Ready to trick-or-treat in style? This spooky spiderweb crochet candy basket is the ultimate handmade decor piece to welcome ghosts and goblins to your door this Halloween.
Quick Facts
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Finished size: 8 inches (20 cm) diameter, 5.5 inches (14 cm) height
- Yarn: Bulky weight (No. 5) cotton or acrylic blend (approx. 180 yards black, 35 yards white)
- Hook: US J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook
- Stitches used: ch, sl st, sc, BLO
- Time to make: 3 to 4 hours
Size customization tips are included further down in this guide.
What Makes This Crochet Halloween Candy Basket Special
This basket is designed with sturdiness and structure in mind. By working the flat single crochet base in continuous rounds, you get a solid bottom that won’t sag under the weight of heavy chocolates. The magic happens when you transition up the sides using a single back loop only (BLO) round, creating a sharp, crisp edge that gives the basket its cylindrical shape. Finally, the white spiderweb is added using surface slip stitches directly onto the black sides, mimicking a real web without complicated colorwork.
Skill Level
- Working in the round and flat circles
- Back loop only (BLO) techniques
- Surface slip stitching for embroidery and embellishment
- Reassurance line: If you can single crochet in a circle, you have all the skills needed to complete this project!
Finished Measurements
| Dimension | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 8.0 in | 20.3 cm |
| Height | 5.5 in | 14.0 cm |
Materials You Will Need
| Material | Color | Fiber & Weight | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Yarn (A) | Black | Bulky (5) Cotton/Acrylic | 180 yards / 165 meters |
| Contrast Yarn (B) | White | Bulky (5) Cotton/Acrylic | 35 yards / 32 meters |
| Hook | — | US J/10 (6.0 mm) | 1 hook |
| Notions | — | Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors | — |
Yarn Suggestions
| Yarn Line | Weight | Skein Yardage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernat Maker Home Dec | Bulky (5) | 317 yards | Excellent structure for baskets |
| Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick | Super Bulky (6) — adjust hook | 106 yards | Very sturdy, check gauge |
| Lily Sugar’n Cream Mega Bulky | Bulky (5) | 136 yards | 100% cotton, great crisp shape |
⚠️ Note: Avoid very stretchy or fuzzy yarns like roving or mohair, as they obscure the surface slip-stitch web pattern and won’t hold the basket upright.
Gauge
- 12 sc and 13 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) using US J/10 (6.0 mm) hook in single crochet.
- Rnds 1 to 6 of the flat circle base = 3.5 inches (9 cm) across.
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase (work 2 sc in the same st) |
| BLO | back loop only |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rnd(s) | round(s) |
| sk | skip |
UK conversion note: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.
Special Stitches Explained
- Magic Ring: Wrap yarn around your index finger twice to form a ring. Insert hook into the ring, pull up a loop, ch 1, and work the required number of sc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close.
- Surface Slip Stitch: Hold working yarn behind your work. Insert hook from front to back through the fabric, yarn over, pull the loop through the fabric and through the loop on your hook. Move to the next spot and repeat.
Pattern Instructions
Pattern Notes
- Work in continuous spirals for the base and sides unless otherwise instructed. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless noted.
- Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
Section 1: Basket Base and Sides (Black)
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 sc into the ring (6 sc).
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sc).
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18 sc).
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24 sc).
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30 sc).
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36 sc).
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42 sc).
Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6 (48 sc).
Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) x 6 (54 sc).
Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) x 6 (60 sc).
Rnd 11: (9 sc, inc) x 6 (66 sc).
Rnd 12: (10 sc, inc) x 6 (72 sc).
Rnd 13: Working in BLO only, sc in each st around (72 sc).
Rnds 14 to 30: Sc in each st around (72 sc).
✅ Checkpoint: At the end of Rnd 30, your basket walls should stand upright cleanly from the BLO turning round. Fasten off Black, weave in ends.
Section 2: Spiderweb Embellishment (White)
Using White yarn and the surface slip stitch technique, add the web details to the outside of the basket walls.
* Vertical Anchor Lines: Create 6 vertical straight lines of surface slip stitches spaced evenly apart around the basket circumference, running from Rnd 15 up to Rnd 28.
* Horizontal Web Arcs: Working from the bottom of the web to the top (Rnd 18, Rnd 22, and Rnd 26), create scalloped chains or surface slip stitch curves connecting each vertical line to form the web structure shown in the photos. Fasten off securely and hide all tails inside the basket.
Assembly and Finishing
- Check that all yarn tails are securely woven into the wrong side of the fabric.
- Steam or lightly block the basket if needed to shape the cylinder evenly. Fill with your favorite wrapped candies!
Size Customization Tips
To make your basket wider, simply continue the flat base increase rounds (adding 6 stitches per round), making sure to adjust your side stitch counts accordingly. Each additional round on the base adds approximately 0.6 inches to the overall diameter.
Care Instructions
Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not machine wash or submerge fully if using non-washable fibers. Reshape while damp and allow to air dry completely.
FAQ
Can I use super bulky yarn instead?
Yes, but your basket will turn out larger and require more yardage. Make sure to match your hook size to the yarn recommendation.
How do I make the basket stiffer?
You can hold a strand of stiff nylon cord or clear millinery wire along with your black yarn while crocheting the sides, or starch the finished basket lightly.
Is this safe for young children?
This basket makes a wonderful decor piece or supervised trick-or-treat bag. Ensure no loose yarn tails or small parts are accessible if given to toddlers.
Happy Crocheting!
I hope you love creating your spooky spiderweb basket! Save this pin on Pinterest to share with fellow makers, and drop a comment below letting me know what kind of candy you plan to fill it with this Halloween.
📄 Your free PDF pattern