P314 Bunny Planter Basket

How to Crochet a Bunny Planter Basket

Add a playful Easter touch to your home with this crocheted bunny planter basket. The design features a sturdy round base, tall structured sides, two floppy ears and a soft pompom tail.

The basket is worked from the centre of the base upwards in joined rounds. The ears are crocheted separately and sewn inside the upper edge, while the pompom is attached to the lower back of the basket.

Finished Measurements

What You Will Need

Yarn

• Basket and ears: Makr Spaghetti Yarn, approximately one 750 g ball or cone
• Pompom: Makr Teddy Soft Yarn, approximately one 100 g ball

Hook and Equipment

• 8 mm crochet hook
• Blunt-ended wool needle
• Scissors
• Stitch marker, if desired
• Waterproof plant saucer or liner

Tension

The source lists a tension of approximately:

4 stitches and 4 rows over 10 cm using an 8 mm crochet hook.

Aim for a dense, firm fabric that will support the planter. Jersey-style yarn can vary in width, so adjust the hook size where necessary.

Abbreviations

• Ch: Chain
• Cont: Continue
• Dc: Double crochet
• Rep: Repeat
• Rnd or rnds: Round or rounds
• Sc: Single crochet
• Sl st: Slip stitch
• St or sts: Stitch or stitches
• Tc: Treble crochet
• Yoh: Yarn over hook

Construction Overview

The planter basket is made in four stages:

1. Crochet a flat circular base.
2. Work the basket sides upwards.
3. Crochet and attach two floppy ears.
4. Make and attach a soft pompom tail.

The basket rounds are joined with a slip stitch to the first stitch of each round.

Begin the Basket Base

1. Using the 8 mm hook, chain 2.
2. Work 6 single crochet stitches into the second chain from the hook.
3. Join to the first stitch with a slip stitch.

You should have 6 stitches.

Increase the Circular Base

Round 2

1. Chain 1.
2. Work 2 single crochet stitches into every stitch around.
3. Join with a slip stitch.

You should have 12 stitches.

Round 3

1. Chain 1.
2. Work 2 single crochet stitches into the first stitch.
3. Work one single crochet into the next stitch.
4. Repeat around and join.

You should have 18 stitches.

Round 4

1. Chain 1.
2. Work 2 single crochets into the first stitch.
3. Work one single crochet into each of the next two stitches.
4. Repeat around and join.

You should have 24 stitches.

Round 5

1. Chain 1.
2. Work 2 single crochets into the first stitch.
3. Work one single crochet into each of the next three stitches.
4. Repeat around and join.

You should have 30 stitches.

Round 6

1. Chain 1.
2. Work 2 single crochets into the first stitch.
3. Work one single crochet into each of the next four stitches.
4. Repeat around and join.

You should have 36 stitches.

Rounds 7–10

Continue increasing six stitches evenly around every round. Add one extra plain stitch between each increase on every new round.

You should have 60 stitches at the end of Round 10.

Turn the Base Into the Sides

Round 11

1. Chain 1.
2. Work one single crochet through the back loop only of every stitch around.
3. Join with a slip stitch.

Working through the back loops creates a subtle ridge and encourages the basket walls to rise vertically from the base.

Crochet the Basket Sides

For each following round:

1. Chain 1.
2. Work one single crochet into every stitch around.
3. Join with a slip stitch.

Repeat until the basket measures approximately 20–20.5 cm high from the back-loop round.

Fasten off and weave in the yarn end securely.

Crochet the Bunny Ears

Make two matching ears using the basket yarn.

Ear Foundation

1. Chain 25.
2. Work one single crochet into each chain, placing 2 single crochets into the final chain.
3. Rotate the work and crochet along the opposite side of the foundation chain.
4. Work one single crochet into each remaining chain loop.
5. Work 3 single crochets into the end chain to round the tip.

Continue working around the ear without turning.

Shape the First Side

Work one single crochet into each of the first nine stitches, followed by:

• 2 double crochet stitches
• 6 treble crochet stitches
• 5 single crochet stitches
• 3 single crochet stitches at the rounded end

Shape the Second Side

Continue around the opposite side with:

• 5 single crochet stitches
• 2 double crochet stitches
• 6 treble crochet stitches
• 7 single crochet stitches to the end

Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for attaching the ear.

Make the Second Ear

Repeat the complete ear instructions to create a matching second ear.

Lay the two ears together and check that they are the same length and width before attaching them.

Attach the Ears

1. Position the lower section of each ear inside the top edge of the basket.
2. Allow the ears to drape down the outside of the basket.
3. Place the ears opposite each other or slightly towards the back, as shown in the project image.
4. Thread the long yarn tail through a blunt wool needle.
5. Sew the lower outside edges of each ear firmly to the inside wall of the basket.
6. Reinforce the attachment with several passes through the thick fabric.

Make the Pompom Tail

1. Using the Teddy Soft yarn, wrap the yarn around four fingers approximately 60 times.
2. Carefully slide the wrapped yarn from your fingers.
3. Tie a strong length of yarn tightly around the centre.
4. Cut through all loops on both sides.
5. Trim the pompom gradually until it forms a smooth, rounded shape.

Attach the Tail

1. Position the pompom at the lower centre back of the basket.
2. Thread the long centre ties through the basket fabric.
3. Tie securely inside the basket.
4. Sew through the pompom centre several times for extra strength.
5. Trim and conceal the remaining yarn ends.

Finishing the Basket

1. Weave in all remaining yarn ends.
2. Check that both ears are securely attached.
3. Check the pompom tail and reinforce it where necessary.
4. Gently shape the circular base and upright walls.
5. Place the basket around an appropriately sized container while it rests, if additional shaping is required.
6. Insert a waterproof plant saucer or liner before use.

Alternative Yarns for the Basket

The original basket uses thick jersey-style yarn. A substitute should create a dense, stable fabric and should not stretch excessively under the weight of the plant pot.

• T-shirt yarn – the closest alternative to the original jersey construction.
• Recycled cotton cord – creates a sturdy basket with excellent structure.
• Chunky braided cotton cord – provides a firm, modern finish with clear stitch definition.
• Fabric ribbon yarn – produces a lightweight but substantial basket.
• Soft macramé cord – may be suitable when flexible enough to crochet comfortably.
• Several strands of cotton yarn held together – can be used to build the necessary thickness and create custom colour effects.

Alternative Yarns for the Tail

• Plush teddy yarn
• Chenille yarn
• Faux-fur yarn
• Soft fluffy acrylic
• Main basket yarn brushed into a pompom

Choosing the Best Substitute

Choose a basket yarn that produces a firm fabric with a hook of approximately 7–9 mm. The yarn should retain its shape while still being flexible enough to form the curved base and ears.

Avoid highly elastic, loosely spun or very fluffy yarns for the main basket, as they may sag under the weight of the planter and obscure the stitch structure.

Colour Ideas

• Blush pink with a white pompom
• Soft grey with a cream tail
• Natural beige with a white tail
• Pastel blue with pale grey
• Lilac with a white or blush tail
• Caramel brown with a cream tail
• One-colour basket and ears with a contrasting pompom

Alternative Uses

• Storage basket for yarn or craft supplies
• Easter gift hamper
• Nursery storage
• Decorative basket for artificial flowers
• Bathroom storage for hand towels
• Children’s toy storage

Care

Remove the plant pot and waterproof liner before cleaning. Spot cleaning is generally the safest option for a structured basket.

When washing is required, follow the yarn-care instructions, reshape the basket while damp and allow it to dry around an appropriately sized container.