Looking for a free crochet Christmas tree ornament pattern to decorate your home this holiday season? This cute Santa or Gnome is easy and quick to crochet and will look great, not only on your tree, but also as a garland for your mantel.
Are you a fan of a project that you can mix crochet with other skills, such as pompom making and simple embroidery? Then, this free pattern is for you. I loved making these little Santa ornaments.
And, before you proceed to the written pattern, I would like to mention I’ve published a video with the pattern highlights. If you’re a visual learner and like videos to follow along with the written pattern, have it open in your browser or mobile while you crochet.
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Table of Contents
How to Crochet a Christmas Tree Ornament
This crochet Christmas tree ornament is the perfect holiday project to decorate your home with something handmade. And the best is you can make it in just under 2 hours. Here is how you will make it:
- First, you will crochet the hat using single crochet stitches, in continuous rounds.
- Secondly, you will embroider some stars around the hat. This step is optional, but you will love how simple it is to do it.
- Next, you will attach the hanging loop with a bead on top of the hat.
- Then, you will make the pompom using a pompom maker, trim it and attach it to the hat.
- And finally, you will attach another bead for the nose.
Materials and Tools you will need
A small crochet Christmas tree ornament, such as this one, only takes a few tools and a small amount of yarn. Here is what you will need:
- Worsted weight (#4) / Aran yarn (see my recommendations below)
- 3.5 mm (US E) hook
- 1 pompom maker 3.25” (8 cm) in diameter. I have this Clover PomPom maker set.
- Stitch Marker
- 2 wood or skin colored plastic beads with holes (15mm), for the nose and top of the hat
- Tapestry Needle
- A craft string or thread for the hanging loop, such as jute rope, about 15” (38 cm)
- Scraps of white crochet thread to embroider the stars and attach the nose
- A sharp pair of Scissors
Best yarns for crochet Christmas tree ornaments
Any worsted weight yarn (#4) from your stash will work out great for this pattern. Since Christmas ornaments are small, they will look better with lighter weight yarns.
Here are the yarns I used:
- 24/7 Mercerized Cotton by Lion Brand (in color red) for the hat. You will need approximately 2.89 oz = 0.76 oz (22 g), or 40 yds (37 m.
- Any worsted weight (#4) 100% acrylic white yarn for the pompom/beard. I used Red Heart With Love. The amount I used was approximately 1.02 oz (29 g), or 54 yds (50 m).
Can I make this ornament larger?
Yes, you certainly can. I found it that the perfect size to fit my pompom was to crochet the hat up to round 31. But it’s possible to adapt it to a different size if you have a larger or smaller pompom maker.
I have included instructions in this pattern, including more rounds, to make the hat and the pompom larger if that’s what you aim for.
Pattern Notes & Instructions
- Crochet Christmas Tree Ornament Pattern level of difficulty: Easy.
- This pattern was written using US crochet terminology.
- Does gauge matter? Not necessarily, but the hat can’t be too big or too small because it needs to be proportional to the pompom in size (and vice-versa).
- If you’re using the same material I used, you should get a cone approximately 2” (5 cm) tall for the first 12 rounds of the hat pattern.
Skills and Techniques
This is such a simple and mindful crochet Christmas tree ornament project. It’s small and quick to work on and it takes a small amount of yarn.
But here is what you will need to know to complete this crochet Christmas tree ornament:
- Single crochet (sc) stitch – insert the hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over again, pull up a loop.
- Single crochet in continuous rounds – if you have never made an Amigurumi before, this is the technique used for that kind of project. It means you don’t join your rounds with a slip stitch, but just keep going in a spiral.
- Single crochet increase (inc) – two single crochet stiches in the same stitch from previous rounds. This what creates the “cone” look in the hat.
- Pompom making – there are a few ways to make pompoms out there, but for this project we are using a pompom maker. If you don’t have one and don’t intend to purchase one, you may be able to use a piece of cardboard if you like.
- Simple embroidery – this step will be optional, but you will need to know the basics of embroidery if you would like to have the stars on the hat.
Stitch Abbreviations and Terms
- approx.: approximately
- ch: chain/chains
- inc: increase (2 sc in the next stitch)
- FO: Fasten-Off
- mc: magic circle
- rep: repeat
- Rnd: Round
- sc: single crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sk: skip
- ( ): repeat instructions within parenthesis as many times as directed
- [ ]: stitch count in a round
Sizing information
The finished hat will be approximately 5” (13 cm) tall, which was a perfect size for the 3.5” (9 cm) in diameter pompom I created. See gauge information in the pattern notes for more details on tension.
With those measurements, your finished crochet Christmas tree ornament will be about 7.75” (20 cm) tall.
More Free Patterns
- Crochet Christmas Garland Pattern
- Christmas Garland Patterns Roundup
- Christmas Crochet Stocking Pattern
- Easy Under 2-Hour Crochet Beanie Patterns
- Quick Crochet Gifts Patterns Roundup
Would you rather have a PDF?
An inexpensive PDF (costs less than a coffee) download for this crochet Christmas tree ornament can be purchase in my Etsy or Ravelry pattern shops here:
Pattern Highlights Video
If you’re a visual learner and would like to follow a video while making your crochet Christmas tree ornament, check this YouTube video out (no audio).
Crochet Christmas Tree Ornament Step by Step
Start making your Christmas ornament here. The instructions in this first step are for the size informed in the pattern. But if you’d rather make it larger, you will find the pattern in the 2nd step.
Total Time: 2 hours
Make the hat
Rnd1: 3 sc in a mc (magic circle) to start your crochet Christmas tree ornament.
Tip: make the first 3 sts loosely, that way it will be easier to insert the hook to crochet the next round.
Rnd2: (inc) 3 times. [6]
Rnd3: sc around. [6]
Rnd4: (inc, sc) 3 times. [9]
Rnd5: sc around. [9]
Rnd6: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 3 times. [12]
Rnd7: sc around. [12]
Rnd8: (inc, sc in next 3 sts) 3 times. [15]
Rnd9: sc around. [15]
Rnd10: (inc, sc in next 4 sts) 3 times. [18]
Rnd11: sc around. [18]
Rnd12: (inc, sc in next 5 sts) 3 times. [21]
Rnd13: sc around. [21]
Rnd14: (inc, sc in next 6 sts) 3 times. [24]
Rnd15: sc around. [24]
Rnd16: (inc, sc in next 7 sts) 3 times. [27]
Rnd17: sc around. [27]
Rnd18: (inc, sc in next 8 sts) 3 times. [30]
Rnd19: sc around. [30]
Rnd20: (inc, sc in next 9 sts) 3 times. [33]
Rnd21: sc around. [33]
Rnd22: (inc, sc in next 10 sts) 3 times. [36]
Rnd23: sc around. [36]
Rnd24: (inc, sc in next 11 sts) 3 times. [39]
Rnd25: sc around. [39]
Rnd26: (inc, sc in next 12 sts) 3 times. [42]
Rnd27: sc around. [42]
Rnd28: (inc, sc in next 13 sts) 3 times. [45]
Rnd29: sc around. [45]
Rnd30: (inc, sc in next 14 sts) 3 times. [48]
Rnd31: sc around. [48]
FO. Cut the yarn. Weave in the end or tuck it inside. I stopped here because it was the perfect hat size to suit my 3.5” (9 cm) in diameter pompom.
Making the hat larger (optional)
Continue here if you would rather make your crochet Christmas tree ornament larger. I would recommend making the pompom and then the hat if you’re making it larger. Then, use these next instructions to keep increasing the hat’s size to make it proportional to your pompom.
Rnd32: (inc, sc in next 15 sts) 3 times. [51]
Rnd33: sc around. [51]
Rnd34: (inc, sc in next 16 sts) 3 times. [54]
Rnd35: sc around. [54]
Rnd36: (inc, sc in next 17 sts) 3 times. [57]
Rnd37: sc around. [57]
Rnd38: (inc, sc in next 18 sts) 3 times. [60]
Rnd39: sc around. [60]
Rnd40: (inc, sc in next 19 sts) 3 times. [63]
Rnd41: sc around. [63]
Rnd42: (inc, sc in next 20 sts) 3 times. [66]
Rnd43: sc around. [66]
Rnd44: (inc, sc in next 21 sts) 3 times. [69]
Rnd45: sc around. [69]
Rnd46: (inc, sc in next 22 sts) 3 times. [72]
Rnd47: sc around. [72]
FO. Cut the yarn. Weave in the end or tuck it inside.
Embroider the star on the hat (optional)
We will use a technique called the Algerian Eye Stitch, which is a simple embroidery stitch. Thread the tapestry needle with white thread and embroider the stars randomly around the crochet Christmas tree ornament hat.
1. Pick a spot/stitch to to be the eye (center) of the star.
2. Work from the outside of the eye, inserting the needle towards the middle, in a circle.
3. Do as many stitches as needed to fill the star, until you’re happy with the result (see video with pattern highlights).
4. Bring the tail to the inside when you’re done. FO. Cut the tail.
Attach the hanging loop
Fold the string in half and insert it to the top of the hat, from the inside, using your crochet hook to pull the loop to the outside. Leaving both ends of the loop inside.
Next, tie both ends inside so it doesn’t come off. Or tie a small bead or button to the inside ends so secure it.
Then, insert the loop in one of the beads, on top of the hat, making a knot close to the hole so it won’t come off.
Make the pompom
Wrap the yarn about 7 times around each side of the pompom maker. Making sure you keep it even, so you can have a nice looking/even beard for your Santa crochet Christmas tree ornament.
When you finish wrapping the yarn, you should have a layer of about 1.5” (3.75 cm) in thickness on each side of the pompom maker.
Lock the pompom maker and use a sharp pair of scissors to cut both pompom layers.
Cut a separate strand of white yarn, about 40″ (102 cm), fold it in half to make it extra strong, and use it to tie the pompom in the middle. Then, use the leftover tails to sew the pompom on to the hat.
Attach the pompom on the bottom of the hat
In case you’re wondering, you don’t have to stuff the crochet Christmas tree ornament hat with fiber, unless you want to. I used cotton yarn, so it was sturdy enough to make it firm and not floppy.
I had to do a few experiments to find the best way to attach the hat on to the pompom. Here is what worked best:
Use the 4 leftover strands from the knot you made to tie the pompom.
1. First, thread the tapestry needle with the strands, one at a time. Then bring those ends to the opposite side of the pompom, in four different spots. Make them evenly spread to a distance that will be about the diameter of the hat.
2. Place the hat on top of the pompom, where you brought the strands out and stitch them to one surface stitch inside of the hat, about two rounds away from the edge. One at time.
3. Next, thread the needle again with those ends, one at a time, and bring them back to the bottom of the pompom.
4. Finish off by tying them to each other and cutting the excess to blend with the pompom.
Attach the nose and finish off
Use a strand of white crochet thread to attach the nose (one of the beads) to where you want the face of your Santa crochet Christmas tree ornament to be.
Start by inserting one end of the thread to the bead’s hole. Then, thread the tapestry needle with both ends and bring them to the back or to the bottom of the pompom.
FO and cut the thread to blend the ends with the pompom. Weave in any left ends and finish off by trimming the pompom further, if you feel like it needs some final touches.
Estimated Cost: 5.00 USD
Supply:
- Medium weight yarn (#4) / Aran
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (US E) hook, pompom maker, tapestry needle, scissors
Materials: 2 wood or skin colored plastic beads with holes (15mm), jute rope for the hanging loop, scraps of white tread for embroidery
Your crochet Christmas tree ornament is all done. Hopefully, you had fun making it. Remember, you can use your favorite colors and add your personal touch to customize it to match your holiday decoration colors.
Would you rather have a PDF?
An inexpensive PDF (costs less than a coffee) download for this crochet Christmas tree ornament can be purchase in my Etsy or Ravelry pattern shops here:
Get a free PDF download with code FREE-ORNAMENT on Ravelry valid through 10/26/23, limited to a total of 200 downloads (whatever comes first). Only 1 download per customer! While on Ravelry, please consider clicking on that “heart” icon.
What to do next
Drop a comment below if you have any questions or need assistance with this crochet Christmas tree ornament pattern 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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Vicki
Monday 23rd of October 2023
Sooo cute! Thank you for a free download!!!
Maggie
Monday 23rd of October 2023
You're very welcome, Vicki. I am so glad you like it. Thank you for commenting. Maggie