With this festive crochet Christmas garland free pattern, you can bring your holiday season decoration to the next crafty level. Did you know? Christmas garlands are not only mere decoration pieces for the holidays, but they are historically one of the biggest representations of faith.
For Christians, the traditional round shaped garlands represented the “infinite” love of Jesus. Keep scrolling for this crochet Christmas lights garland pattern.
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Over the years, the traditional greenery of pines and spruces gave place to more sophisticated and colorful creations. In fact, creativity has no limits when it comes garlands, you can find them in all shapes and forms.
Garlands can be used as one of the most cheerful and festive decor pieces for your home.
I made this crochet Christmas garland with 6 light bulbs. And I also added a few golden craft jingle bells I bought at Michaels to give it a festive look. It only took me one day to make it.
Table of Contents
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What you need to make a crochet Christmas garland
You will probably find everything you need to make this garland right at your craft drawers and stash. By the way, you can use different kind of yarns and play with colors and other Christmas ornaments to make a festive garland.
First, you will only need a small amount of yarn (scroll down to read more about the yarn), then find a crochet hook suitable for your yarn, then and some stuffing fiber. That’s it!
The metal jingle bells are optional and the pattern is very forgiving for customization. Here is exactly what you will need.
- 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook
- Stuffing fiber, like fiberfill
- Yarn needle
- Metal jingle bells (optional)
- Stitch markers (optional, see notes section below)
How to customize your crochet Christmas garland
This pattern brings you multiple opportunities for customization. In addition to the light bulbs, you can complement it by adding store bought ornaments, like I did with the golden jingle bells.
Or you can make other small crochet holiday appliqués. Such as trees, snowflakes, gingerbread men, the possibilities are endless.
Another thing you can do with this garland is to make it longer. For that, you can add more light bulbs, I’ll show you how to do it in the instructions below.
Best yarns for crochet Christmas garland patterns
The best yarns for garlands are the worsted weight (#4/Aran) or lighter ones. The reason not to use chunkier yarns is because crochet garlands are made with multiple small hanging ornaments or appliqués. The lighter the yarn, the more delicate your garland will look.
I used 24/7 100% mercerized cotton yarn, worsted weight (4) by Lion Brand, for this pattern. 24/7 is a yarn labeled as worsted weight (#4/Aran), but it feels more like a lighter weight (DK).
In fact, if you use any other light weight yarn you may get about the same size light bulbs I did, maybe a little smaller.
However, if you want your lights to be smaller or bigger, it’s completely fine as well. Feel free to use any kind of yarn you like. Please see the notes section about tension.
If you use the same yarn, here is how much you will need for a crochet Christmas garland with 6 lights:
- Color 1 for the base cap: approx. 0.13 oz (4 g) | 7 yds (6 m) for one light or a total of 0.8 oz (23 g) | 43 yds (39 m) for 6 lights. I used color Sky.
- Color 2 for the light bulb: approx. 0.7 oz (20 g) | 37 yds (34 m) for one light or a total of 4.2 oz (119 g) | 223 yds (204 m) for 6 lights. I used colors Grass, White, Red, Lemon, Aqua and Tangerine for the light bulbs.
Notes about this crochet Christmas garland pattern:
- This pattern was written using US crochet terminology.
- These light bulbs are made from top down using the “rag doll” technique. First of all, you will crochet two separate panels in flat back-and-forth rows. Then you will attach them together with single crochet stitches. Which gives them a 2-D look after stuffing them with fiberfill.
- When you have all lights done, make a string with simple chain stitches and attach the lights as you go.
- Gauge is not crucial, but it’s important that you keep your tension tight (scroll down for sizing information). Although gauge is not mandatory, you may use a smaller hook if needed to achieve the same size.
- A stuffing tool, like a craft dowel, may be helpful when adding fiber.
- In addition to all material and tools, stitch markers may be helpful with placement when joining both sides of the light together.
- The process of joining the panels with single crochet stiches may seem scary at first if you are not used to the rag doll crochet technique. But it’s very simple, only takes a little practice for you to get the hang of it. By the way, this project is perfect to get you started with this crochet “rag doll” technique.
Pattern abbreviations
- approx.: approximately
- ch: chain
- C1: Color 1
- C2: Color 2
- inc: increase (2 sc in next stitch)
- dec: decrease (single crochet 2 together)
- FO: fasten off
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sk: skip
- sc: single crochet
- ( ): repeat instructions within parenthesis as many times as directed
- [ ]: stitch count in a row
Sizing information
A finished light bulb with the base cap will measure approximately 6 in (15 cm) long x 3.5 in (9 cm) wide. The whole garland string, with 6 lights, will measure approximately 60 in (152 cm) long.
Crochet Christmas garland tutorial
Make 2 identical panels. See “notes section” above about the technique we are using. You will make one side of the light, then the second one and join both together with single crochet stitches. Then you stuff it with fiber.
Total Time: 1 day
Step 1: Make first section (the base cap)
With C1, ch 6
Row1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in every ch across, ch 1, turn [5]
Row2: inc, sc in next 3 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [7]
Row3: inc, sc in next 5 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [9]
Row4-6: sc across, ch 1, turn [9]
Note: when done with row 6, cut the yarn. FO. Attach yarn C2 and ch 1 to continue to the bulb section.
Step 2: Change the yarn
When you are done with section 1, cut C1 and pull the end through the last stitch, you can weave it in at the back of your work to secure it. Next, insert the hook in that stitch again like you would if you were to continue with the same yarn. Then, pull up a loop with the new yarn. Again, you can weave in the end of the new yarn at the back to secure it. Make 1 ch and continue following the instructions below.
Step 3: Make section 2 (the light bulb)
Row7: inc, sc in next 7 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [11]
Row8: inc, sc in next 9 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [13]
Row9: inc, sc in next 11 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [15]
Row10: inc, sc in next 13 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [17]
Row11: inc, sc in next 15 sts, inc, ch 1, turn [19]
Row12-15: sc across, ch 1, turn [19]
Row16: dec, sc in next 15 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [17]
Row17-18: sc across, ch 1, turn [17]
Row19: dec, sc in next 13 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [15]
Row20-21: sc across, ch 1, turn [15]
Row22: dec, sc in next 11 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [13]
Row23: sc across, ch 1, turn [13]
Row24: dec, sc in next 9 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [11]
Row25: sc across, ch 1, turn [11]
Row26: dec, sc in next 7 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [9]
Row27: sc across, ch 1, turn [9]
Row28: dec, sc in next 5 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [7]
Row29: dec, sc in next 3 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [5]
Row30: dec, sc in next st, dec [3]
FO. Cut the yarn.
Step 4: sc around to attach the two panels together
There is no right or wrong side, so it doesn’t matter which one you use on the outside.
1. First, align both panels together, matching up the sides and colors.
2. Start with section 2 (yarn C2). Attach both panels by inserting the hook in the first stitch on the edge. On top of section two in both pieces at the same time. Grab the yarn, yo, pull up a loop, sl st tightly.
3. From here, you will do one sc for every st around, through the end of section 2. Make two sc sts in each corner in the bottom of the light.
4. You may tuck in the yarn ends to the inside as you go, so you don’t have to weave them in later. Just make sure they are all secure with a knot, so it won’t unravel later.
5. Once you sc all around the bulb, sl st tightly at the end. FO. Cut the yarn.
Step 5: stuff the light bulb with fiber fill
Add stuffing fiber to section 2 only for now. Use enough fiber to make it firm but do not overstuff it. Now, it’s the time you can use a stuffing tool or any pointy object to help you add the fiber all the way to the bottom, so you don’t have any empty spaces. As a side note, you can use your fingers to do that step, if you don’t have a stuffing tool.
Step 6: Finish joining
Lastly, use C1 to finish joining the base cap of the light. Repeat previous steps and leave a hole large enough to finish stuffing towards the end. Then, add more single crochet stitches to close the opening. FO. Cut the yarn. Weave in the ends.
Step 7: Make the string and attach the lights
The string can be made with any yarn of your preference. I used C2 (Green Grass).
Start by chaining 50. Do not cut the yarn. Grab the first light and do 2 slip stitches into the top two stitches on the base cap.
Add golden jingle bells in the spaces between the lights as you go, but that’s totally optional. *Make 30 chains, attach the next light with 2 slip stitches. Repeat from the asterisk to attach all lights. Finish off with 50 more chains. FO. Cut the yarn.
Estimated Cost: 20.00 USD
Supply:
- Worsted weight yarn
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
Materials: Metal jingle bells
Conclusion
Whether you will use your crochet Christmas garland as a religious purpose or just for your holidays home decoration, I hope you enjoyed the pattern. Drop a comment below if you have any questions or if you just would like to say “hi”. Another way to reach out to me is by joining my community group on Facebook.
If you use any of my patterns or tutorials for a project, please tag me @zamiguz or use the hashtag #zamiguzmakers. I would love to see what you make.
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