How to Finger Crochet an Easy Jumbo Basket – YouTube Tutorial
You may have heard of finger knitting or arm knitting but did you know that you can also finger crochet? Crocheting with your fingers is easy, fun and a great way to use up some super bulky yarn or jumbo yarn that you don’t know what to do with! If you want to learn how to hand crochet, then this easy jumbo crochet basket is perfect to try learning a new crochet technique!
I have created a step-by-step video tutorial for visual learners to use alongside this written pattern to help you try hand crocheting for the first time. This is a great project for any skill level, even beginner crocheters or children who haven’t developed enough skill to properly hold a crochet hook! Being able to control the yarn using fingers without a hook in the way is a great for kids to work on their fine motor skills!
Materials for Finger Crochet Projects
Yarn and your hands! No large crochet hook needed! That’s it, this is truly is a craft that requires minimal materials but is super rewarding and a lot of fun!
You can finger crochet with any yarn, but since you are using your fingers in place of the hook you will not be able to make tiny stitches. So when you use a smaller yarn it will be very open.
For this project you will need 2 skeins of Lion Brands Squish Stitch, a jumbo yarn or a CYC7.
If you do not want to use the recommended yarn you can use multiple strands of bulky weight yarn to create jumbo.
A Few Questions and Answers about Hand Crochet
Can I crochet without a hook? YES! You can easily create crochet stitches using just your fingers. You form the stitches the same way as you would with a crochet hook!
Can you hand crochet with regular yarn? Yes, it is possible to crochet with regular yarn, but it will be easier to do with bulky, super bulky or jumbo weight yarns. You can also use multiple strands of worsted or bulky yarns to finger crochet with.
Is finger crochet easier? That depends on a few things. Are you a new crocheter or have you been crocheting for a while? Either or can make it easier or more difficult for a few reasons. As a new crocheter you do not already have a lot of experience using a crochet hook so finger crocheting might be easier for you to grasp the concept of. However, being new to crochet you also might not understand the anatomy of a crochet stitch so having some experience may make finger crocheting easier. It all really depends on the person and how you take to learning new things.
Is hand knitting or crocheting easier? One isn’t necessarily easier than the other, however, I have done both and I think hand knitting is easier. Not the learning it but, but the stitches are less work in knit to create when using your fingers or arms. Do not let that deter you from trying to finger crochet!
Can you finger crochet anything? Technically, yes. Do you want to? No. This is because with your fingers you can only make your stitches a certain size and not every yearn size or project will be comparable with that. Things like a chunky blanket, a jumbo basket, bathmats rugs are great projects for finger crocheting!
How do you finger crochet for beginners? The same way your would with a crochet hook! This is a great free pattern for you to try finger crocheting for the first time! Use the written pattern and step-by-stepvideo tutorial create your first finger crochet project!
Pattern Notes
To begin this pattern we will be using a magic ring or magic circle, if you are unfamiliar with this crochet technique please watch my tutorial video for this pattern.
Make sure you leave enough of a yarn tail so that you can pull the magic circle closed after working your fist round.
All of the stitches are created the same as if you were using a crochet hook but instead you are using your fingers.
The final round of the basket is made with slip stitches worked in the single crochet stitches from the round prior.
Each loose end of this yarn can be sewn shut, woven in and then tacked down.
Be mindful of your tension and if needed use the working yarn and the loops on your fingers to adjust your tension.
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Materials
- Hand and Fingers in place of hooks.
- #7 Jumbo Wt. Yarn
Color A – 26 Yards
Color B – 26 Yards - Sample Made Using:
Lion Brand Cover Story™ Squish Stitch Yarn
1 Skein – Color A – Chili Pepper [561-113BA]
1 Skein – Color B – Space Grey [561-150BP]
Gauge
- Fingers make it hard to give an accurate gauge, make your base and measure. Adjust as needed.
Sizing
- 13” Diameter by 5.5” tall basket.
Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations
- Chain Stitch – ch
- Stitch(es) – st(s)
- Slip Stitch – sl st
- Single Crochet – sc
- Back Post Single Crochet – BPdc – work a sc as you normally would but insert your hook from front to back to front around post of indicated st.
Pattern Notes
- Skill Level: Easy
- Sizes: 13” Diameter by 5.5” tall basket.
- * Designates a repeat.
- “Ch 1” does not count as as stitch.
- No turns at the end of each Round.
- “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
- “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
- “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next stitch to create an increase.
Easy Hand Crocheted Jumbo Basket
Starting with Color A
Round 1 – MR, 6 sc into MR, sl st to join. [6 sts]
Round 2 – Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, sl st to join. [12 sts]
Round 3 – Ch 1, *sc 1, 2 sc in next st, repeat from* to end, sl st to join, finish off.[18 sts]
Switch to Color B
Note: Move over a few stitches to add in the next color. This yarn is too much to work over and working in the join to add new yarn will be difficult.
Reattach your yarn.
Round 4 – Ch 1, FPsc in every stitch around. [18]
Continuous Round 5 – Sc in every stitch around. [18]
Continuous Round 7 – Sl St in every stitch around, finish off. [18]
