*FREE* Pattern for Crochet Easter Eggs

I was designing a simple project for the lovely ladies in my Get Hooked workshops to teach them how to increase and decrease in crochet when I came over all generous and thought I'd share the pattern here for you to try yourself! This is a really simple project, perfect for using up small scraps of coloured yarn and hopefully I've left you plenty of time to get them finished in time for Easter!

You will need:

• oddments of yarn and corresponding size crochet hook (I used double knit yarn and a size 4mm hook)
• small amount of stuffing material
• yarn needle to darn in ends
• ribbons, beads and buttons to decorate

Please note that instructions are written in UK crochet terminology (but to help out my lovely American friends a UK dc is a US sc!)

Round 1: make a magic ring and 8dc into it. Pull the short end tight and slst into the 1st dc
Round 2: 1ch (represents 1st dc), 1dc into the same space, *1dc into next st, 2dc into next st. repeat from * to end of round & slst to close
Round 3: ch1, 1dc into same space, *1dc into next 2 sts, 2dc into next st. repeat from * to end of round and slst to close
Round 4: ch1, 1dc into same space, *1dc into next 3 sts, 2dc into next st. repeat from * to end of round and slst to close
Round 5: ch1, 1dc into same space, *1dc into next 4 sts, 2dc into next st. repeat from * to end of round and slst to close
Round 6: ch1, 1dc into same space, *1dc into next 5 sts, 2dc into next st. repeat from * to end of round and slst to close
Rounds 7-11: ch1, 1dc into each st to end of round and slst to close
Round 12: dc2tog all the way round, slst to close
Round 13: Insert stuffing then dc2tog all the way round, slst to close
Round 14: dc2tog until gap is closed, cut end leaving enough to darn in and pull base into desired shape

Attach a loop of embroidery thread or yarn to the top if you plan to suspend the eggs from branches

Once you've mastered the basic shape (you are starting at the top of the egg, by the way!) you can start to incorporate stripes into the pattern simply by changing colours at the beginning of a new round. If this sounds too scary then why not try using a variegated yarn instead and let the colours form their own pattern?

And when it comes to decorating your eggs with ribbons, buttons and beads; the only limit is your imagination. 

 I'd love to see the eggs you make with this pattern - feel free to add your photos to my Crochet Easter Egg gallery on Flickr!

Lisa xx

You are welcome to sell any crochet eggs you make using this free pattern but please respect copyright and do not sell the pattern on in any form without my permission. All images by Lisa Pocklington for Get Smitten