Crochet Puppy Easter Basket

Looking to add a touch of cuteness to your Easter celebration? Consider creating a crochet puppy Easter basket! This charming project combines the whimsy of a puppy with the practicality of a basket, making it a delightful addition to your holiday decorations. Using soft pastel yarns and simple crochet techniques, you can craft a basket that is as adorable as it is functional. Imagine the joy on children's faces as they receive Easter treats from this precious handmade creation. Whether you're an experienced crocheter or a beginner looking for a fun project, this puppy Easter basket is sure to bring smiles all around! Happy crafting!

Materials:

For the basket, I used Red Heart “Cafe Latte” 2 strands held together to make it thicker, but you could use a single strand of chunky yarn. I did another basket after this one and used Bernat Softee Chunky.

For ears and muzzle, I used a dark brown in Lion’s Brand Yarn

For nose and eyes, I used Caron Simply Soft in black and white.

I used a J hook for basket and handle. G hook for the rest.

Plastic Canvas (optional) I cut an 8″ circle to put in bottom of basket for stability.

Needle for sewing on parts. Small amount of stuffing for muzzle.

Abbreviations Used:

sc=single crochet, hdc=half double crochet, st=stitch, ch=chain, tog=together, BL=back loops, Inv dec=invisible decrease, hdcFP=half double crochet front post

Basket: (Use J hook)

With 2 strands held together of 4 ply yarn or using chunky yarn for basket and handle:

Row 1: Ch 6, join with sl st in first ch to form ring, Ch 2, 12 hdc in ring (12) Chain 2 does not count as a stitch. Join with sl st in 1st st.

Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around, join as before (24)

Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st around, join (36)

Row 4: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st around, join (48)

Row 5: Ch 2, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st around, join (60)

Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st around, join (72)

Row 7: Ch 2, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st around, join (84)

Row 8: Working in BL, Ch 2, hdc around, join (84)

Row 9: Working through both loops, Ch 2, hdc in next 5 sts, hdc next 2 sts tog around, join (72)

Row 10: Ch 2, hdc around, join (72)

Row 11: Ch 2, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc next 2 sts tog around, join (60)

Rows 12-16: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (60)

Row 17: Ch 2, hdcFP in each st around. (See picture diagram for stitch) Fasten off. Weave in end.

Yarn over, Insert hook around post of stitch, pull through and finish off as hdc.

Handle: (Use J hook)

Leave a long tail at beginning and end of handle for sewing to basket.

Row 1: Ch 4, sc 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (3)

Rows 2-52: Ch 1, sc across, turn. Do not turn at the end of row 52. Ch 1, sc evenly in the end of each row and st around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Sew each end of handle to sides of basket on inside of row 17.

Ears: (Use G hook)

Make 2. Do not join. Mark 1st st of each round.

Row 1: 6 sc in magic circle or Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)

Row 2: 2 sc in each st around (12)

Row 3: sc in next st, 2 sc in next st around (18)

Row 4: sc around

Row 5: sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st around (24)

Row 6: sc around

Row 7: sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next around (30)

Rows 8-9: sc around

Row 10: sc in next 3 sts, Inv Dec in next around (24)

Invisble Decrease (Insert hook in front loop of 1st st, do not yarn over but insert hook into front loop of 2nd st, yarn over,pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.

Row 11: sc around

Row 12: sc in next 2 sts, Inv Dec in next st around (18)

Rows 13-14: sc around

Row 15: sc in next st, Inv Dec in next st around (12)

Rows 16-20: sc around. Fasten off. Leave a tail for sewing.

Sew to each side of basket in the same position as the handle but on the outside of basket.

Muzzle: (Use G hook) Do not join rounds

Rnd 1: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 chs, 3 sc in last ch, work on other side of ch, sc in last 5 chs (12)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in 1st st, *sc next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st* Repeat between * (16)

Rnd 3: 2 sc in 1st st, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next* Repeat between * (20)

Rnd 4: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts around (24)

Rnd 5: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts around (28)

Rnd 6: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts around (32)

Rnds 7-8: sc around. Fasten off. Leave tail for sewing.

Sew to middle front of basket about 1-2 rows up from bottom of basket. Stuff lightly before closing.

Nose: (Use G hook)

Row 1: Ch 4, sc 2nd ch from hook and each st arcross, turn (3)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc 1st 2 sts tog, sc in next st (2)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc next 2 sts tog (1) Do not turn. Ch 1, sc evenly around nose. Fasten off. Leave tail for sewing. Sew to upper part of muzzle. Embroider mouth lines under nose.

Eyes: With white. (Use G hook) (Make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring, or Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in 1st 3 sts. Leave rest of sts unworked. Fasten off. Leave tail for sewing. Join same brown as ears and muzzle, sc in the 6 sts of row 2 only. Fasten off.

Eyes: With black. (Use G hook) (Make 2)

6 sc in magic ring, or Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st in 1st st. Fasten off. Leave tail for sewing. Sew these to eye whites. Then sew eyes to basket above muzzle about 1 row down from top of basket.