Knit a lovely Easter Basket for your little ones. Created with the typical basket weave stitch and a lovely picot edging.
Knitting Loom: 80 peg regular gauge loom. Adjustable Hat Loom used in sample (All-n-One can be used).
Yarn: Approx 200 yards of worsted weight yarn. Sample was knit with Knit Picks Comfy worsted in Sea Foam (1 skein) and Crème Brulee (1 skein).
Notions: Knitting tool, tapestry needle.
Other: Ultra Stiff Mesh Plastic Canvas, size 12 x 18 inches—used to hold the basket shape and for the handle. The mesh plastic canvas may be removed to facilitate washing.
Size: Approx 6.5 inches tall (not including handle) by 5.5 diameter.
Gauge: 18 sts x 28 rows=4 inches in basket weave (blocked).
Abbreviations
CC=Contrasting Color (Sea Foam)
CO=Cast on
K=knit stitch
K2tog=knit two stitches together. Move stitch from odd number peg and hold it, then move the loop from the even number peg and place it on the odd number peg. Place the loop you are holding back on the peg, odd numbered peg has 2 loops on it. Knit the peg with the two loops, and treat both loops as one loop.
MC=Main Color (Crème Brulee)
P=purl stitch
Rem=Remain
Rep=Repeat
Rnd=round
St(s)=stitch(es)
YO=Yarn over. Ewrap the empty peg. On the following row, undo the ewrap and place the strand of yarn in front of the peg, then work the peg as instructed on this row.
INSTRUCTIONS
Handle
Using CC, Cast on 10 sts, prepare to work a flat panel.
Row 1: k to the end of row.
Row 2: p to the end of row.
Rep Row 1 and Row 2: 49 more times.
Bind off with basic bind off method.
Basket
Using CC, Cast on 80 sts, prepare to work in the round.
Rnd 1-3: k to the end of rnd.
Rnd 4: *k2tog, yo; rep from * to the end of rnd.
Rnd 5-7: k to the end of rnd.
Rnd 8: Bring CO rnd and place the loops back on the designated pegs. K to the end of rnd, treating both loops on each peg as one loop.
Cut CC yarn and join MC.
Rnd 9-12: *k4, p4; rep from * to the end of rnd.
Rnd 13-16: *p4, k4; rep from * to the end of rnd.
Rep Rnds 9-16: 4 more times.
Rep Rnds 9-12.
Cut MC, join CC.
Next 6 rnds: k to the end of rnd.
Bottom of Basket—created in 4 wedges; each one done separately over 20 stitches as flat panels.
Wedge 1
Over 20 pegs (from peg 1 to peg 20).
**Row 1: k1, k2tog, k to the last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
How to:
- Lift and hold loop from peg 3.
- Move loop from peg 2 over to peg 3.
- Place loop from step 1 on peg 3. Peg 3 has 2 loops on it.
- Move loop from peg 1 over to peg 2.
- Go to third peg from the end, lift loop and hold it.
- Go to the second peg from the end, move the loop to the empty peg from step 5.
- Place loop from step 5 back on peg. Third peg from the end has 2 loops on it.
- Move loop on last peg to the empty peg (second peg from the end).
- K the row, treat pegs with two loops as one loop (Pegs 3 and 19).
Row 2: p to the end of row.
Rep Row 1 and Row 2 until 4 sts rem.
Next row: k2tog, k2tog.
Next row: p to the end row.
Next row: k2tog
Bind off. Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch yarn tail. **
Join yarn at peg 21, leaving a 10 inch beginner yarn tail (Beginning yarn tail will be used to mattress stitch wedges). How to join—Make a slip knot and place slip knot on peg 21.
Rep Wedge Instructions from ** to **.
Wedge 2: Over 20 sts, from peg 21-40.
Wedge 3: Over 20 sts, from peg 41-60.
Wedge 4: Over 20 sts, from peg 61-80.
ASSEMBLY
The assembly of this basket is done in two different areas: one on the knitted basket, the second on the plastic canvas.
Assembling the Basket
The first step is to create the bottom ridge: the area that will separate the body of the basket from the bottom of the basket. This area is created from the last six rounds of stockinette stitch prior to the wedges. Thread tapestry needle with approx 20″ CC color yarn. Using the wrong side of the fabric, locate the last round of MC and the 6th round of stockinette stitch and using the overcast stitch, sew all the way around. (Use picture below for assistance).
Assembling the Wedges
There are 4 wedges, using the mattress stitch and using the yarn tail coming from the first row of the wedge, mattress stitch seam the wedges together. (Use photos below for assistance).
Creating the Canvas Inner Tube and Handle
Inner Basket Canvas Tube
Cut the plastic canvas to the height of the basket: measure the height of your basket (only measure the MC section). Do not cut the length (for the circumference).
Using white yarn or the same color yarn as the project (sample used same as project). Overlap the canvas so that the circumference is the desired measurement, using the tapestry needle and thread, sew the canvas. (See pictures below for assistance).
Handle
Cut the plastic canvas for the handle: 1.25 inches wide by 15 inches long. Sew this handle to the tube.
Insert tube inside the knitted fabric. (See picture below).
Mattress stitch seam the handle to the plastic canvas handle. Secure the ends of the knitted fabric to the plastic canvas, pulling the knitted fabric to cover the entire plastic handle.
Using CC yarn, sew the knitted fabric to the inner tube.
Looking for the Chubby Bunny Pattern? Click here for the Chubby Bunny Pattern by Adrian Roadman.
