Sweet Little Easter Basket

Have you ever seen such a sweet little Easter basket in all your life? Hence the name, I suppose, but you must admit, it would look lovely as a centerpiece. It just melts my mushy little heart thinking of all the jelly beans, and Cadbury Mini Eggs and Reese’s Bunnies you could fit in this little thing. Yum…

But I digress.

If you crochet—and who doesn’t? (haha)–then you’re going to love this EASY project.

I’m not kidding–I made one and a half of these while watching Voyage of the Dawn Treader last night–which is fabulous, by the way…the movie, I mean…well, and the speed crochet too, I guess. So both.

It’s made in a continuous round…

using 3 strands of your favorite yarn. You know I’m going to say that I used Peaches and Cream 100% cotton–because I love it beyond belief–and it’s soft and comes in a million colors. Good thing because I’m making a few baskets and I need them all slightly different.

A”K” hook worked the best for me–but you can play with it.

Sweet Little Easter Basket

Beg at base of basket, with 3 strands your favorite yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 8 sc in first ch. Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 16 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around – 24 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around – 32 sc.
Rnd 5: Working in back loops only, sc in each sc around.
Resume working through both loops of each st again.
Rnd 6: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 7: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7 sc; rep from * around – 36 sc.
Rnd 8: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 9: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 8 sc; rep from * around – 40 sc.
Rnd 10: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 11: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 9 sc; rep from * around – 44 sc.
Rnd 12 : Sc in each sc around.

Rnd 13: Incorporate a piece of floral wire under each stitch and sc in each sc around. Note: Adding the wire is optional–but it helps the basket hold it’s shape much better.

Fasten off.

HANDLE
With 3 strands held tog, ch 31.
Rnd 1: Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 28 ch, 4 sc in last ch; rotate piece to work along opposite side of foundation ch (at the base of the sts you just worked), sc in next 28 ch–incorporating a piece of floral wire under these stitches, 2 sc in last ch; join with slip st in first ch.

Note: Again, the wire is optional–but it helps the handle hold it’s shape so it doesn’t flop over.

Fasten off.

FINISHING
Sew ends of handle outside top edge of Basket. Weave in ends.

And there you have it my dears. I do hope you’ll try this one. If you’d like help or if you’re new to crochet–go to Crafting Tutorials and scroll to the bottom. There are some easy links to show you the basics–step by step.

Do it–you’ll love it.

Now…to fill this lovely basket with all that good stuff. See’s catalog anyone?

Heh, heh, heh.