Small Easter Basket

Free Basket Crochet Pattern

Size: 3" (7.5 cm) in diameter, 1 1/2" (3.75 cm) high of the sides, 5" (12.5 cm) high with the handle.

Materials: Red Heart Super Saver 100% acrylic yarn worsted weight, 333 m (364 yds)/198 g - small amount of any color.

Hook: G (4.0 mm)

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch

Gauge is not important.
The thinner the yarn and the smaller the hook, the smaller the basket you'll get. To allow the basket to keep its shape, you will want a denser crochet, so choose a hook 2-3 sizes smaller than recommended on the yarn's label. E.g. for a yarn that normally uses a J hook, you will want to use a G or H hook.

Basket

The basket is worked in-the-round, each round is joined with a slip stitch.

Bottom

Chain 4 and join with slip stitch into ring.
Round 1: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 8 dc in the ring, join with sl st to the upper ch of the ch-3.  = 9 sts
Round 2: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in the same dc, *2 dc in the next dc - repeat from * to the end of the round, join with sl st. = 18 sts
Round 3: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in the same dc, *2 dc in the next dc - repeat from * to the end of the round, join with sl st. = 36 sts

The sides of the basket

Round 4: ch 1, work 1 sc in each dc around, work in back loop only!  Join with sl st.
Round 5: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), *dc in the next sc, ch 1, skip the next sc - repeat around, join with sl st.
Round 6: ch 3, *dc in the ch-1-space, ch 1, skip the next dc - repeat around to the last dc, skip it, ch 1 join with sl st.
Round 7: ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), *dc in the next dc, ch 1, skip the next dc - repeat around, join with sl st. Do not cut the yarn.

Handle

Continue from the spot you finished the round and chain 30 (or to desired length), (see photos 9, 10)
Fasten with sl st to the edge on the opposite side. (photo 11) Turn. Work a row of dc to the end of the chain. (photo12)
Tie off and cut yarn, leaving a tail. With the tail, fasten the handle. Weave in the ends. (photo13)
You can also make the handle separately. To do this, chain 30 (or to desired length), turn. Chain 3 as the first dc, make 1 dc in each 29 chains. Then sew the handle to the basket's edge.
You can decorate the basket with ribbons, flowers, etc.

Enjoy!