A small, soft figure of Saint Nicholas fits comfortably in your palm and brings a gentle touch of the holidays to any mantelpiece or desk. These miniature handmade friends possess a firm shape that keeps them upright, standing just a few inches tall. They offer a rewarding experience for anyone who enjoys working with fine cotton thread to create smooth, dense surfaces. You will learn to use a simple tight single crochet technique that ensures no stuffing peeks through the sides. Whether you plan to hang them on a branch or tuck them into a stocking, these figures make thoughtful, quick gifts for friends.

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Why You’ll Love This Pattern

This beginner-friendly project creates a structured, durable crochet basket using the sturdy waistcoat stitch. It is a quick weekend make that utilizes a single skein of bulky yarn, making it an ideal choice for using up leftover stash materials. The resulting basket maintains its shape perfectly due to the tight tension of the waistcoat stitch, providing a reliable storage solution for small craft supplies or desktop accessories. Because this pattern relies on simple, repeating rounds, it allows for a meditative rhythm that is easy to pick up and put down as your schedule allows.

I managed to finish this basket in just one afternoon and it holds all my stitch markers perfectly on my desk. The instructions were very clear and the result looks professional.

— Sarah, hobbyist crocheter

Pattern Overview & Skill Level

Skill Level: Beginner
Approximate Time: 2–3 hours
Construction: Worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up, using the waistcoat stitch for a dense, knit-like texture
Finished Dimensions & Sizing: 6 inches in diameter and 5 inches in height

Materials & Supplies Needed

Yarn: Super Bulky #6, cotton-blend cord or t-shirt yarn, approximately 100 yards
Hook Size: 8.0 mm / L-11
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving ends, scissors
Safe yarn substitutions: Any cotton-based chunky cord works best to maintain stiffness. Using acrylic yarn will result in a much softer basket that may require a stiffening agent or a fabric liner to stand upright.

Stitch Guide & Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR = Magic Ring
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
inc = 2 sc in same st
dec = sc2tog
st/sts = stitch/stitches
Waistcoat Stitch: Also known as knit stitch; work a single crochet by inserting the hook into the center of the “V” of the stitch below instead of through the top loops.

Step-by-Step Pattern Instructions

Basket Base

Rnd 1: Start with a MR, work 6 sc into ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (30 sts)

Basket Walls

Rnd 6: Work in BLO (back loop only) for this round only: sc in each st around (30 sts)
Rnd 7: Change to waistcoat stitch. Insert hook into the center of the “V” of each stitch from the previous round and work a single crochet (30 sts)
Rnds 8–15: Repeat Rnd 7 until the basket reaches the desired height of 5 inches (30 sts)
Rnd 16: Work 1 round of slip stitches into the top of the final round to create a finished, non-stretching edge. Fasten off and weave in ends securely.

Care & Washing Instructions

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap for minor dust or spills.
If a deep clean is necessary, hand wash in lukewarm water and lay flat on a towel to air dry.
Reshape the basket while slightly damp to ensure the base remains perfectly flat and the walls stay cylindrical.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Maintain loose tension when working the waistcoat stitch. Because this stitch uses a small insertion point, tight tension makes it difficult to pass the hook through, which leads to hand fatigue. Always place a stitch marker at the beginning of your rounds to avoid losing your count, as the “V” stitches can visually blend together. When finishing, weave your yarn tail through the base of the final round stitches horizontally to make the ending point invisible. To adjust the size of the basket, increase the number of rounds in the base by adding 6 stitches per round, keeping in mind that a larger base requires more yarn and may lead to side-wall sagging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different yarn weight for this pattern?

Using a lighter weight yarn will significantly reduce the finished size and the basket will not stand up on its own. It is best to stick to super bulky weight materials for structural integrity.

Is the waistcoat stitch difficult to learn?

It requires a slightly different hand position than standard single crochet, but after the first two rounds, the technique becomes intuitive. Focus on keeping your stitches loose to ensure the hook passes easily through the center of the stitch.

How can I make the basket stiffer?

If you find your basket is slouching, you can lightly spray the finished piece with fabric starch or use a liquid fabric stiffener. Ensure it is completely dry before adding any items inside.

Can I sell items made from this pattern?

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this guide. Please credit the pattern design to help other makers find our resources.

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Your finished miniature holiday figure is a charming piece that brings cheer to any space you choose for it. You might consider using a thinner embroidery floss to create an even smaller version, or swap the standard red yarn for a deep burgundy for a rustic aesthetic. Snap a clear photo of your creation and tag us on your preferred social platform to share your progress. We invite you to browse our full archive of free holiday patterns for more seasonal inspiration to fill your winter afternoons.