There’s something about a garland that makes a house feel like Christmas. It frames the mantel, softens the staircase, and somehow makes the whole room smell like pine and cookies. This year, skip the store-bought plastic strands and crochet your own — twelve of them, if you’re feeling ambitious. Below you’ll find free patterns for every style, from classic trees and stars to goofy smiley faces.
What you’ll need
- A crochet hook (3.5–5 mm covers most of these patterns)
- Worsted or DK weight yarn in Christmas shades: red, green, white, gold, brown
- Scissors and a yarn needle
- Twine, ribbon, or a sturdy crocheted chain for stringing the garland
- Optional: small bells, wooden beads, pom-poms, and felt for details
12 DIY Crochet Christmas Garlands
Save1. Christmas Trees & Stars Holiday Garland
The classic pairing that never misses. This garland alternates little green trees with golden stars — two motifs that work up fast, each using its own stitch pattern and measurements. Make a batch of each and string them together for a long, cheerful strand.
Tip: alternate red and gold stars between the trees for a more festive rhythm.
Save2. Easy Christmas Stocking Garland
Mini stockings are irresistible, and this one is beginner-friendly through and through — the free instructions use US stitches and come with plenty of helpful tips. Fill a few with candy for the kids, or leave them empty as pure decoration.
Tip: make them in alternating red, white, and green for a candy-cane effect.
Save3. Christmas Elements Colorful Garland
If you can’t choose just one motif, don’t. This cheerful garland mixes Santas, reindeer, Christmas trees, snowmen, and even a unicorn — all as little appliqués worked into one colorful strand. It’s the most playful piece on this list, and kids love picking out each character.
Tip: sew the appliqués onto the chain with a few loose stitches so the garland still drapes naturally.
Save4. Holiday Light Bulb Garland Pattern
Retro Christmas lights, minus the electricity bill. The bulbs are worked up first, then the sockets, and everything is assembled along a cord like the real thing. It’s an easy project, and the pattern leaves the color palette entirely up to you.
Tip: stuff the bulbs lightly with yarn scraps so they keep their rounded shape.
Save5. Bobble Trees Paired with Crochet Ball Garland
Five textured bobble-stitch trees dotted with 18 little yarn balls along 45 inches of twine — this one has a cozy, handmade-market look that’s hard to resist. Made for the mantel, it hangs beautifully over a doorway too.
Tip: use a super-bulky yarn and a large hook to make the trees chunkier and faster.
Save6. Holiday Ripple Garland Pattern
Two shades of yarn, one long wavy strip, zero fuss. This ripple garland is the fastest way to get handmade texture across a mantel or around a tree — work the wave pattern in the color combination that matches your decor, from soft pastels to classic Christmas shades.
Tip: try classic red and white, or swap in forest green and gold for an elegant twist.
Save7. Handmade Crochet Garland
Another ripple, but warmer and simpler — just a few rows of simple ripples that work up effortlessly and spread festive charm on their own. It hangs beautifully along a doorway or draped over a mirror, wherever your room needs a little warmth.
Tip: work it extra long and double it up for a fuller, more luxurious drape.
Save8. Crochet Gnome Garland
Gnomes are having a moment, and Christmas gnomes are the best of them. This garland strings together little gnome faces — pointy hats, fluffy beards, button noses — for a whimsical Scandinavian touch that works in any room.
Tip: vary the hat colors — red, grey, and forest green — so each gnome has its own personality.
Save9. Frosted Cookie Garland
Cookies you can’t eat but can’t stop looking at. The designer worked all the elements first — the little treats and cookie shapes — then sewed them to a chain using a larger hook. It was made for the kitchen: hang it on the wall or the door where the real baking happens.
Tip: make the chain a little longer than you think you need — it shrinks the moment things get sewn on.
Save10. Snowman Garland Pattern
Happy little snowmen, each one made from two body pieces (9 cm and 18 cm tall), lined up in a row like they’re holding hands. These brighten up any winter corner — the kids’ bedroom door, the hallway mirror, or right across the front window.
Tip: give each snowman a different colored scarf so they look like a little family.
Save11. Crochet Christmas Smiley Faces Garland
The fun one. Heart-eyed faces, a Santa face blowing a kiss, a winking face, an elf smiling with hearts, a face with rolling eyes — this emoji-style garland is pure joy and a guaranteed hit with kids and grandkids. Each face is a simple circle with embroidered features, so it’s a great first project.
Tip: embroider the faces after stringing, so you can vary the expressions along the garland.
Save12. Amigurumi Christmas Hanging
A soft little 3D amigurumi piece to hang among your garland — or make a few and create a whole amigurumi strand. It uses the classic amigurumi stitch set (inc, ch, dec, dc, sl st, sc, and blo), so it’s a lovely way to practice plush techniques on a small, forgiving project.
Tip: crochet the pieces firmly with a small hook so the stuffing never shows through.
Caring for your crochet garlands
- Dust regularly: A quick shake or a lint roller keeps yarn garlands looking fresh all season.
- Spot clean only: Dab stains with a damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry — never machine wash unless the yarn label says so.
- Block flat before hanging: A light steam or pin-block keeps motifs from curling.
- Store flat or loosely coiled: Avoid tight folds that crease the motifs; a breathable cotton bag works best.
- Keep away from real candles: Yarn and open flame don’t mix — hang garlands well clear of candles and fireplaces.
Twelve garlands, twelve weekends of December — or one very dedicated weekend. Pick the one that made you smile, grab your hook, and start chaining. Happy holidays, and happy crocheting!
