There is something especially lovely about a handmade Moses basket. Perhaps it is the traditional shape, the chunky crochet texture or simply the thought of a tiny baby—or a much-loved doll—being tucked inside something made stitch by stitch.

Crochet Moses basket patterns have become particularly popular with crocheters who enjoy practical projects made from thick cotton cord, T-shirt yarn and other sturdy fibres. Unlike a blanket that can take weeks of evening crocheting, these baskets tend to grow surprisingly quickly once you have worked out the oval base. The large hook and chunky yarn make them deeply satisfying projects too, although your hands may request a coffee break now and then.

You will find two quite different kinds of patterns in this collection. Some are full-size crochet baby bassinets made using thick braided cord, while others are miniature Moses baskets designed for dolls, teddy bears and imaginative play. The smaller versions are wonderful stash-busting projects and make beautiful handmade birthday or Christmas gifts for children.

Before making a full-size crochet Moses basket for a real baby, please remember that a pretty photograph does not automatically make a handmade basket suitable for infant sleep. In Australia, infant sleep products must comply with mandatory safety requirements. A baby’s sleep surface should be firm, flat, level, stable and correctly fitted, with a clear sleep space. Always check the finished basket against current Australian product-safety and Red Nose guidance rather than relying solely on a crochet pattern.

Full-Size Crochet Moses Basket Patterns and Tutorials

Crochet Moses Basket With Hood Tutorial

This updated tutorial from YarnTh3ory uses 9 mm braided cotton cord to produce the firm, structured sides needed for a full-size basket. It is aimed at intermediate crocheters or adventurous beginners and includes the quantities required for versions with and without the hood. I especially like the modern, uncluttered shape, which would sit beautifully in a neutral nursery.

DIY Crocheted Moses Basket Free Pattern

This is the earlier YarnTh3ory crochet Moses basket tutorial, and it remains a useful free resource if you prefer following a straightforward blog pattern. The substantial 9 mm cotton cord gives the basket wonderful stitch definition and helps it hold its oval shape. Choose your colour carefully because this is one of those projects that can become a real nursery feature.

Moses Baby Basket Free Pattern and Video

If you learn more easily by watching someone crochet, this pattern includes both written instructions and a step-by-step video tutorial. The simple styling allows the chunky texture to do most of the talking, and you could easily adapt the colour to suit a modern, vintage or gender-neutral nursery.

Moses Basket Crochet Video Tutorial

This detailed video from Our Little Crochet Shop covers attaching cotton cord to a wooden base, working waistcoat stitch, changing colours, adding handles and finishing the decorative border. It is a useful choice for crocheters who want to see the construction techniques demonstrated rather than trying to decipher them from still photographs.

Modern Moses Basket Bassinet Pattern

This more advanced design combines tapestry crochet and waistcoat stitch to create a particularly sturdy-looking basket. The paid pattern includes a complete video tutorial, instructions for making a fitted sheet and an optional star embellishment. It could also be adapted as a roomy doll basket or even a cosy pet bed rather than used as an infant sleep product.

87 – Moses Baby Basket Crochet Pattern

This paid downloadable pattern is another option for crocheters who prefer a clearly defined pattern rather than designing the oval base and side shaping themselves. It has a traditional Moses basket silhouette that could be personalised with stripes, a contrasting border or neatly wrapped handles.

Crochet Doll Moses Basket Patterns

Shell Stitch Moses Basket Free Crochet Pattern

Designed to fit a little doll measuring approximately 7½–8 inches, this free pattern has a sweet shell-stitch trim and a wonderfully old-fashioned feel. The basket uses worsted-weight acrylic yarn and includes instructions for adding a supportive inner doll bed. It would make an adorable companion gift alongside a crocheted doll outfit.

Doll-Sized Moses Basket Free Pattern

This free Ravelry download was designed for a small, lightweight Waldorf-style doll. The softer crochet fabric hugs the doll rather than creating a rigid full-size basket, making it suitable for quiet imaginative play. It is also available in English and German.

Dolly’s Moses Basket Free Crochet Pattern

This easy-to-intermediate free pattern uses multiple strands of cotton held together to create a much chunkier fabric. Although it is intended for dolls, it gives you the satisfying look of a traditional full-size Moses basket in a manageable toy version. The substantial yarn requirement also makes it a good candidate for using cones of cotton or coordinating leftover yarns.

Small Moses Basket for a Doll or Teddy

This free little basket can be decorated with ribbon bows, tiny crochet flowers or a simple contrasting edge. It would be lovely filled with a miniature blanket and teddy for a handmade gift set. Because it is small, it is also a less intimidating way to practise crocheting an oval base.

Cosy Doll’s Moses Basket With Bedding

This paid pattern includes the Moses basket along with a mattress, pillow and blanket, so you are making an entire little bedtime set rather than just the basket. The finished basket measures approximately 28 × 16 × 15 cm and the instructions include full-colour photographs. It is listed as an intermediate project and would make a particularly special heirloom toy.

Moses Basket for a Five-Inch Baby Doll

This paid pattern by Pam Schwartz is designed for tiny five-inch baby dolls and includes coordinating instructions for the mattress, pillow and blanket. It combines worsted and sport-weight yarn with ribbon, creating a more decorative, vintage-style finish. This is a charming choice for doll collectors as well as children who enjoy miniature play.

Crocheted Toy Doll Moses Basket Pattern

For readers looking for an Etsy option, this downloadable pattern creates a hooded toy Moses basket for dolls. The raised hood gives it the recognisable vintage bassinet appearance, and it could be customised with crocheted flowers, scalloped edging or a matching blanket in a child’s favourite colours.

Choosing Yarn for a Crochet Moses Basket

For a full-size basket, most patterns use jumbo braided cotton cord or similarly substantial yarn because ordinary acrylic and baby yarn are generally too soft to create firm sides. Some designs also begin with a wooden oval base, which reduces stretching and creates a more structured foundation.

Toy Moses baskets are much more forgiving. Worsted cotton, acrylic, T-shirt yarn or several strands held together can all work, depending on whether you want a soft carry basket or a rigid doll bed. If the basket will be used by a young child, securely sew on decorations rather than adding loose buttons, beads or long ribbons.

The colour possibilities are half the fun. Cream, oatmeal, sage and dusty pink create that softly styled nursery look, but doll baskets are a wonderful excuse to bring out the cheerful colours. I can already imagine one in lilac with a tiny floral blanket tucked inside—or perhaps a bright red version for a Christmas doll gift.

If sewing is more your thing, CraftGossip also has a free Moses basket sewing pattern for dolls. There is also a useful tutorial for sewing a new lining for an existing Moses basket, which is handy when the basket itself is still in good condition but the original lining is looking rather tired.