The Clucking Coop Basket: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Functional Easter Basket

Introducing the Clucking Coop Basket

This isn't your average Easter basket; it's a charmingly textured, knitted chicken-shaped basket that doubles as a cozy home for eggs or treats. With its clever construction and soft, heathered yarn, it's a modern heirloom piece that brings whimsy to your holiday decor. Perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike, this free pattern creates a functional, adorable basket that will be the star of your Easter table.

Materials Needed

Yarn

• Main Color (MC): Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn in a soft heathered cream – approximately 200 yards
• Contrast Color (CC): Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn in a warm terracotta or golden yellow – approximately 100 yards
• Black yarn: Small amount for eyes (embroidery floss or fine yarn works well)

Needles & Notions

• Main Needles: US Size 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles (or size to obtain gauge)
• Handle Needles: A set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in US Size 5 (3.75 mm)
• Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side). Take time to check gauge for best results.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Notes Before You Begin

• The basket is worked flat in two identical pieces (front and back) and seamed together.
• Chicken features (comb, beak, eyes) are embroidered onto the front piece after knitting but before assembly.
• The handle is knitted separately in the round using I-cord technique.
• All decreases are worked on right-side rows unless otherwise noted.

Basket Body (Make 2 identical pieces)

Cast On & Begin Body

With Main Color (MC), cast on 30 stitches using your preferred method.

Work the Body (Straight Section)

• Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side (WS) row. Tip: Measure from the cast-on edge, not from the needle.

Shape the Bottom (Decrease Section)

You will now decrease on every right-side row to create the tapered basket bottom.

• Row 1 (RS): K2, k2tog (knit 2 together), knit to the last 4 stitches, ssk (slip, slip, knit), k2. You now have 28 stitches.
• Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Row 3 (RS): K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, k2. 26 stitches remain.
• Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
• Continue decreasing in this manner (every RS row) until 10 stitches remain. You will have worked a total of 10 decrease rows (10 RS rows with decreases).
• Next RS row: K2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2. 8 stitches remain.
• Next WS row: Purl all stitches.
• Next RS row: K2tog, k2, ssk. 6 stitches remain.
• Next WS row: Purl all stitches.
• Next RS row: K2tog, k2tog. 4 stitches remain.
• Next WS row: Purl all stitches.

Close the Bottom

Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the remaining 4 stitches on the needle. Pull tight to close the bottom completely. Weave in the end securely on the wrong side.

Chicken Features (Embroidery on Front Piece)

Work these details on ONE of the two basket pieces (this will be the front of your basket).

Comb (Top of Head)

Using Contrast Color (CC) yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider a simple comb on the top edge of the front piece. Use a chain stitch or satin stitch to create a small, wavy comb shape (about 1 inch wide and ½ inch tall). Position it centered at the top edge.

Beak

Using CC yarn, embroider a small beak below the comb using 3-4 straight stitches in a triangular shape. The beak should be about ½ inch wide and point downward.

Eyes

With black yarn, embroider two small French knots for eyes. Position them on either side of the beak, about ½ inch apart. Tip: If you're new to French knots, you can use small straight stitches or tiny satin stitches instead.

Assembly

1. Place the two basket pieces together with wrong sides facing each other (right sides should be facing outward).
2. Thread a tapestry needle with MC yarn.
3. Using whip stitch, sew the sides and bottom edges together. Start at one top corner, work down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Keep stitches even and close together for a neat seam.
4. Leave the top edge open (this is the basket opening).
5. Weave in all ends securely.

Handle

Knit the I-cord

1. With double-pointed needles (DPNs) and CC yarn, cast on 4 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit all 4 stitches. Do not turn the work.
3. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle (the working yarn will be at the left side).
4. Pull the yarn across the back of the work (behind the stitches) and knit all 4 stitches again.
5. Repeat this process (knit 4, slide, pull yarn across, knit 4) until the handle measures 8 inches from the cast-on edge.
6. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the 4 stitches on the needle. Pull tight to close the end.

Attach the Handle

1. Position the handle ends on the inside of the basket, at the top edges (one end on each side).
2. Using the yarn tails and a tapestry needle, sew each end of the handle securely to the inside of the basket. Make several stitches through the handle and the basket fabric for strength.
3. Weave in all ends.

Finishing

1. Weave in all remaining ends using a tapestry needle.
2. Gently block the basket to shape if desired. To block: lightly mist with water, shape the basket and handle, and allow to dry flat.
3. Your Clucking Coop Basket is complete! Fill with eggs, treats, or small gifts.

Enjoy your charming, handmade Easter basket that's sure to become a treasured family heirloom!