Basket knitting advice needed please

[redundantMother]

I am currently knitting baskets. Base is fine : k row p row. But pattern states for sides / body : k1 p1 first row. P1 k1 next row as the pattern to repeat. ( not sure what this is called). It looks great - but doesn’t feel very firm. It seems a bit floppy.

Can anyone recommend a better stitch pattern for firmer sides / body please?

Using 8mm circular with cygnet seriously chunky.

Thanks in advance - any advice greatly appreciated ! 🙂

Have you tried a smaller needle?

Garter stitch should give a denser fabric.

Yep you need a much smaller needle to go with that yarn and pattern to make it stiffer. However if you change now, you will most likely end up with more of a vase shape - wide, floppy base with narrower, tighter sides. So you may decide to go back to the start.
Ummm did you do the dreaded swatch first to see how firm it would be….?