Here in the UK we are enjoying a holiday weekend, having Friday and Monday as Bank Holidays for Easter.   Tradition requires us to enjoy eggs at Easter, normally they are chocolate eggs but I was reminded today that not everyone enjoys or can eat chocolate. Whatever eggs you have this Easter, you may like a little basket to keep them in:

This little one is approx 12cm across by 12cm high (including the handle) and holds 4 large hens eggs or lots of little chocolate eggs!
Here’s a ‘recipe’ to make your own:

Materials:
Cotton DK yarn (I used Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, 100% cotton, 50g/92m per ball,1 ball in Saville (3670) for the basket and oddments of pastel colours for the flowers)
4.00mm (US G/6) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Abbreviations
All UK terms
St(s) = stitch(es)
Ch = chain
Ss = slip stitch
Sp = space
Ch-sp = chain space
Dc = double crochet
Dc2tog = work 2 dc together
Htr = half treble

Tension isn’t too important, just aim for a firm finish.

Instructions –  Basket
Foundation: Using Saville, 4ch and join into a ring with a ss. Alternatively start with a magic ring. 
Round 1: 1ch (does not count as st), 6dc in ring, do not ss to join but continue to work in a spiral (using a stitch marker on the first st and moving it up as you complete a round). [6sts]
Round 2: 2dc in each st around [12sts]
Round 3: (1dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 6 times [18sts]
Round 4: (1dc in each of next 2sts, 2dc in next st) 6 times [24sts]
Round 5: (1dc in each of next 3sts, 2dc in next st) 6 times [30sts]

Continue in this way increasing by 6 dc each round for Rounds 6 to 10, until you have 60 sts.

Rounds 11 to 22: 1dc in each st around, do not break yarn but continue to work the handle.

Handle:
30ch, miss 30sts, 1dc in next st.  Now work dc all around the top edge of the basket back to the start of the 30ch and work 1dc in each of the chain, now repeat this once (so you have done 2 rounds of dc along one edge of the chain.  You will find it neater if you work dc2tog on each side where the handle meets the top of the basket).  Ss to join, break yarn and fasten off.
Rejoin yarn to the other side of the chain and repeat the 2 rounds of dc.  Break yarn, fasten off and sew in ends.

Now embellish with a few flowers:

Flower 1 (on the right)
Round 1:  Start with a magic ring, work 6dc in ring, pull ring tight, ss to join.  [6sts]
Round 2: (3ch, ss in next st) 6 times.  Break yarn and fasten off.  [6 3ch-sps]
Round 3: Join second colour into any 3ch-sp, (1dc, 3htr, 1dc) in each 3ch-sp, ss to join.  Break yarn and fasten off.   Use one end to sew to basket and weave in all other ends

Flower 2 (on the left)
Round 1:  Start with a magic ring, 2ch (counts as 1htr), 8htr in ring, pull ring tight, ss to join.  [9sts]
Round 2: (3ch, ss in next st) 9 times.  Break yarn and fasten off.
Using a contrast colour, sew a cross in the centre of the flower.  Use one end to sew to basket and weave in all other ends.

Now fill your basket with eggs!

Whatever your choice of eggs, have a Happy Easter!

Happy crocheting xxx