If you have children and are reading this then you’ll probably be thinking about the egg hunt this year (whilst also worrying about the vasts amount of chocolate the small people will consume in very short space of time)!
Free easter basket Crochet Pattern
Whilst I cannot control how much chocolate your children will consume (my daughter swallowed one of her own teeth in last years chocolate frenzy), I can perhaps give you an idea for a slightly different approach. I have just published my Easter decorations pattern which includes a Bunny, Chick, a Lamb, 3 different sized eggs and a decorative egg. The idea is to hide the crocheted items instead of chocolate eggs, which they then exchange for (a reasonable amount of) chocolate. They still get chocolate, I’m not a kill-joy! Plus they get to keep the super cute little crocheted animals. Win-win! The ‘surprise’ decorative egg could be exchange for an even fancier chocolate egg.
Buy the easter decorations pattern here.
Anyway, however you plan your chocolate binge day, here is a cute, free Easter Basket crochet pattern for you. Perfect for collecting all those cute little animals and eggs.
The base of this basket is designed in the amigurumi style, worked in a continuous spiral, use a stitch marker to mark the start of each round. The sides are created using shell stitches (also worked in the round without turning).
This pattern is written in UK crochet terms. You can purchase a permanent copy of this pattern here.
(The following list contains affiliate links where you can purchase some of the materials you will need).
You will need
YARN
Paris drops, aran, 100% cotton, 50g balls
Yarn A 11 opal green, 1 ball
Yarn B 39 pistachio, 1 ball
Yarn C 35 vanilla, 1 ball
Yarn D 19 light yellow, 1 ball
• 3mm hook (US C/2)
• Stitch markers
• Embroidery needle
Abbreviations
R Round
ch Chain
dc Double crochet
tr Treble crochet
sh Shell stitch (see below)
sl st Slip stitch
yo Yarn over
BLO Back loops only
st (sts) Stitch(es)
sk Skip
Special stitches
sh (shell)
There a several variations to be found on how to create a shell stitch. The shell stitch in this pattern is created by crocheting 5 treble stitches into one stitch.
Magic Ring
The base in this pattern starts with a magic ring (also known as a magic circle) which is an adjustable loop into which the first 6sts are made and then pulled tight to eliminate a hole at the start. Many tutorials can be found online on how to do this.
Changing Colour
In this pattern the previous colour is fastened off then the new colour is joined by either tying on or in any method you prefer.
Size
If using the above yarn, this basket will be approximately 12cm in diameter and 7cm tall (excluding handle).
To increase the diameter of the basket add additional rounds to the base increasing by 6 stitches each time. To decrease the diameter then make less rounds to the base.
Likewise, to increase (or decrease) the height of the basket just create more (or less) rounds of shell stitches.
These baskets also look great without the handle. A collection of 3 different sized baskets without handles would make a fabulous addition to a craft room.
Free Easter Basket crochet pattern
Make a magic ring in yarn A.
R 1 ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), 6dc into ring. Pull ring tight. (6sts)
R 2 2dc in each st around. (12sts)
R 3 (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. (18sts)
R 4 (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. (24sts)
R 5 (2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times. (30sts)
R 6 (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. (36sts)
R 7 (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. (42sts)
R 8 (2dc in next st, 6dc) 6 times. (48sts)
R 9 (2dc in next st, 7dc) 6 times. (54sts)
R 10 (2dc in next st, 8dc) 6 times. (60sts)
R 11 (2dc in next st, 9dc) 6 times. (66sts)
R 12 (2dc in next st, 10dc) 6 times. (72sts)
R 13 (2dc in next st, 11dc) 6 times. (78sts)
R 14 (2dc in next st, 12dc) 6 times. (84sts)
R 15 In BLO dc in each st around. (84sts)
R 16 Sl st in next st to close the spiral, ch1, dc in same st, *sk next 2sts, sh in next st, sk next 2sts, dc in next st* repeat 12 more times, sk next 2sts, sh in next st, sk next 2sts, sl st into 1st dc.
R 17 Ch3 (counts as 1tr as part of sh st), 4tr in same st to finish sh st, sk next 2 sts, dc into next st (i.e into the middle tr of sh in the previous round), *sk next 2sts, sh into next st (i.e into the dc from the previous round), sk next 2sts, dc into next st* repeat 12 more times, sl st into the 3rd chain at the start of the round.
R 18 Ch3 (counts as a tr which will be part of the last sh st in this round), sk next st, *dc in next st (i.e into the middle tr of sh in the previous round), sk next 2sts, sh in next st, sk next 2sts* repeat 12 more times, dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 4tr in next st to complete sh (with the ch3 at the start), sk ch, sl st into 1st dc.
R 19 As round 17
R 20 As round 18
Fasten off and join yarn B in the sl st at the end of the previous round.
R 21 As round 17.
Fasten off and join yarn C in the sl st at the end of the previous round.
R 22 As round 18 .
Fasten off and join yarn D in the sl st at the end of the previous round.
R 23 As round 17.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
HANDLE
Ch6 in yarn D. Leave a long starting tail for sewing on
Row 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc to end, ch1, turn (5sts)
Row 2-48 dc to end, ch1, turn (5sts)
If you require a longer handle add more rows. Fasten off leaving a long tail, and sew onto the inside edge of the basket.
If you liked this pattern, please consider purchasing a permanent copy here. Thank you.
My easter decorations pattern can be found here.
You may also like our Hazel Bunny pattern:
