When I was about 11 years old, I was secretly jealous of my school friends. The reason is that they get to go on an Easter egg hunt during the Easter holidays, and I have to find other activities. So, I can only imagine it must be so much fun to go hunting for chocolate eggs!

My parents were not to blame – as they were clueless of this exciting adventure! You see, there were no Easter egg hunts in the country where I was coming from – Vietnam.

Sadly, I have grown out of it now, but the thought of it sometimes makes me giggle. Although I still get excited if a child is patient enough to give me an invite.

Welcome to Week 3 5 Easy Crochet Projects Create an Easter egg basket to collect your tiny treasures.

You will need:
Cotton yarn in DK weight
I have used Patons 100% cotton DK
(colour 2740) Yellow (A) for basket
bits of yarns in colours: Pink and Fuschia for flowers
Crochet Hook: 3.50mm
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
A pair of scissors
Abbreviations:
adjustable magic ring
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
flo – front loop only
2-tr cluster
st – stitch
ss – slip stitch
yrh – yarn round hook
beg – beginning
*() – repeat instructions within
Rnd – round

Week 3 – Mini Easter egg basket

Step 1 – Base of basket
Using yarn A, make an adjustable ring
Rnd 1: ch-1, work 7-dc into ring, ss into first chain from beg of round to join = 7sts.
Rnd 2: Use stitch marker to mark beg of round.  Work 2dc into first st, then 2dc in each of next 6sts =14sts.
Rnd 3: *1dc in first st, 2dc in next st, rep *() 6 times more = 21sts.
Rnd 4: 1dc in first st, 2dc in next st, *1dc in each of next 2sts, 2dc in next, rep *() 5 times more, then 1dc in last st =28sts.
Rnd 5: Continue to work *(1dc in each of next 3sts, 2dc in next), rep *() 6 times more = 35sts.
Rnd 6: *(1dc in each of next 4sts, 2dc in next), rep *() 6 times more = 42sts.
Rnd 7: *(1dc in each of next 5sts, 2dc in next), rep *() 6 times more = 49sts.
Rnd 8: dc flo (front loop only) around = 49sts.
Rnd 9: dc around = 49sts.

Remove stitch marker:
Rnds 10-12: Begin 2-treble cluster.  Ch-3 (count as 1tr) make 1tr in same st (count as 2tr – cluster).  Ch-1, miss next st, *(2tr cluster in next st, ch-1, miss next st), rep *() 20 times more, ss into first st to join = 22 treble clusters.
Rnd 13: ss into each st around to create an edge.

Fasten off and weave in all yarn ends.  Ensure gently tighten adjustable ring before weave in end.  Turn basket inside out and straighten edges around the base.

Step 2 – Handle
Rnd 1: leaving a long yarn tail for sewing in later (approx. 30cm) before ch-24
Rnd 2: 1dc in second chain from hook, then 1dc in each st until end, ch-1 turn = 23sts.
Rnd 3: continue with 1dc in each st until end = 23sts.
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn end approx. 30cm.

Step 3 – Flowers make 2
Rnd 1: Using your choice of colour yarn, make adjustable ring, *(ch-5, then ss into ring), rep *() 4 more times.  One flower made.

Step 4 – Assembly
Thread tapestry needle with long yarn end from handle, then sew onto basket.  Repeat for the other end.  Secure yarn properly before cutting tail.

Working into a FLO/BLO 
FLO (front loop only) and BLO (back loop only). There is a front and a back loop on a chain if you look carefully from the top.

With your work, facing you (right side) or the side you are working on – the loop that is closer to you is the FLO, and the loop further away from you is the BLO. When working the stitch, you insert the hook under the loop you are about to work on i.e. the FLO/BLO – instead of under both loops where you would normally work i.e. for a regular double crochet stitch. Once you understand the theory, and then continue with your pattern instructions.
How to make a two treble cluster (2-tr cluster)

1. Work a treble up to the last yrh that completes the treble (2 loops on the hook).
2. Then work another incomplete treble (drawing only 2 loops through the hook) into the same stitch, (3 loops on the hook).
3. Yrh and draw through all 3 loops on the hook.
4. One loop remains on hook. One 2-tr cluster made.

Happy Easter and Happy creating.