Cluck & Bloom Easter Basket: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Hen Basket with Flower Eggs

Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with a handmade centerpiece that captures the charm of the season? This Cluck & Bloom Easter Basket is a delightful crochet project that combines a sturdy, textured basket with an adorable hen and a nest of flower-topped eggs. Whether you're crafting for your own Easter brunch table or looking for a heartfelt handmade gift, this pattern is sure to bring a smile. The rustic farmhouse aesthetic, paired with soft pastel accents, makes it a versatile piece you'll want to display year after year.

This pattern is designed with beginners in mind, using basic crochet stitches like single crochet, increases, and decreases. The step-by-step instructions are detailed and easy to follow, ensuring you can recreate this charming basket with confidence. Let's gather your materials and get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary supplies. The quality of your yarn and tools will greatly affect the final look and durability of your basket.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in the following colors:
  • Cream (for the basket and hen body)
  • Terracotta (optional, for basket accent)
  • Mustard (for the beak and one flower)
  • Sage Green (for one flower and optional grass)
  • Blush Pink (for one flower)
  • Red (for the comb and wattle)
  • Black (for the eyes)
• Hook: 3.5mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Gauge: 4 rounds of single crochet in the round = 2 inches diameter. This is crucial for the basket to hold its shape.
• Other: Yarn needle, stitch markers, polyester fiberfill stuffing, scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions carefully. We'll build the basket from the base up, then create the hen and eggs, and finally assemble everything together. Take your time and enjoy the process!

Part 1: Basket Base (Make 2)

We'll create two identical circles and join them to form a sturdy, double-thick base. This ensures your basket can hold the eggs and stand up nicely.

1. Round 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Pull tight to close. (6 stitches)
2. Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
3. Round 3: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat from * to * around. (18 stitches)
4. Round 4: *Sc in the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (24 stitches)
5. Round 5: *Sc in the next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (30 stitches)
6. Round 6: *Sc in the next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (36 stitches)
7. Round 7: *Sc in the next 5 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (42 stitches)
8. Round 8: *Sc in the next 6 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (48 stitches)
9. Round 9: *Sc in the next 7 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (54 stitches)
10. Round 10: *Sc in the next 8 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (60 stitches)
11. Fasten off and weave in the end. Repeat this entire process to make a second identical piece.

Part 2: Joining the Base & Basket Walls

Now we'll seal the two base pieces together and build the walls of the basket.

1. Place the two circles with their wrong sides together (the "right" side is the one you prefer facing out).
2. Insert your hook through both layers, join the yarn with a slip stitch.
3. Work a single crochet (sc) in each stitch around, going through both layers to seal the base. You should have 60 sc. Do not fasten off.
4. Round 1 (Walls): Now, working in the front loops only of the sc you just made, sc in each stitch around. (60 stitches). This creates a clean, crisp edge for the basket.
5. Rounds 2-8: Sc in each stitch around. (60 stitches). This creates the main body of the basket. Keep your tension even for a neat look.
6. Round 9: *Sc in the next 8 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (66 stitches). This slight increase helps the top of the basket flare out gently.
7. Rounds 10-12: Sc in each stitch around. (66 stitches).
8. Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.

Part 3: Hen Body (Front of Basket)

This plump body is crocheted directly onto the front of the basket, giving it a seamless, integrated look.

1. Attach your cream yarn to the front center of the basket. This should be between rounds 3 and 8 of the basket walls. Count your stitches to find the exact center front.
2. Round 1: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc in the next 11 stitches. (12 stitches). You are now working in a small oval.
3. Round 2: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (18 stitches)
4. Round 3: *Sc in the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (24 stitches)
5. Round 4: *Sc in the next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (30 stitches)
6. Rounds 5-7: Sc in each stitch around. (30 stitches). This creates the height of the hen's body.
7. Round 8: *Sc in the next 3 stitches, sc2tog (single crochet 2 together)*; repeat around. (24 stitches)
8. Round 9: *Sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tog*; repeat around. (18 stitches)
9. Round 10: *Sc in the next stitch, sc2tog*; repeat around. (12 stitches)
10. Round 11: Sc2tog around. (6 stitches)
11. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff the hen body firmly with fiberfill. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the opening. Weave in the end.

Part 4: Hen Head

The head is worked separately and attached to the top of the body.

1. Attach cream yarn to the top of the hen body, in the area of Round 11.
2. Round 1: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch, sc in the next 5 stitches. (6 stitches)
3. Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
4. Round 3: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (18 stitches)
5. Rounds 4-5: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
6. Round 6: *Sc in the next stitch, sc2tog*; repeat around. (12 stitches)
7. Round 7: Sc2tog around. (6 stitches)
8. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff the head, then close the opening as you did for the body.

Part 5: Hen Facial Features

These small details bring your hen to life!

1. Comb (Red Yarn): Attach red yarn to the top of the head. *Ch 3, sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next ch, slip stitch to the head.* Repeat from * to * 3 times to create a triple-bump comb. Fasten off and weave in ends.
2. Beak (Mustard Yarn): Attach mustard yarn to the front of the head, just below the comb. Ch 2, sc in the 2nd ch from hook, slip stitch to the head. Fasten off.
3. Wattle (Red Yarn): Attach red yarn just below the beak. Ch 3, sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next ch, slip stitch to the head. Fasten off.
4. Eyes (Black Yarn): Using black yarn, embroider two French knots or small satin stitches for eyes on either side of the head. Place them symmetrically for a cute, expressive look.

Part 6: Wings (Make 2)

These simple leaf-shaped wings are the perfect finishing touch for the hen's body.

1. With cream yarn, chain 6.
2. Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each chain across. (5 stitches)
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in the next stitch, sc2tog. (3 stitches)
4. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in the next stitch. (2 stitches)
5. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew the wings securely to the sides of the hen body.

Part 7: Flower Eggs (Make 3)

These adorable eggs are the perfect "bloom" for your nest. Make one in each color: blush pink, mustard, and sage green.

Egg Base (White Yarn):

1. Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 stitches)
2. Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
3. Round 3: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (18 stitches)
4. Rounds 4-6: Sc in each stitch around. (18 stitches)
5. Round 7: *Sc in the next stitch, sc2tog*; repeat around. (12 stitches)
6. Round 8: Sc2tog around. (6 stitches)
7. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff the egg firmly, then close the opening by weaving the tail through the front loops and pulling tight.

Flower Top (Blush Pink, Mustard, or Sage Green):

1. Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6 stitches)
2. Round 2: *Sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch*; repeat around. (9 stitches)
3. Round 3: *Slip stitch in the next stitch, ch 2, 2 double crochet (dc) in the next stitch, ch 2, slip stitch in the next stitch*; repeat around to form 3 petals.
4. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Sew the flower securely to the top of the egg.

Part 8: Assembly & Finishing

Now for the fun part – bringing it all together!

1. Place the three flower eggs inside the basket, nestled in front of the hen body. Arrange them so the colors are balanced.
2. For an extra touch of spring, cut a few short strands of sage green yarn and place them around the eggs to mimic grass.
3. Weave in any remaining loose ends with your yarn needle.
4. If desired, lightly block the basket to help it hold its shape. You can do this by misting it with water and shaping it with your hands, then letting it dry completely.

Your Cluck & Bloom Easter Basket is now complete! This beautiful, handmade piece is perfect for holding chocolate eggs, fresh flowers, or simply as a charming decorative accent. The combination of the sturdy basket, the whimsical hen, and the delicate flower eggs creates a truly unique treasure that will be cherished for many Easters to come. Happy crocheting!