Crochet Dumpling Basket Pattern: A No-Sew Bao Steamer Set

This crochet dumpling basket is a small, no-sew companion for a soft bao-style amigurumi. The rounded basket has a fitted top with a simple loop handle, and the finished set keeps the familiar ivory-and-brown look of a steamed dumpling tucked into its basket.

The closed basket measures 3.5 inches wide by 4 inches high. Its shaping uses simple half double crochet rounds, with one back-loop round creating a clear transition in the texture. The basket is worked in brown yarn with a 6 mm hook; the separate white dumpling uses a 5 mm hook.

Project Details

• Difficulty: Familiar beginner; comfort with the listed stitches is helpful.
• Finished closed basket: 3.5 inches wide and 4 inches high.
• Construction: No-sew basket and dumpling set.
• Basket: Bulky weight 5 chenille yarn and a 6 mm crochet hook.
• Dumpling: White super bulky weight 6 yarn and a 5 mm hook; the matching bao is made separately.

Materials

• Bulky weight 5 chenille velvet yarn in brown for the basket
• Super bulky weight 6 yarn in white for the dumpling
• 5 mm crochet hook for the dumpling
• 6 mm crochet hook for the basket
• Two 12 mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends (optional)

Abbreviations

• ch — chain
• sl st — slip stitch
• sc — single crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• inc — work 2 sc in the same stitch
• hdc-inc — work 2 hdc in the same stitch
• dec — crochet 2 stitches together
• FLO — front loops only
• BLO — back loops only
• FO — fasten off
• MR — magic ring
• st(s) — stitch(es)

Before You Begin

Use the 6 mm hook and brown yarn for every basket piece. The instructions use joined rounds: make the beginning chain, work the round, and join with a slip stitch where directed. Stitch totals appear in parentheses. Keep the hook and yarn specified for each part so the basket and the separately made dumpling remain proportioned to one another.

The basket bottom begins with 10 stitches and grows to 30. The basket top begins with 11 and grows to 33. The back-loop-only rounds form a visible ridge between the flat base and the sides.

Basket Bottom

Round 1: Ch 2. Work 10 hdc into the second chain from the hook. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (10)

Alternative start: Ch 1, work 10 hdc into a MR, tighten the ring, and join with a sl st to the first hdc.

Round 2: Ch 1, work hdc-inc in each stitch around. Join. (20)

Round 3: Ch 1, repeat (hdc, hdc-inc) around. Join. (30)

Round 4: Ch 1, hdc around in BLO. Join. (30)

Rounds 5–7: Ch 1, hdc in each stitch around. Join after each round. (30)

FO, leaving a tail, and weave in the end.

Basket Top

Round 1: Ch 2. Work 11 hdc into the second chain from the hook. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (11)

Alternative start: Ch 1, work 11 hdc into a MR, tighten the ring, and join with a sl st to the first hdc.

Round 2: Ch 1, work hdc-inc in each stitch around. Join. (22)

Round 3: Ch 1, repeat (hdc, hdc-inc) around. Join. (33)

Round 4: Ch 1, hdc around in BLO. Join. (33)

Round 5: Ch 1, hdc in each stitch around. Join. (33)

FO, leaving a tail, and weave in the end.

Basket Handle

1. Insert the hook under a stitch between Rounds 2 and 3 of the basket top, then pull the brown yarn through.
2. Ch 8, or use a different chain length to make the handle as long as you prefer.
3. At the opposite side, insert the hook under a stitch between Rounds 2 and 3. Yarn over and pull through to make a sl st.
4. FO, leaving a tail, and weave in the ends.

Finishing and Fit

Place the separately crocheted bao in the basket bottom and position the handled top over it. The original finished measurements for the closed basket are 3.5 inches across and 4 inches high. The companion bao is approximately 3 inches tall and wide. The basket and dumpling are designed as a no-sew set.

For the matching dumpling, use white super bulky weight 6 yarn and a 5 mm hook. The basket article provides the basket rounds above; it does not include the separate bao’s row-by-row shaping instructions.

Ways to Use the Set

The small soft dumpling and basket make a playful handmade gift, party favor, or market item. A lightweight version made with thinner yarn will come out smaller and can be used as a bag charm or ornament. The plush version is also a tactile little keepsake; keep safety eyes and small parts away from children who may mouth toys.

Helpful Notes

• Use the 6 mm hook for the brown basket and the 5 mm hook for the white dumpling.
• Work the specified BLO rounds as written; they create the change in texture.
• Join each basket round with a slip stitch, and check the stitch count before moving on.
• Changing yarn weight changes the finished scale, so the set may no longer match the stated measurements.
• Weave in the basket tails securely after fastening off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is the finished basket?

The closed basket measures 3.5 inches wide and 4 inches high.

Which hook should I use for each piece?

Use a 6 mm hook for the bulky brown basket yarn and a 5 mm hook for the white super bulky dumpling yarn.

Is sewing required?

The set is described as no-sew. The basket bottom, top, and handle are worked directly; the handle is attached with a slip stitch.

Can I use a thinner yarn?

Yes. The finished amigurumi will be smaller when made with a thinner yarn, so it may work as a charm or ornament rather than matching the stated size.

Make the Matching Set

With a 30-stitch basket bottom, a 33-stitch top, and a short chain handle, this compact steamer basket keeps the construction approachable while giving the soft bao a snug place to sit. Follow the round counts as written, and keep the two hook sizes assigned to their respective pieces.