Patterns, projects and techniques
SO, HERE THE FIRST QUESTION FOR JANUARY, 2010. If you don’t know how the blogtest works, please refer to my blog post of January 2, 2010 for all the rules.
WHAT IS YOUR CROCHET GOAL FOR 2010?
Be sure to post an answer ON THIS BLOG IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. Do not send an email to me or respond elsewhere if you want to be counted as an entry.
And, oh, yeah. The first prize is this sweet little book:
What a sweet little deal!
There is something lovely about unpacking a Christmas ornament and remembering who made it. A slightly wonky bow, a tiny crocheted hat, a little snowman with more personality than his size should allow. Those are the decorations that earn their place on the tree year after year.
These free crochet Christmas ornament patterns include miniature trees, wreaths, baubles, woodland decorations, candy cane holders and nostalgic little keepsakes. Some are easy projects for crocheters who know the basics, while others offer a little more detail for anyone who enjoys thread crochet or miniature amigurumi.
They are also a very good excuse to investigate the leftover yarn basket. You know, the one containing several almost-finished balls you have been saving for “something small”. This is something small.
Each link below takes you to the designer’s pattern page. Many offer free instructions online alongside an optional paid printable PDF, so check the page before heading straight to the shop button.
Here are a few starting points to help narrow down the festive temptation.
| What you want to make | Start with |
|---|---|
| An easy ornament using very little yarn | Whitefield Wreath |
| A small project without stuffing | Mini Santa Hat |
| A tiny stuffed Christmas decoration | Tiny Christmas Tree |
| An ornament that holds a treat | Gingerbread or Reindeer Candy Cane Holder |
| A textured cover for a plain bauble | Hopscotch Bauble |
| A detailed thread crochet keepsake | Poinsettia Flower |
| A project for using odd buttons | Crochet Button Angel |
Small does not always mean beginner friendly. Fine thread, tiny stitches and fiddly finishing can take more concentration than a larger project, so choose by construction as well as appearance.
A little green wreath with a red bow is hard to beat for traditional Christmas charm. Banana Moon Studio’s design uses bobble stitches to create texture, giving the wreath a lovely rounded appearance.
The designer rates it easy and lists approximately 12 yards of worsted weight yarn, plus yarn or ribbon for the finishing details. The finished wreath measures about 3½ inches across.
This is a particularly useful choice when you have a small amount of green yarn left over. Make a matching group, or try cream wreaths with burgundy bows for a softer colour scheme.
Find the free crochet wreath ornament pattern at Banana Moon Studio.
GoldenLucyCrafts’ little Santa hat delivers plenty of Christmas cheer without needing a stuffed body or lots of separate pieces.
The pattern is rated easy and uses medium weight yarn with a 3.5 mm hook. The finished hat is approximately 2 inches tall after folding.
Classic red and white is an obvious choice, but a collection in pink, sage and cream would be lovely too. Keep any added decorations small so they do not overwhelm the hat.
Follow the free mini Santa hat crochet pattern at GoldenLucyCrafts.
Hookfully’s cheerful bell has a face, rosy cheeks and a little bow. It is a good option if you like character ornaments but would rather make a flat decoration than a stuffed figure.
The designer rates the pattern easy. It uses DK weight yarn, with approximately 27 yards listed, and measures around 9.5 cm square.
For beginners, a smooth yarn will generally make the stitches easier to see than a fluffy or velvet yarn. Choose the texture you will enjoy working with, rather than struggling through something simply because it looks lovely in the photograph.
Visit Hookfully for the free flat crochet Christmas bell pattern.
Our CraftBits button angel combines crocheted pieces with ribbon, buttons and a sparkling halo. It has that lovely craft-box Christmas feeling, especially if you use a button with a little family history.
The wings begin as a small crocheted rectangle that is gathered in the middle. A separate crocheted body and the decorative pieces complete the angel.
This is a mixed craft project, so allow time for assembly as well as crochet. It is a lovely way to turn an odd button and a few yarn scraps into a keepsake.
Make your own with our crochet button angel ornament tutorial.
The Nicole Chase’s miniature tree is approximately 2 inches tall using the suggested worsted weight yarn and 4 mm hook.
This is a stuffed, three-dimensional tree worked in the round. The materials list calls for small amounts of green, brown and red yarn, making it a useful project for coordinated leftovers.
I would make a small collection in different greens, then keep the hanging loops the same colour to bring the group together. These would also look sweet tied onto wrapped gifts.
Get the free Tiny Christmas Tree crochet pattern from The Nicole Chase.
A miniature snowman wearing a little hat is exactly the sort of decoration that makes people lean closer to the tree.
This design from The Nicole Chase measures approximately 2 inches and uses worsted weight yarn with a 4 mm hook. Small amounts of contrasting yarn provide the colourful details.
Choose this one if you enjoy working in the round, shaping a stuffed piece and adding finishing touches. Making several with different hat colours would give you a coordinated set without every ornament looking identical.
Find the free Tiny Snowman ornament crochet pattern.
Stitch by Fay’s little mouse makes a charming addition to a woodland Christmas tree.
The pattern uses DK cotton yarn with a 2.5 mm hook, and the finished ornament measures approximately 2½ inches square, including the ears. The rounded body is worked in continuous rounds, with separate ears and decorative details.
This is a good choice for someone comfortable with small amigurumi stitches. Keep the fabric firm enough to contain the stuffing without pulling every stitch so tightly that your hands complain.
Visit Stitch by Fay for the free crochet mouse ornament pattern.
A little mushroom is a lovely alternative to the usual Santa-and-snowman selection, especially if you enjoy woodland Christmas decorations.
Yarnspirations offers this Bernat design as a free downloadable pattern, with an easy skill rating. The finished mushroom measures approximately 4 inches high and 3 inches across.
It uses Bernat Super Value yarn and stuffing. Check those measurements before planning a miniature tree, as this ornament is larger than some of the tiny projects in this collection.
Download the free Bernat crochet mushroom ornament pattern at Yarnspirations.
This gingerbread decoration from A Crocheted Simplicity doubles as a candy cane holder, making it a lovely little gift with a treat attached.
The designer provides single-layer and double-layer options, so you can choose the construction that suits your project. The pattern is rated easy and uses worsted weight yarn with a 4 mm hook.
At approximately 5½ inches high, excluding the hanging loop, it is a substantial ornament rather than a tiny motif. Allow time for the face and icing details, because those are what give the gingerbread its character.
Find the free gingerbread man candy cane holder crochet pattern.
The reindeer version from A Crocheted Simplicity is another useful option for combining a handmade ornament with a small Christmas treat.
The pattern is rated easy and uses worsted weight yarn and a 4 mm hook. The finished decoration measures approximately 4½ inches high and 2½ inches wide, excluding the hanging loop.
Instructions include an embroidered-eye option. Brown, cream and a small amount of red create the familiar festive look without requiring a large yarn purchase.
Make the free crochet reindeer candy cane holder ornament.
If you want to give plain baubles a handmade finish, the Hopscotch ornament from Green Fox Farms Designs adds an interesting textured cover.
The designer specifies worsted weight yarn, a 5 mm hook and a 67–70 mm plastic ornament. Allow approximately 40–50 yards of yarn.
This pattern is rated intermediate. It is a better choice for someone ready to explore the stitch pattern than for a complete beginner. Check the size of your bauble before starting, as the cover needs to fit its supporting form.
Follow the free Hopscotch bauble crochet pattern.
A tiny Christmas sweater is wonderfully cheerful, whether you decorate it tastefully or embrace the full ugly-sweater spirit.
Zamiguz’s design begins at the ribbed turtleneck, with the sleeves worked afterwards. The designer rates it intermediate and recommends fine or DK yarn.
The DK sample uses approximately 50 yards and measures around 3½ inches high. Embroidery offers plenty of room for personalisation, but plain stripes can be just as effective when working at this scale.
Get the free mini crochet sweater ornament pattern at Zamiguz.
Kirsten Holloway Designs’ poinsettia is a beautiful choice if you enjoy delicate thread crochet and traditional Christmas flowers.
This intermediate pattern uses size 10 crochet thread and a 1.4 mm steel hook. The finished flower measures approximately 4¼ inches across.
The materials include a blocking board and starching spray, so plan for finishing time as well as crochet. A poinsettia like this would make a lovely reusable gift topper before earning its place on the tree.
Find the free poinsettia flower ornament crochet pattern.
Our CraftBits puffy Christmas tree is another option for crocheters who enjoy working with thread.
The pattern lists size 10 crochet cotton and a finished height of approximately 3¼ inches. Its tiered construction creates a different look from a simple flat triangle.
Read the instructions through before starting, particularly the sections worked into the remaining loops of earlier rounds. This is one to choose when you fancy a little detail rather than a quick first crochet project.
Find the free vintage puffy crochet Christmas tree pattern on CraftBits.
Start with the yarn weight specified in your chosen pattern. A small substitution can change the finished size, and that matters when a cover must fit a particular bauble.
For projects made from leftovers, sort your yarn by thickness before sorting it by colour. Two yarns that look perfect together in the basket may behave quite differently once crocheted.
If you need a few colours to pull a collection together, browse the yarn selection at Mary Maxim and match the yarn weight to your pattern. A shared cream, red or green can help a mixture of leftover colours feel intentional.
For more ideas on combining nostalgic ornaments, woodland details and festive crochet around the home, explore our Christmas crochet trends and free patterns.
Test the hanging loop before fastening it permanently. Hold the ornament up and check that it faces forwards instead of tipping sideways.
Keep stuffed ornaments light. Add enough filling to support the shape, then check how the ornament hangs.
Finish the back as carefully as the front. Tree decorations turn, and gift toppers often get inspected from every angle.
Plan for blocking. Flat shapes and thread crochet flowers may need shaping before they look their best. Follow the designer’s finishing instructions and check that any stiffening product suits your fibre.
Choose embellishments for the recipient. For decorations likely to be handled by very young children, avoid detachable small parts and use embroidered details instead.
The Whitefield Wreath and Mini Santa Hat are good patterns to consider if you already know basic crochet stitches. Read the stitch list first and choose a project whose construction feels manageable.
Yes. Many small ornaments need only modest amounts of yarn, although some use more than their size suggests. Keep enough matching yarn for repeated pieces, such as ears, sleeves or both sides of a decoration.
Some do. The tiny tree, snowman, mouse and mushroom are stuffed designs. Other projects use flat construction, an open shape or a separate supporting ornament.
No. A stuffed figure or bauble cover generally gets its shape from its construction. Delicate thread crochet and some flat motifs may benefit from blocking or stiffening, depending on the designer’s instructions.
Absolutely. Tie one onto a parcel, add it to a Christmas card or make a small coordinated set. Include a note explaining that the decoration can be untied and kept.
You do not need to crochet enough ornaments for an entire tree to make something special. Start with one little wreath, one mouse or one snowman, and see where the yarn basket takes you.
A handful of handmade decorations can become the pieces everyone looks for when the Christmas boxes come out. Slightly crooked bow and all.
I have just started to work on the crochet afghan i need to finish before next christmas. Along with that i’m working on designing a doily pattern.
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet my first afghan. It will be king size and made of eco-organic cotton. 🙂
My goal is to finish the afghan I have in progress, edge another finished afghan for granddaughter’s birthday in Feb, and see if I can figure out the pattern to restart a strip afghan that began probably 12 years ago. Sort of looks like I’m in ‘afghan mode’, huh? LOL
My crochet goal for this year is to do some more filet crochet. I finished a project for a Christmas present this past year, and was so pleased with the results, that I’m ready to tackle another project…I think they are so pretty when done…
I hope to learn how to crochet sweaters,My goal is to learn how to make the arm holes I always get confessed an then toss it SO I hope to accompish(sp) this as my main goal.Thank you for this contest
My goal for this year will be to finish the 50 projects I started last year! I have about 25 afghans, 6 baby outfits and bunches of other things like doll outfits,toys ect.
Happy New Year!
My goal is to finish all my current WIP. Not to say I won’t start new ones but some of my in proress afghans have been in progress for over a year. 🙂
My goal is to make a hat that actually fits and looks decent (hats are my crochet achilles heel)
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet a ripple blanket for my 4 years old son.
My goal is to use yarn on hand to finish a baby afghan, several scarfs and a scrap afghan.Organizing my supplies would also be a nice goal. Thanks!
My goal is to try some of the new patterns I’ve amassed this year. I’ve been busy making for other people–now I want to make some things for myself–wearables & afghans.
Ooh – I’ve wanted this book for awhile but haven’t yet purchased it. That would be perfect!
My crochet goal for the year is to make everything in my Amigurumi Two book (so cute!) and to give it all away via The Toy Society. Not only can I brighten someone’s day, I can whittle down my yarn stash in the process. Win-win!
My goal this year is to make 55 or more cancer and/or winter caps for kids. In August I will be 55 years old, born in 1955, so decided 55 was a good number!
I have two afghans that are on my new years resolutions list to finish! I’ve been working on the one for probably 5 years (ridiculous, I know!) and the other for about a year.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to start crocheting again. I did it for many years, and just stopped. Now I want to do some baby afghans for my new granddaughter and a few for my house, including a King size for my bed. not sure on patterns yet.
sandym204 @ gmail dot com
Quite a few! My closest goal to completion is a huge Super Mario for a friend as a belated christmas/birthday present. Then I get to teach myself how to really work in a round, make some amigurumi for another friend overseas, and a bunny doll for my daughter. Like Salihan, I’d like to make my first afghan, though not quite as large! I’m really looking forward to lots of projects and new stitches =]
Have a great week!
My goal is to crochet a queen size bedspread form my bed.
My crochet goal for the year is to finish working on a throw which will be a wedding present for my son & d-i-l to be.
Great question! My goal is to complete 20 different types of crochet projects in 2010.
Each year since the 2000 I’ve done a “top 20” resolution. I’ve tasted 20 different wines, seen 20 movies by one actor, read 20 different books on one topic, etc. This year’s 20 is the crochet goal.
I just learned to crochet a few months ago and think this goal is going to give me a great opportunity to work on a variety of different short-term and long-term projects. Wish me luck!
I want to complete a top for myself. I usually only crochet for others.
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet something for as many categories as I can for our county fair. Usually I just go to my stash to see what I have made, and then find a category for it to fit in. This year I want to make so different items.
my crochet goal for 2010…to finish my christmas gifts for 2010. I’ve got a list made of all the things I want to make for everyone (i.e., sweater for sis, cardigan for bil, afghans for nieces, etc). I’ve already started…went out and bought yarn for two of the sweaters yesterday. Now to get organized and started. 🙂
My crochet goal for this year is to keep crocheting even after my newborn arrives in mid-April! I have a couple of cute sweaters I want to crochet for her and am hoping to have time to make multiple sizes. Also, I want to make a beautiful ruffled capelet for myself.
I have two crochet goals this year: One is to put together some granny squares that my mom crocheted (she has since passed on) and the other is to learn how to make circular granny squares (if that makes any sense!!)
My first goal this year is matching yarn in my stash with patterns. The project plan is for crocheting hats, scarves, prayer shawls,soldiers beanies and premature infant caps for a variety of charities.
My crochet goal for this year is to attempt to crochet a wearable garment for myself. The past year I crocheted wearable things for my 1 year old granddaughter and everything fit!
I’m new to crochet. My goal for this year is to try progressively challenging projects. One thing I really shy away from is any item that calls for color changes. The next “scary” project is clothing, so since I have a new grand daughter to be born Feb. 1 I WILL make her a baby sweater, hat and booties.
My crochet goal is to design my own pattern!
My goal is crocheting for a new great niece or nephew and a wedding present for a dear friends daughter. I am thinking a very nice shawl for the wedding, have the pattern picked out need to shop for a very nice white yarn. Then for the baby a sweater set. I have always had problems with sweaters, so I have a pattern and I am going to do it if it takes all year. My niece does not want to know what the sex of the child is going to be until it happens so I have to work with green and yellow yarn. Will be shopping for that also. Can’t wait to get started.
I am planning on using up all my cotton crochet threads by crocheting kitchen washcloths for gifts. I also plan to use up some of my wool yarns by doing some crocheting, then felting and see what happens. I live in a warm climate so wool sweaters are not appropriate!
This is the year I plan to make my first full size afghan, and I’m finally going to make a prayer shawl for myself.
My crochet goal this year is to reduce my HUGE stash of yarn! I want to make a multi-colored medallion type afghan too!
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet one square of a white crochet (size 10 thread) bedspread every week. I think at this rate I can complete a queen size bedspread by years end.
12 crocheted blanket for Project Linus, 1 sweater for myself, finish UFO afghan for my parents and figure out crocheted cables (in regular and afghan stitiches)
My goal is to make an afghan for both my mother and my sister
I am working on my first afghan…25 blocks of crochet ribbing plus a border!
This is my year to finally start (well, restart) my crochet business. First, I am going to start a blog. I am working on crochet designs to post and to sell via Etsy. I also will make items to sell also via Etsy. This has always been my dream and, as I am nearing 50, it is time to make it come true.
My main goal is to use up my worsted stash to create afghans, lapghans, etc., and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless. It sure is cold outside! My personal crochet goal is to sew some new hook roll up bags in order to keep my dozens of needles straight!
I started crocheting socks as 2009 was ending. My goal for 2010 is to modify my current sock pattern into the PERFECT sock pattern for my feet. Once I’ve done that, I’ll have to make new edits (and write them down!!) for my important family members who are going to be getting socks.
My crochet goal this year is twofold – one, to try to crochet at least one day a week, and two, to follow a pattern that is more difficult than “beginner”. I really want to hone my skills and create some of the beautiful things that I am inpired by from this blog!
My crochet goal for 2010 is to finally crochet a pair of socks. Sweater? Did that in 2009. Afghan? Done and done and done. But socks? Those are intimidating to me. But I’m up for the challenge!
And thanks for the blogtest!
My crochet goal is to figure out how to crochet! I can do the basic stitches but have trouble keeping the stitches consistent. I suppose it just takes practice, huh?
My crotchet goal for this year is to perfect the basic techniques, learn to read patterns, and crotchet something a bit more difficult than a scarf or wash cloth!
For 2010, I want to finish more projects than I start :o) I also want to make more items for me. I am blessed with some loved ones who deeply appreciate hand-made gifts but I spend all my time crafting for them.
Most of all, 2010 I will fear NO project! I have the skills to crochet anything I want and darn it, I’m going to do it!
First and formost for 2010 is to finish up ufo’s from 2009. Then I want to make each of my children(3) new hats and scarves, and possibly mittens. I also have about 100 other projects that I would love to do, time and stash permiting.
To crochet some vintage doilies and a shawl.. there are some really great patterns out there that I really want to try. Since I also knit I want to fit in some socks and some knit lace as well. Gonna be a fun year!
My crochet goal is to use up all my old yarn so I can buy some nice new yarn!
My goal is to continue to use up my stash by making colorful ripple afghans, granny square afghans and hats. I am going to search charitable organizations to donate some of the items to and set some aside for Christmas presents. I am also determined to find a decent mitten pattern. Once my stash is gone, I am going to reward myself by making a soft afghan in colors that appeal to ME and I will wrap up in it and crochet some MORE!!!
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet each of my children an afghan.
My goal for the year 2010, is to expand my knowledge in crocheting. I want to tackle patterns that I want to do. I have never tried the ripple, and want to make an afghan using this pattern. I want to try to crochet amigurumi items. I have the Grim Reaper pattern and want to make it. This requires reading a chart. I want to be comfidant in my crocheting.
Thanks.