How to Crochet an Easter Basket

Make an Easter basket that is sure to become a treasured heirloom. Crocheted in cotton using the single crochet stitch, this basket is sturdy. Perfect for collecting all those eggs and chocolate bunnies! Work it in pinks and greens for girls or a blue and green combination for boys. Finished size has a 6" in diameter base with a 4.5" tall basket.

Cotton yarn – sport weight – approximately 240 yds Crochet hook – E or sized to obtain gauge Tapestry needle Crewel needle Scissors 2 pink buttons stranded embroidery floss - pink Color A – Hot Pink - approx. 100 yds Color B – Jade Green – approx. 20 yds Color C – Light Green – approx. 100 yds Color D – Pale Pink – approx. 20 yds Work a gauge swatch. 4" x 4" = 18 stitches x 32 rows.

With color A, work in rnds to form the base of the basket. Cast on with an adjustable ring (magic loop) and work Rnd 1 into it.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring. —6 sts Rnd 2: 2 sc into each st around —12 sts Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around —18 sts Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around —24 sts Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) around —30 sts Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) around —36 sts Rnd 7: (Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) around – 42 sts Rnd 8: (Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) around – 48 sts

Continue in this pattern of adding one 1 extra sc before the increase of 2 sc in next st until you reach Round 17.

Rnd 17(Sc in next 15 sts, 2 sc in next st) around for a total of 102 sts.

Now work in a spiral formation, working each sc in the back of the st. Work in Color A for 9 rounds. Fasten off and join Color B.

Work in Color B for 3rnds, stitching 1sc through both halves of the stitch. Fasten off and join Color C.

Work 1 sc in both halves of stitch for 18 rounds.

Finish last round with a sl st. Fasten off.

With sl st, fasten Color D onto first st of last round.

Work in scallop stitch. * Skip next sc, 5 dc in next stitch, skip next st, sl st in next st* rep from * to * finish with a slip stitch in last stitch.

With tapestry needle, sew in all ends.

To make the handle with around edge, use Color B and chain 60. Turn, work 1 sc in each chain. On last chain, work 2 sc. Work 1 sc in bottom of each chain. Work 2sc in last ch and 2 sc in next sc. * Work 1 sc in each stitch across row. Work 2sc in last 2sc. * Rep from * to for next 3 rows until handle is 1 1/8" wide. Fasten off. Sew in all ends.

Thread the tapestry needle with 12" of Color C. Position the handle over the beginning and ending scallops with an overlap of 1", sew it to the basket using the back stitch.

Stitch the handle to the other side. Sew in all ends.

Thread crewel needle with 6" of embroidery floss. Sew button to handle were it is stitched to the basket. Knot ends and trim. Cut more thread and sew 2nd button to other side.

Always check your gauge. If you have too few stitches for the gauge, increase your hook size by one size. If you have too many stitches for the gauge, decrease the size of your hook by one size.