Tray Stitch Basket - a 'how to' tutorial

Don’t you love it when those ‘happy accidents’ happen? I was playing around with yarn and accidentally discovered a new pattern which has fast become one of my favourites! The Tray Stitch is perfect for exactly what it implies – making shallow trays. It’s such a decorative and functional stitch that works up quickly. You’ll have a serviette holder, a place to leave your jewelry, a basket for your essential oils, or a place to rest your keys and sunnies in no time!

You will need:

1 Timber basket base (I used the 18cm square for this tutuorial, but you can use any shape or size)
5mm crochet hook for casting on
6.5mm crochet hook (if using a square), 7mm (if using a circle)
T-shirt Yarn (I needed less than 50m for the 18cm basket)
Jute twine or alternate colour for the trim (optional)
A small hook (ie. 4mm) to weave in the end

Due to the nature of the Tray Stitch, it’s much easier to watch it than try and translate it into words, but here is an overall guide to give you an idea of what’s involved. Watch the video here, or see below for the pattern in text.

*Join at the end of each round. You can see my method to join in the video.*

Rounds 1 & 2 Cast on to timber base using 5mm hook. There are different ways to do this, but I like to slip stitch (sl st) through each hole for the first round, then single crochet (sc) through each hole and sl st. You can find a tutorial and tips about casting on here and here.

Rnd 3 Sl St through the back loop only (blo)

Rnd 4 Sc in blo to end.

Rnd 5 Tray stitch to end. Tray Stitch: Insert hook in blo, collect yarn and pull back through, yarn over, insert hook underneath previous sc (just above the sl st), collect yarn and pull back through, pull yarn and hook high the top of the tray stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

*If you are happy with the height of your tray, you can finish here by adding your trim (sl st around) in the same or an alternative colour. If you would like the tray to be taller, you can add as many rounds as you need of sc or half double crochet (hdc) in the back loop only before adding your trim.

Rnd 6 Hdc in blo to end.

Rnd 7 Sl st to end in Jute Twine (optional) for trim. Finish off and weave in ends.

Congratulations! Your tray-basket is ready to fill with serviettes or trinkets or hair accessories…whatever your heart desires!