A = Cincinnati Red, B = Napa Valley Pinot, C = Oakland Black
- WHITE: A = New York White, B = Dallas Gray, C = Oakland Black
For the wall each round will use 2 colors, either A + B or B + C. Work all stitches around the contrast yarn to give basket better support and structure.
WALL OF BASKET:
Round 13: Work in the BLO this round only. Sl st BLO next st, ch 1, (work 1st st in same st as ch 1,) [4 sc in BLO with A, 4 sc in BLO with B,] 9 times, sl st to join, (72 sc).
Work in both loops for remainder of pattern.
Rounds 14-16: Ch 1, [4 sc with A, 4 sc with B,] 9 times, sl st to join, (72 sc, 3 rounds).
Rounds 17-20: Ch 1, [4 sc with B, 4 sc with C,] 9 times, sl st to join, (72 sc, 4 rounds).
Rounds 21-24: Ch 1, [4 sc with A, 4 sc with B,] 9 times, sl st to join, (72 sc, 4 rounds).
Rounds 25-26: Ch 1, [4 sc with B, 4 sc with C,] 9 times, sl st to join, (72 sc, 4 rounds). FO A yarn.
Round 27: Ch 1, 4 sc with B, 4 sc with C, 4 sc with B, ch 10 with B (keep C yarn with chs) and skip next 12 sts, [4 sc with B, 4 sc with C,] 3 times, ch 10 with C (keep B yarn with chs) and skip next 12 sts, 4 sc with C, 4 sc with B, 4 sc with C, sl st to join, (20 ch, 48 sc).
Round 28: Ch 1, 4 sc with B, 4 sc with C, 4 sc with B, (5 sc with C, 5 sc with B, 5 sc with C,) in ch 10 sp work around chs and both CC strands, [4 sc with B, 4 sc with C,] 3 times, (5 sc with B, 5 sc with C, 5 sc with B,) in ch 10 sp work around chs and both CC strands, 4 sc with C, 4 sc with B, 4 sc with C, sl st to join, (78 sc).
Round 29: With B yarn, sl st in each st around, (78 sl st). FO and weave in ends.
You’ve made a gorgeous Buffalo Plaid Basket! Enjoy it or give it as a gift!
Crochet Storage Basket Gift Ideas
This basket makes a lovely gift for someone special in your life. That teacher who goes the extra mile, your awesome sister-in-law who always has your back, or your favorite aunt. Fill it with a candle and some good coffee and you’ve got a gift that keeps being useful long after the treats are gone. Don’t forget to make a couple for yourself too! As I mentioned, I use mine all the time!
Plaid baskets are practically guaranteed to be a hit at your holiday markets and craft shows! The basket is both trendy and useful, and you can make one in just a couple of hours, so you can price it to sell and make genuine profit! Make yours in a mix of festive colors to appeal to different holidays and decor styles. Just a note on selling – you’re welcome to sell finished baskets you make from my pattern at in-person markets and craft fairs. If you want to give me credit for the pattern it’s appreciated, but not required.
Buffalo Plaid Basket Crochet Pattern FAQs
Why is my crochet basket floppy instead of standing up?
Nine times out of ten it’s tension or hook size. Make a swatch! And if you feel you need to? Then go down a hook size from what the yarn label suggests and keep your stitches tight, especially through the base rounds. A firm base gives the sides something to build on. Super bulky yarn helps a lot here too, which is why I chose it.
Can I use a different yarn for this basket?
Yes, any super bulky #6 yarn will work. Just make a small swatch first and check your gauge, because a different yarn can change your finished size.
Pro Tip! If all you have is worsted weight, hold two strands together and go up a hook size. It won’t match exactly, but it works.
How do I keep three colors of yarn from tangling?
This is the question I get most. Keep your skeins sitting side by side and give them a quick reorder at the end of each round so they never wrap around each other. A yarn bag with separate feed holes does the same job. It takes ten seconds and saves so much frustration.
Will the carried yarn show through on the front of the basket?
A little peek here and there is completely normal, and honestly you won’t notice it once the basket is finished and full. Carry your unused strand toward the inside of the basket rather than the front. Dark colors show through the most, so keep those tucked in.
What tension should I use when carrying yarn?
Keep your normal tension and resist the urge to pull tight at the color changes. Tugging the carried strand is what makes the fabric cinch and pucker. If your rounds start pulling in, that’s usually the reason. Loosen up your grip and it evens right out.
Can I make the basket bigger or smaller?
You sure can! Add or subtract rounds in the base to change the width, and add or subtract rows to change the height. Just keep the plaid repeat in mind as you go, because changing the stitch count will shift where your color blocks land.
How do you wash a crochet basket?
Spot clean it when you can. For a full wash, hand wash in cool water, squeeze gently, then reshape it while it’s damp and let it air dry over a bowl or box the right size. Acrylic can handle a gentle machine cycle, but always reshape it wet.
Do I need to stiffen or line the basket?
With super bulky yarn and tight tension, you shouldn’t need to. If yours came out softer than you’d like, a light fabric stiffener works, or slip a piece of plastic canvas into the base. A fabric lining is nice if you’re gifting it, though it isn’t required.
Can I make this if I've never done colorwork before?
I think confident beginners could give this free basket pattern a go! The stitches are simple, so it isn’t hard, it’s just busy. The color changes come often and that’s the part that takes getting used to. Try working a small swatch first to get the rhythm of carrying your yarn, then start the basket feeling confident.
Please Share your Buffalo Plaid Basket Makes!
I hope you will enjoy this pattern as much as I enjoyed creating it! Please share your fabulous Plaid Storage Basket Projects on social media and on Ravelry!!! I would love to see your finished baskets!! The best part about being a designer is seeing what amazing projects y’all have made with my patterns! It totally makes my day and it’s the reason I do what I do!! (Confession: I am also in it for the yarn!! 😉)
Do you LOVE Free Crochet Patterns (<– like these) and would you like to see more of them on my blog? If so, please help me do so by sharing this blog Post with you crochet loving friends, and subscribing to my VIP newsletter! Thank so much for your support and for joining me on this journey, filled with yarn! If you have questions or need help of any kind with the pattern, don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment on the blog. I’m here to help!
Make sure to share your pics and tag #greenfoxfarms #greenfoxfarmsdesigns @greenfoxfarms on any social media! Please share your finished creations on Ravelry too!
Want the Power to Pause Your Project??
Want a better way to keep track of your works in progress? Download a FREE copy of my Printable WIP Cards and never forget which hook, or yarn, or pattern you were using again!
Thank you for this lovely pattern!
You are so welcome!! Enjoy it!! 😊
Lisa Fox
I can’t download the pattern for the plaid basket . Just wondering how I could get it please and thank you Deb
Hi Deb,
I’m sorry that you had difficulty getting the pattern. I sent you an email!
Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa Fox
Too much trouble to get the coupon code. Wasted at least half hour or more and still no code. I’ll just find another basket pattern.
Hi Val,
I’m sorry to hear that you had difficulty getting the pattern, that is frustrating!! I have sent you an email. 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting today,
Lisa Fox
I love this basket! It’s so super festive and gorgeous! I tried to get the pattern with the code but was unable to download the PDF. Maybe something went wrong…. Such a bummer:(
Thanks for visiting! I sent you an email. 🙂
Lisa Fox