Basketweave Water Bottle Sling: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Basketweave Water Bottle Sling is the perfect little project for anyone who wants a practical accessory that still looks handmade and stylish. It's designed for advanced beginners who are comfortable with double crochet and ready to try front-post and back-post stitches for the first time. The textured basketweave body, worked in crisp horizontal navy and white stripes, gives it a woven, almost fabric-like look, while the flat round base and simple single crochet strap keep it sturdy and easy to wear. Slip it over your shoulder and your bottle stays close at hand at the gym, on a hike, or on your daily walk.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) linen blend, approx. 120 yd (110 m) total: 60 yd (55 m) navy (A), 60 yd (55 m) white (B). Sample used Knit Picks Lindy Chain (70% linen, 30% cotton; 170 yd/50 g) in Navy and White.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
• Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker, measuring tape, scissors. Optional: one button or toggle.
• Finished size: Circumference approx. 9.5" (24 cm), height approx. 7" (18 cm), base diameter approx. 3" (7.5 cm). Strap approx. 40" (102 cm) long, adjustable.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• fpdc – front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, from the front, so it pops forward
• bpdc – back post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, from the back, so it recedes
• inc – increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch
• sl st – slip stitch
• MR – magic ring
• rep – repeat
• sts – stitches

Gauge

16 sts and 12 rows = 4" (10 cm) in basketweave pattern (fpdc/bpdc groups). Work a small swatch in the round and measure across the middle of the fabric; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your tension even on the post stitches — loose fpdc/bpdc will make the basketweave look sloppy, so give each one a gentle tug after working it.
• Use a stitch marker at the start of each round; the joined rounds can drift, and the marker keeps your stripe counts accurate.
• Carry the unused color loosely up the inside of the work when you change colors, so you don't have to weave in dozens of ends.
• Check the fit on your bottle as you go — if your bottle is wider than standard, add one more increase round to the base (54 sts) and adjust the body repeats accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Base (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts). Join with sl st to first sc. (48 sts)

Body (Color A)

Rnd 1: ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch-2 (48 dc).

Rnd 2: ch 2, *fpdc around next 4 sts, bpdc around next 4 sts; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-2 (48 sts).

Rnd 3: ch 2, *bpdc around next 4 sts, fpdc around next 4 sts; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of ch-2 (48 sts).

Rnd 4: rep Rnd 2 (48 sts).

Rnd 5: rep Rnd 3 (48 sts).

Change to Color B.

Rnds 6–9: rep Rnds 2–3 twice (48 sts).

Change to Color A.

Rnds 10–13: rep Rnds 2–3 twice (48 sts).

Change to Color B.

Rnds 14–17: rep Rnds 2–3 twice (48 sts).

Change to Color A.

Rnds 18–21: rep Rnds 2–3 twice (48 sts). Do not fasten off.

Top Edging (Color A)

Rnd 22: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (48 sc). Fasten off.

Strap (Color B)

Leave a 6" tail. Ch 4.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (3 sc).

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (3 sc).

Rows 3–end: rep Row 2 until strap measures 40" (102 cm) or your desired length. Fasten off, leaving a 6" tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Attach the strap ends to opposite sides of the body at Rnd 22, with the two attachment points approx. 3" (7.5 cm) apart, using the yarn tails and yarn needle. Sew each end securely through the top edging, then weave in all ends on the wrong side. If you'd like an adjustable strap, sew a button or toggle at one strap end and use a gap between stitches on the other side as a buttonhole. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the cylinder over a bottle or jar; let it dry completely so the basketweave texture sets.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the stripes for a single color, or use a self-striping yarn, to let the basketweave texture be the star.
• Make the strap longer and wear it crossbody, or shorten it to a wristlet for a hands-free bottle cozy.
• Add a small drawstring or a folded-over cuff at the top for extra security on taller bottles.