My favorite free crochet patterns: Easter Chicks

I found this free pattern a couple of years ago and finally got around to making some for Easter decorations. I think they turned out cute!

I didn't have some of the recommended materials on hand so I used regular cotton yarn, a size E4 - 3.5mm crochet hook, 6mm black plastic safety eyes and I didn't make the feet out of pipe cleaners. I made the beak from orange cotton yarn as follows:

Rnd 1: 4 sc into an adjustable ring and pull the ring closed (4).
Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc around, sc in next 2 sc (8).
Finish off leaving a tail for sewing. Fold beak in half and sew to chick between the eyes.

I also made them each a nest using some left over faux suede yarn that I had, but any worsted weight yarn would work. Here is the pattern for the nest. Use a size H8 hook and work with 2 strands of yarn throughout.

Rnd 1: 6 sc into an adjustable ring and pull the ring closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [sc in the next 2 sc, 2 sc in the next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [sc in the next 3 sc, 2 sc in the next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6: [sc in the next 4 sc, 2 sc in the next sc] 6 times (36).
Rnds 7-9: sc in each sc around (36).
Finish off. To make the nest look more natural, I didn't weave in the ends.

My favorite free patterns: Patches the Carrot Loving Bunny

These little guys are too adorable, especially their tiny little carrots! I made a couple using this pattern, organic cotton yarn and cotton stuffing that I had left over from another project.

I made the following modifications because I had these materials on hand rather than the materials recommended by the pattern:
- size E/4 crochet hook;
- black 8mm safety eyes;
- stitched an "x" for the nose using pink embroidery thread; and
- I left off the patches because I ran out of yarn.

My sons loved them and begged me to make more. Our house is quickly being filled with too many crocheted toys :)