A Crocheted Basket

This is the first basket I've crocheted but it won't be the last. I used the free tutorial from Crochet In Color. I had first tried one that used single crochet for the entire basket, but I like the half double crochet for the base much better. 

The yarn I used is a Marble Chunky which turned out to be more textured than thick so I started off using 3 strands. I got as far as the base and the first two side rows but they were quite floppy so I frogged it and started over using 4 strands. It's nice and sturdy now. I used 2 large skeins and I had hoped to add handles but I ran out of yarn and rather than buy another large skein I stopped. I'm very happy with the sturdiness of the basket.

I expected to use an 8 mm hook but after experimenting I used a 6 mm. It was easier to make than I expected, but tiring on the hands so I couldn't do much at one time.

I did the whole basket in spiral instead of joining my rounds. I would do that again for the sides but not the base of the basket.  A seam underneath wouldn't be visible and I don't like the jog on the side of the base.

The free tutorial is here: http://crochetincolor.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/ombre-basket-pattern.html