Pumpkin Basket

I was staring at my "Spring Shop" metal basket today and this idea struck me - a Pumpkin Basket.  But, with different colors, it could become a turkey, a Santa, an elf, a snowman, a heart, a bunny an Uncle Sam - I could actually make this into a complete seasonal decor item by just changing out the covers.  Now, this is what I call versatility in a metal basket!!!  So, hook and yarn are out and to Crocheting I go...lol.

I used Bernat Softee Chunky yarn for this project since I just received 2 large boxes of yarn from Amazon - the prices were way too good to pass up!!!  If you haven't bought yarn from Amazon yet, click on one of my Amazon links and check it out.  Sometimes, you can find some really great deals on yarn...

Pumpkin Basket

At the Front Door...

Leave off the eyes, nose and mouth....

Place it anywhere in the house...

Or at some battery-operated candles...

 

And, here's a pic of the metal basket from Hobby Lobby!!!

 

Pumpkin Basket Free Pattern

Difficulty Level:  Easy

Size:  8" diameter x 14 1/2" tall (including stem)

Gauge:  7 HDC stitches x 6 rows = 4" 

Materials:
--10mm hook

--1 and 1/2 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in Pumpkin (#6; 108 yds/skein)

--1/2 skein of Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in Soft Taupe (#6; 108 yds/skein)

--15-20 yds of Premier Yarns, Deborah Norville Collection in Christmas Tree (#5; 109 yds/skein) - for the leaves; this is what I had on hand so I used it
--less than 20 yds of Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in black for the eyes, nose and mouth (#6; 108 yds/skein)

--Spring Shop metal basket (8" x 7 1/2") from Hobby Lobby

--Tapestry needle for weaving

Stitch Abbreviations:

Ch:  chain

Sl st:  slip stitch

St:  stitch(es)

SC:  single crochet

HDC:  half double crochet

DC:  double crochet 
FLO:  front loops only
BLO:  back loops only
SC2tog:  single crochet 2 stitches together

MR:  magic ring

FO:  fasten off

Directions:
Bottom Portion:
1.  With Pumpkin yarn, 10 DC into MR.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (10)
2.  2 DC into each st around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (20)
3.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (30)
4.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next 2 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (40)
5.  Into BLO - 2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next 3 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (50)
6-10.  Into both loops, 1 DC in each st around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (50)
11.  1 SC in each st around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (50)
12.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 3 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join.  FO and weave ends.  (40)

Top Portion:
1.  With Soft Taupe yarn, 6 DC into MR.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (6)
2-3.  1 DC in each st around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (6)
4.  Into BLO - 2 DC in each st around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (12)
5.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (18)
6.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next 2 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (24)
7.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next 3 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (30)
8.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next 4 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (36)
9.  2 DC in first st, 1 DC in next 5 st.  Repeat around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (42)
10.  Into FLO - 1 SC in each st around.  Sl st to join and Ch1.  (42)
11.  Into both loops - 1 SC in each st around.  Sl st to join and FO.  Weave ends.  (42)

Leaves (make 3):
1.  With Christmas Tree yarn, Ch9.  Sl st into 2nd ch from hook, 1 SC in next ch, 1 HDC into the next 3 ch, 1 DC into the next 2 ch and 3 DC into the last ch.  Rotate to work on opposite side of base ch.  1 DC in the next 2 ch, 1 HDC into the next 3 ch, 1 SC in next ch and sl st into the last ch.  FO, leaving a tail for attaching to the top.  

Facial Features:
Eyes and Nose (make 3):
1.  With black yarn, Ch5.  SC in 2nd ch from hook and across.  Ch1 and turn.  (4)
2.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 2 st.  Ch1 and turn.  (3)
3.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next st.  Ch1 and turn.  (2)
4.  SC2tog.  FO, leaving a tail for attaching to the bottom portion.

Mouth:
1.  With black yarn, Ch17.  3 DC into the 3rd ch from the hook, sl st into the next 6 ch, 3 DC into the next ch, sl st into the next 6 ch, 4 DC into last ch.  Rotate to work on opposite side of base ch.  Sl st into the next 3 ch, 3 DC into the next ch, sl st into the next 6 ch, 3 DC into the next ch and sl st into the next 3 ch.  FO, leaving a tail for attaching to the bottom portion.

See pics for where to place leaves, eyes, nose and mouth.  

And, that's it!!!  Wasn't that a simple and super cute project for a Seasonal Decor item for your house or to give as a gift to someone?  I plan on altering this pattern to make different designs for all of the seasons and holidays.  

So, be sure to PIN this and come back often to check for updates or to make this!!!

Happy Crocheting... 

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