Crochet Cocoa Mug Storage Basket with Bernat Blanket BIG

When Yarnspirations sent me the new Bernat Blanket BIG yarn to try, I couldn’t wait to put it to work! This super-sized chenille yarn (available exclusively at Michaels Stores) works up incredibly fast and comes in gorgeous solid shades along with playful new Hopscotch colorways sprinkled with colorful flecks.

My original intention was to recreate one of my older favorites (a giant cupcake storage basket crocheted around a laundry basket – SEE IT HERE). Especially since the new Hopscotch colorway, Lovely Lilac, because the playful pops of color reminded me of frosting covered in sprinkles.

But after a few rounds, I quickly realized something…

Bernat Blanket BIG is BIG!

The stitches work up incredibly fast, but one ball doesn’t stretch nearly as far as I expected. Instead of forcing my original idea, I decided to let the yarn inspire something new.

Before I knew it, my cupcake had transformed into an oversized cocoa mug!

The brown became the mug and the teal stripe looked just like one of those cardboard coffee sleeves you get at your favorite café, and the fluffy Hopscotch yarn turned into a giant swirl of whipped cream with sprinkles. Add a crocheted straw (or stir stick!) and suddenly I had a whimsical storage basket!

Maybe it’s peppermint hot cocoa.
Maybe it’s strawberry whipped cream.
Maybe it’s birthday cake frosting.

That’s the fun of the Hopscotch yarn… those colorful flecks leave just enough room for your imagination.

The funniest part? Before I even revealed the finished project, I shared a quick sneak peek video of crocheting around the Dollar Tree basket, and everyone had different guesses about what I was making.

Some thought it was: a bunny basket for Easter, Winnie the Pooh’s honey pot, Halloween candy cauldron, a hot air balloon, the original cupcake, and some of you just like the striped basket that is fun and functional!

I absolutely loved reading all the comments! It reminded me that crochet is wonderfully creative. Who knows… maybe this same basket could become all of those things someday!

Bernat Blanket BIG Yarn

This project is made with Bernat Blanket BIG Hopscotch and Bernat Blanket BIG Solids, an exclusive yarn available at Michaels. I love how quickly the oversized stitches work up, and the cheerful speckled colorways add so much personality without any color changes. It’s a fantastic yarn for statement home décor, oversized baskets, pillows, and playful storage projects like this one.

I ended up using Caramel for the mug (could there be a more fitting color?), Frosted Green for the cozy coffee sleeve, and Lovely Lilac Hopscotch for a fluffy swirl of whipped cream covered in colorful sprinkles.

Yarn

If you’re planning a Michaels trip, now is a great time to pick up Bernat Blanket BIG! At the time of publishing this post, the yarn is 25% off with code HELLOJULY, making it a fun opportunity to try these exclusive colorways for your next oversized crochet project.

>>> Shop Bernat Blanket BIG Yarn HERE on Michaels.com <<<
>>> Shop Bernat Blanket BIG Hopscotch Yarn HERE on Michaels.com <<<

The Plastic Basket is from Dollar Tree. It’s call the Round Plastic Storahe Basket with Handles. For this project I popped the handle off but you could absolutely keep it on and even crochet around it for a super cute Easter basket!

>>> Shop the Dollar Tree Plastic Basket HERE <<<

It comes in 4 colors so you could coordinate with your yarn if you’d like. The size is 13.5 x 8.75 inches round. When you add the crochet basket cover, it actually becomes an inch or two bigger.

Materials:
– 4 Balls of Bernat Blanket BIG Yarn (links to yarn above)
– Size 20mm Crochet Hook
– Plastic Basket from Dollar Tree

>>>> You can find the 20mm Crochet Hook I used HERE on Amazon (affiliate link) <<<
Give your self a little time to adjust to the large hook and yarn. You may need to hold the hook differently than you usually do. It took me a little practice but once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing! I was able to finish this project in just a few hours.

NOTE: You won’t need a tapestry needle for this project! Bernat Blanket BIG is thick enough that all of the yarn tails can simply be woven through the crochet stitches by hand. Just tuck, weave, and wrap the ends through nearby stitches a few times until secure. For extra security, you can tie a small knot before clipping the ends short. The same method works when attaching the handle and straw: no needle required!

Crochet Basket Cover:
with Caramel Brown yarn
Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 10 SC in ring, join, chain 1 (10 SC)
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (20 SC)
Round 3: 2 SC in first, SC in next, repeat around, join, chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 4: In front loops only for this round, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (30 SC)
Round 5: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next 2, repeat around, (40 SC)
join in frosted green yarn (or whatever you want to use for the stripe for the mug), chain 1
Round 6-8: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (40 SC)
join in brown yarn after round 8 (fasten off blue), chain 1
Round 9: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (40 SC)
After completing Round 9, your crochet basket cover is finished.
Now it’s time to attach it to the plastic basket.

Round 10: Set the Dollar Tree basket inside of the crochet cover. The crochet piece should fit around the outside, with the bottom tucked snuggly underneath the plastic base.

Along the top edge of the Dollar Tree basket you’ll notice 26 large openings just below the rim. Your crochet cover has 40 stitches around the top.

Working with brown yarn still attached, crochet through both the top stitch of the crochet cover and one of the plastic basket openings at the same time, making a single crochet to join them together.

Since you’re joining 40 crochet stitches to 26 basket openings, some openings will hold one single crochet while others will hold two single crochets. Don’t worry about making it exact. Simply space the increases evenly as you work your way around. The crochet naturally stretches to fit the basket.

Join, fasten off, and weave the yarn tail in by hand.

Handle:
with caramel brown yarn
Chain 15. Starting in the second chain from hook, work 1 SC in each chain across. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Position the handle on side of the mug and use the yarn tails to tie and weave it securely through the crochet fabric by hand. Because the yarn is so bulky, a tapestry needle isn’t necessary. Weave the ends back through nearby stitches, knot if desired, and trim.

Frosting/Whipped Cream Topper Lid:
with hopscotch yarn
Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 7 SC in ring, join, chain 1
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch, join, chain 1 (14 SC)
Round 3: 2 SC in first, SC in next, repeat around, join, chain 1 (21 SC)
Round 4: 2 SC in first, SC in next 2, repeat around, join, chain 1 (28 SC)
Round 5: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (28 SC)
Round 6: 2 SC in first, SC in next 3, repeat around, join (35 SC)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

This topper isn’t stuffed! One of the things I love about Bernat Blanket BIG is that the thick, plush stitches naturally create a soft dome shape. Simply place it on top of the basket to conceal whatever you’re storing inside like extra yarn, pet toys, kids’ toys, blankets, or any other clutter!

Crochet Straw (Stir Stick)
With Frosted Green, crochet a simple 4-stitch I-cord until it measures approximately 4 inches long (or your desired height). Leave a long tail. Insert loose end through the top of the whipped cream topper (slightly angled to the side) and secure it underneath by weaving the yarn tail through several stitches by hand. Repeat with the second tail if needed until the straw stands upright.

Easy Crochet I-Cord using a Crochet Hook and Bulky Yarn:
Chain 3.
Insert hook into second chain from hook and pull up a loop.
Insert hook into third chain and pull up a loop.
3 loops are now on hook.
Slide 2 of the loops off of hook, pull up yarn through first loop on hook, insert hook into second loop and pull yarn through, insert hook into 3rd loop and pull yarn through loop. You now have 3 loops on hook again. Repeat.

>>> i-Cord Tutorial HERE on Yarnspirations.com <<<

I hope this project inspires you to give Bernat Blanket BIG a try and create a fun storage basket that’s as practical as it is playful. If you make your own Cocoa Mug Basket, I’d love to see it! Be sure to tag me on social media so I can share your handmade masterpiece! @RepeatCrafterMe

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