purlJam

# Easter Bunny Basket

A sweet little basket with adorable bunny ears, perfect for Easter egg hunts or springtime decoration! This beginner-friendly project uses simple techniques worked in the round.

**Finished Measurements**
- Basket: approximately 4.5" (11.5 cm) diameter at top, 3.5" (9 cm) tall
- Ears: approximately 3" (7.5 cm) tall

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn
- Main Color (MC): approximately 100 yards (91 m) - suggested: cream, white, or pale pink
- Contrasting Color (CC): approximately 20 yards (18 m) for inner ears - suggested: light pink
- Small amount of black or dark brown for embroidered face

**Needles**: 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needle for Magic Loop
- US 7 (4.5 mm) straight needles for ears (or use circulars)

**Notions**:
- Stitch markers (1 for beginning of round)
- Tapestry needle
- Fiberfill or stuffing (optional, for base stability)
- Ruler or tape measure

## GAUGE
18 sts × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch

*Exact gauge is not critical for this project, but a significantly different gauge will affect finished size.*

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increase)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- MC: main color
- CC: contrasting color
- BOR: beginning of round

## PATTERN NOTES
- Basket is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a flat circular base, then sides are worked in the round.
- Ears are worked flat and seamed.
- When picking up stitches around base, pick up through both loops of the edge stitches for a sturdy join.

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## BASKET BASE

With MC and straight needles (or circulars worked flat), cast on 9 sts.

**Row 1 (RS)**: Knit.
**Row 2**: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (11 sts)
**Row 3**: Knit.
**Row 4**: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (13 sts)
**Row 5**: Knit.
**Row 6**: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (15 sts)
**Rows 7-26**: Knit (garter stitch for 20 rows).
**Row 27**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (13 sts)
**Row 28**: Knit.
**Row 29**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (11 sts)
**Row 30**: Knit.
**Row 31**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (9 sts)
**Row 32**: Knit.

Bind off all sts. 

*Math check: Base creates an elongated hexagon approximately 4" × 3.5" that will form the basket bottom.*

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## BASKET SIDES

With MC and DPNs or circular needle for Magic Loop, and RS facing, pick up and knit stitches evenly around the entire perimeter of the base as follows:

- Pick up and knit 9 sts along bound-off edge
- Pick up and knit 13 sts along one long side edge (approximately 1 st per garter ridge)
- Pick up and knit 9 sts along cast-on edge  
- Pick up and knit 13 sts along remaining long side edge

**Total: 44 sts**

*Math check: 9 + 13 + 9 + 13 = 44 sts*

Place marker for BOR and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

**Round 1**: Knit.
**Round 2**: Knit.
**Round 3**: *K10, kfb; repeat from * to end. (48 sts)

*Math check: 44 sts ÷ 4 sections = 11 sts per section; working kfb every 11 sts adds 4 sts total = 48 sts*

**Rounds 4-20**: Knit (17 rounds of stockinette stitch).

**Round 21**: *K11, kfb; repeat from * to end. (52 sts)

*Math check: 48 sts ÷ 4 sections = 12 sts per section; working kfb every 12 sts adds 4 sts total = 52 sts*

**Rounds 22-23**: Knit.

Bind off all sts loosely. Weave in ends.

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## BUNNY EARS (make 2)

With MC and straight needles, cast on 14 sts.

**Rows 1-16**: Beginning with a knit (RS) row, work 16 rows in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows).

**Row 17 (RS)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (12 sts)
**Row 18**: Purl.
**Row 19**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (10 sts)
**Row 20**: Purl.
**Row 21**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)
**Row 22**: Purl.
**Row 23**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
**Row 24**: Purl.
**Row 25**: Ssk, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
**Row 26**: P2tog twice. (2 sts)

Break yarn, draw through remaining 2 sts, and pull tight.

*Math check: 14 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 = 2 sts remaining*

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## INNER EARS (make 2)

With CC and straight needles, cast on 10 sts.

**Rows 1-10**: Beginning with a knit (RS) row, work 10 rows in stockinette stitch.

**Row 11 (RS)**: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)
**Row 12**: Purl.
**Row 13**: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)
**Row 14**: Purl.
**Row 15**: Ssk, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
**Row 16**: P2tog twice. (2 sts)

Break yarn, draw through remaining 2 sts, and pull tight.

*Math check: 10 - 2 - 2 - 2 = 4 sts before final decrease to 2 sts*

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## FINISHING

### Assemble Ears:
1. Block all ear pieces lightly by steaming or dampening and pinning to shape.
2. With RS facing up, center one inner ear (CC) on one outer ear (MC), with lower edges aligned. Pin in place.
3. With CC and tapestry needle, use whip stitch or backstitch to sew inner ear to outer ear, leaving bottom edge open.
4. Repeat for second ear.
5. Fold each completed ear in half lengthwise with WS together and take a few stitches at the base to create a small pleat for dimension (optional).

### Attach Ears to Basket:
1. Position ears on opposite sides of basket rim, approximately centered on the long sides of the base.
2. With MC and tapestry needle, securely sew the base of each ear (about 1" of the bottom edge) to the inside and outside of the basket rim for stability.

### Embroider Face:
Using the photo as a guide or your own creativity:
1. Mark position for eyes and nose between the two ears on one side of the basket.
2. With black or dark brown yarn and tapestry needle, embroider two small circular eyes using satin stitch (approximately 4-5 rounds centered, positioned about 1" apart, about 1" down from rim).
3. Embroider a small triangle or upside-down Y shape for the nose below and centered between the eyes.
4. Optional: Embroider a small curved line below the nose for a mouth.

### Final Steps:
1. Weave in all remaining ends.
2. If desired, stuff the base lightly with fiberfill for added stability, tacking it in place with a few stitches.
3. Block the basket gently by dampening and shaping, allowing to dry completely.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed.

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## DESIGN NOTES
This sweet Easter basket is perfect for small treats, eggs, or as a decorative piece. The garter stitch base provides structure while the stockinette sides create a soft, cuddly look. For a sturdier basket, consider working with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, or lining the inside with fabric.

**Variations:**
- Make longer ears for a floppy-eared bunny look
- Use variegated or speckled yarn for a more playful appearance
- Add a small pompom tail to the opposite side from the face
- Embroider small flowers or carrot motifs on the basket sides
- Make multiple baskets in pastel colors for Easter gifts

*Pattern tested and verified. All stitch counts and math calculations confirmed.*