Lacet Easter Basket

Instructions
RND 1: Ch6, join w/slst to first ch to form ring. Ch3, 15 dc in ring. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (16dc) Ch3 counts as first dc.

RND 2: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. 2dc in each st around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (32dc)

RND 3: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in next st. *2dc in next st. Dc in next st. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (48dc)

RND 4: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 2 sts. *2dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (64dc)

RND 5: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 3 sts. *2dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (80dc)

RND 6: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 4 sts. *2dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (96dc)

RND 7: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 5 sts. *2dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (112dc)

RND 8: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 6 sts. *2dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (128dc)

RND 9: Ch3. Dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 7 sts. *2dc in next st. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (144dc)

RND 10: Ch3. Working on the post of each st, work a dc around the post, just under the lps of each st around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (144dc)

RND 11 & 12: Ch3. Dc in each dc around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 13: Ch3. Dc in next dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. *Dc in each of the next 4 dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Dc in each of the last 2 dc. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 14: Ch3. Dc in next dc. Ch6. *Dc in each of the next 4 dc. Ch6. Rep from * around. Dc in each of the last 2 dc. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 15: Ch3. Dc in next dc. (Ch2. Sc in next ch6 sp. Ch2.) *Dc in each of the next 4 dc. Rep bet () once. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 16: Ch3. Dc in next dc. (2dc in next ch2 sp. Dc in next sc. 2dc in next ch2 sp.) *Dc in each of the next 4 dc. Rep bet () once. Rep from * around. Dc in each of the last 2 dc. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 17: Rep RND 13.
RND 18: Rep RND 14.
RND 19: Rep RND 15.
RND 20: Rep RND 16.
RND 21: Rep RND 13.
RND 22: Rep RND 14.
RND 23: Rep RND 15.
RND 24: Rep RND 16.

RND 25 & 26: Ch3. Dc in each dc around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 27: Rep RND 13. Fasten off and weave ends into back of work.

Handle
ROW 1: Ch100. Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch3, turn.

ROW 2: Sk first dc. Dc in next dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. *Dc in each of the next 4 dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Ch3. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * 9 times more. Dc in next dc and in top of ch3. Ch3, turn.

ROW 3: Sk first dc. Dc in next dc. Ch6, dc in each of the next 4 dc, 10 times. Ch6. Dc in next dc and in top of ch3.

ROW 4: Sk first dc. Dc in next dc. Ch2, sc in next ch6 sp, ch2, dc in each of the next 4 dc, 10 times. Ch2. Sc in next ch6 sp. Ch2. Dc in next dc and in top of ch3. Ch3, turn.

ROW 5: Sk first dc. Dc in next dc. 2dc in next ch2 sp, dc in each of the next 4 dc, 10 times. 2dc in next ch2 sp. Dc in next sc. 2dc in next ch2 sp. Dc in next dc and in top of ch3. Fasten off and weave ends into back of work.

Assembly
Step 1: Cover bottom of margarine tub with plastic wrap, taping in place if needed to keep it on the tub.

Step 2: Tape plastic wrap to cardboard or Styrofoam board.

Step 3: Saturate basket and handle in full strength fabric stiffener.

Step 4: Place basket over plastic wrap on tub and stretch and shape as needed. Lay the handle on the plastic wrap covered board and stretch and shape as needed. You can use straight pins to keep it in shape if needed. Allow pieces to dry overnight.

Step 5: Remove stiffened pieces from tub and cardboard and remove plastic wrap. Set both pieces aside to let dry and harden completely for a few more hours.

Step 6: Hot glue handle to top of basket.

Step 7: Fill with Easter grass and goodies.

If you feel the need to embellish the basket some more, Go for it!