This crochet egg basket by Cara Medus may look incredibly complex, but it’s made by joining three simple pieces. The inner basket is made first, with a central divider attached by slip stitch to the top. The outer basket is a circle, joined to the inner basket with slip stitch in 6 places, and if that still sounds confusing theres a handy diagram to help you.
This free crochet basket pattern is a fun and not-too-difficult challenge, and it's not just for eggs either - why not use it for storing your thread bobbins or makeup in? If you're after a simpler basket for storing your easter eggs in, you could always try our free Easter basket crochet pattern instead, or check out the rest of our free crochet projects for more amazing makes!
You will need
2 balls of Super chunky yarn - we'd recommend the Stylecraft Life Super Chunky (100% Acrylic, 100g/80m),
Abbreviations
BLO - back loop only – work in the back loop of the stitch only (if you need any help with this check out our how to crochet in the front and back loops tutorial)
You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This egg basket crochet pattern is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.
Free egg basket crochet pattern
Inner crochet basket pattern
Using a 10mm hook, make a crochet magic loop.
Round 1 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 6dc into the loop, ss to beg ch-1 to join. [6 sts] Round 2 Ch1, 2dc in each st, ss to beg ch-1. [12 sts] Round 3 Ch1, (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, ss to beg ch-1. [18 sts] Round 4 Ch1, (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, ss to beg ch-1. [24 sts]
At this point, the base of the basket measures 11.5cm diameter.
Round 5 Ch1, dc BLO in each st, ss to beg ch-1. Rounds 6-8 As round 5, working in both loops of the st.
The basket should now be 6cm high. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Central divider
Using a 10mm hook, ch4.
Row 1 3dc beg in second ch from hook, turn. [3 sts] Rows 2 Ch1, 3dc, turn. Rows 3-5 As row 2. Row 6 Ch1, 3dc BLO, turn. Rows 7-10 As row 2.
Now piece measures 5x13cm. Turn work 90° to work along long edge, which will become the top of the divider.
Ch1, ss in each row end for 5 rows. [5 ss] This should bring you level with the row where the front loops are visible. Ss into the first loop, ch1, dc in each loop, turn. [3 sts]
Next row Ch1, 3dc, turn.
Repeat last row another 3 times.
Ss in each st [3 ss] to bring you up to the top edge. Ch1, ss in each row end to centre [5 ss].
Cont to ss along the edge of the remaining piece that has not been slip stitched, with a ss in each row end [5 ss], do not fasten off.
Weave in the beg tail of central divider. Place the divider in the inner basket with the slip stitched edges uppermost. Working from the inside to the outside of basket, ss in one of the sts on the top row of the basket, to join the two pieces. Continue working around the top row of the basket with a ss in each st for another 7sts.
*Insert hook into corner of the next piece of divider and ss in next st on the top row of basket, pulling the yarn through all the loops on the hook. 7ss around the top of the basket as before; rep from *, ss to first st of round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Looking for more EGGS-ellent crochet patterns? Then check out our Free crochet easter egg pattern or our how to make a crochet egg cosy tutorial. If you fancy trying your hand at a new craft, you could always try our how to make a felt easter egg tutorial or our how to make a papier mache easter egg tutorial.
Outer crochet basket pattern
With a 10mm hook, make a magic loop, leaving a long tail of yarn.
round 1 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 6dc into the loop, ss to beg ch-1 to join. [6 sts] round 2 Ch1, 2dc in each st, ss to beg ch-1. [12 sts] round 3 Ch1, (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, ss to beg ch-1. [18 sts] round 4 Ch1, (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, ss to beg ch-1. [24 sts] round 5 Ch1, (3dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, ss to beg ch-1. [30 sts] round 6 Ch1, (4dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times, ss to beg ch-1. [36 sts]
Continue working as set, increasing 6 sts every round, until you have worked 12 rounds in total [72 sts], or until piece measures 29cm diameter, do not fasten off. Pass tail of yarn in centre of outer basket through to the RS to use later.
Joining outer to inner basket
See the diagram, which shows where to join to the inner basket; you will need to join into each of the stitches where the central divider meets the inner basket, and to a stitch as close to midway between each of these 3 points.
Next round Identify the 6 corner sts on the outer basket. These are the sts in the round about to be worked that lie in between the 2 dc sts worked in the same stitch. *With RS facing, ss in each st up to the next corner st on the outer basket. Insert hook into the corner stitch on the outer basket, and also into one of the joining stitches on the inner basket. yrh and pull through all loops on hook to slip stitch the two together. Rep from * another 5 times, ss to first st of round on outer basket.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
With the tail of yarn in the centre underneath the basket, sew a few stitches to join the outer basket to the inner basket at this point.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this free egg basket crochet pattern, don’t forget if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks and the best crochet kits for beginners.
