7 Crochet Christmas Garland Patterns: Easy, Festive and Free
A handmade garland is one of the quickest ways to make a room feel like Christmas. These 7 crochet garland patterns come with full stitch-by-stitch instructions, so you can drape a mantel, frame a window or decorate a tree with something you made yourself.
Every garland uses basic stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet, increases and decreases), and each is built from small repeat motifs. That means you can make a few at a time, in front of the TV, and add more until the garland is as long as you want.
The 7 Garlands at a Glance
| # | Garland | Skill level | Time | Motifs for 150 cm (60 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circle Ornament Garland | Beginner | 3 hours | 20 circles |
| 2 | Pennant Bunting Garland | Beginner | 3 hours | 14 flags |
| 3 | Stepped Tree Garland | Easy | 3 hours | 8 trees |
| 4 | Granny Square Garland | Easy | 4 hours | 9 squares |
| 5 | Pom-Pom and Chain Garland | Beginner | 3 hours | 24 pom-poms |
| 6 | Candy Cane Garland | Easy | 3.5 hours | 10 candy canes |
| 7 | Mini Wreath Garland | Easy | 3 hours | 15 wreaths |
Before You Start
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- inc: increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
- dec: decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
- MR: magic ring
- sp: space
- FO: fasten off
- ( ) x N: repeat the instructions in brackets N times
- [ ]: stitch count at the end of the round or row
Materials Used in Every Garland
- Yarn: worsted weight (weight 4) cotton or acrylic in red, green, white and optionally gold. Cotton gives crisper shapes; acrylic is softer and cheaper.
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) unless the pattern says otherwise. Use a hook one size smaller if your stitches look loose.
- Also useful: tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker, and about 170 cm (67 in) of string, twine or a crocheted chain to hang the motifs from.
How to Make the Base Cord
You can hang the motifs from jute twine or ribbon, or crochet your own cord: make a slip knot, then ch until the chain measures 160 cm (63 in). Leave 10 cm (4 in) tails at each end for hanging loops.
General Notes
- Patterns 1, 6 and 7 are worked in a continuous spiral; do not join rounds. Mark the first stitch of every round.
- Sizes are approximate. Crochet a test motif first and change the hook size if needed.
- Attach every motif to the cord with a few small stitches, spacing them evenly. Stitch from the back so the thread does not show.
Garland 1: Circle Ornament Garland
Simple flat discs in red, green and white, strung like festive baubles.
- Motif size: about 5.5 cm (2.25 in) across
- Yarn: about 80 m (88 yd) in total for 20 circles
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6)
Circle (make 20: 7 red, 7 green, 6 white)
- R1: MR, 6 sc [6]
- R2: inc x 6 [12]
- R3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 [18]
- R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 [24]
- R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 [30]
Sl st in the next st and FO, leaving a 20 cm (8 in) tail. Weave in the starting tail and keep the finishing tail for sewing.
Assembly: Lay the cord on a flat surface and arrange the circles along it, alternating colours, about 2 cm (3/4 in) apart. Sew the top of each circle to the cord with 3 or 4 small stitches. For extra sparkle, sew a button or small bead in the centre of each circle.
Garland 2: Pennant Bunting Garland
Triangular flags that decrease at both edges. This is the quickest garland in the collection.
- Motif size: about 9 cm wide x 5.5 cm tall (3.5 x 2.25 in)
- Yarn: about 60 m (65 yd) in total for 14 flags
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6)
Pennant (make 14, alternating red, green and white)
- Foundation: ch 17
- Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn [16]
- Row 2: dec, sc in the next 12 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [14]
- Row 3: dec, sc in the next 10 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [12]
- Row 4: dec, sc in the next 8 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [10]
- Row 5: dec, sc in the next 6 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [8]
- Row 6: dec, sc in the next 4 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [6]
- Row 7: dec, sc in the next 2 sts, dec, ch 1, turn [4]
- Row 8: dec x 2, ch 1, turn [2]
- Row 9: dec [1]
FO and weave in the ends.
Assembly: Lay the flags along the cord with the wide edge at the top, 2 cm (3/4 in) apart. Sew the top edge of each flag to the cord, catching the cord with small stitches along the whole 9 cm width so the flags hang straight.
Garland 3: Stepped Tree Garland
A row of flat pine trees, each with four stepped tiers. Pairs well with the trees in our other patterns.
- Motif size: about 7.5 cm wide x 5 cm tall (3 x 2 in)
- Yarn: about 35 m (38 yd) of green worsted in two or three shades, plus 8 m (9 yd) of brown
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4)
Tree (make 8)
- Foundation: ch 14
- Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn [13]
- Row 2: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn [13]
- Row 3: sl st in each of the first 2 sts, sc in the next 9 sts, leave the last 2 sts unworked, ch 1, turn [9]
- Row 4: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn [9]
- Row 5: sl st in each of the first 2 sts, sc in the next 5 sts, leave the last 2 sts unworked, ch 1, turn [5]
- Row 6: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn [5]
- Row 7: sl st in each of the first 2 sts, sc in the next st, leave the last 2 sts unworked, ch 1, turn [1]
- Row 8: sc in the st, ch 12, sl st in the same st to make a hanging loop. FO.
Trunk (brown, make 8)
- Foundation: ch 4
- Rows 1 to 3: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn [3]. FO, leaving a tail.
Sew the trunk to the bottom centre of each tree.
Assembly: Thread the cord through the loop at the top of each tree and space the trees about 8 cm (3 in) apart. If you want the trees to sit flat, tie a small knot on each side of every loop.
Recommended Product
Natural jute twine (3-ply, 2 mm). It is strong, does not stretch, and its rustic colour looks great against green. You can use it for Garlands 1 to 4 and 7 as well. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Garland 4: Granny Square Garland
Classic granny squares in red, white and green, hung as diamonds.
- Motif size: about 9 cm (3.5 in) square
- Yarn: about 120 m (130 yd) in total for 9 squares, in red, white and green
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6)
Granny square (make 9)
- R1 (red): MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 2, 3 dc in the ring, ch 2. Repeat from * 2 more times, then join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Pull the ring closed. You now have 4 groups of 3 dc and 4 corner ch-2 spaces. FO.
- R2 (white): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner sp. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. FO.
- R3 (green): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same corner sp. Ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, 3 dc in the last ch-1 sp, ch 1, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 [4 corners and 4 sides, each side with a 3 dc group]. FO and weave in the ends.
Assembly: Turn each square so that a corner points up. Sew the top corner of each square to the cord with 3 or 4 stitches, spacing the squares about 5 cm (2 in) apart.
Garland 5: Pom-Pom and Chain Garland
A soft, fluffy garland in snowy white, red and green, strung on a chunky crocheted chain.
- Size: pom-poms about 4.5 cm (1.75 in) across, 24 in total
- Yarn: about 120 m (130 yd) of worsted for the pom-poms and 25 m (27 yd) for the chain
- Hook: 6.0 mm (J/10) for the chain, with the yarn held double
Chain
- Make a slip knot, then ch until the chain measures 170 cm (67 in). FO leaving 15 cm (6 in) tails.
Pom-poms (make 24: 8 red, 8 white, 8 green)
- Open both halves of a 45 mm (1.75 in) pom-pom maker. Wind yarn around one half until it is full, then do the same on the other half.
- Close the maker and cut the yarn along the central slot with sharp scissors.
- Tie a 30 cm (12 in) strand tightly around the centre and knot it twice. Open the maker and remove the pom-pom.
- Trim the pom-pom into a neat round, keeping the tying strand as a tail.
Assembly: Place the pom-poms along the chain, alternating colours and spacing them about 6 cm (2.5 in) apart. Use each pom-pom’s tail to tie it to the chain with a double knot, passing the tail through a chain loop first. Trim the tails short.
Recommended Product
Clover Pom-Pom Maker, 45 mm. It makes round, even pom-poms in minutes, and each one is tied in the centre for a secure garland. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Garland 6: Candy Cane Garland
Striped, stuffed candy canes that can be bent into shape and hung on a cord or draped over a tree.
- Motif size: about 11 cm (4.25 in) tall
- Yarn: about 60 m (65 yd) in total for 10 canes, in red and white
- Hook: 3.0 mm (C/2)
- Other: fiberfill, chenille stems (pipe cleaners), stitch marker, tapestry needle
Work in a continuous spiral. Change colour every 2 rounds, carrying the unused yarn up the inside of the tube.
Candy cane (make 10)
- R1 to R2: with red, MR, 8 sc [8], then sc in each st around [8]
- R3 to R4: with white, sc in each st around [8]
- R5 to R6: with red, sc in each st around [8]
- R7 to R8: with white, sc in each st around [8]
- R9 to R10: with red, sc in each st around [8]
- R11 to R12: with white, sc in each st around [8]
- R13 to R14: with red, sc in each st around [8]
- R15 to R16: with white, sc in each st around [8]
- R17 to R18: with red, sc in each st around [8]
- R19 to R20: with white, sc in each st around [8]
- R21: with red, dec x 4 [4]
Before closing, cut a chenille stem to 14 cm (5.5 in), fold 1 cm (1/2 in) at each end, and slide it into the tube. Stuff lightly around it. FO, thread the tail through the front loops of the last 4 stitches, pull tight and weave in the end.
Assembly: Bend the top 4 cm (1.5 in) of each cane into a hook shape. Attach the candy canes to the cord by tying a short loop of white yarn around the top of each cane and knotting it onto the cord, or simply hang them over the cord by their hooks.
Garland 7: Mini Wreath Garland
Tiny wreaths worked around metal rings, with a red bow on each one.
- Motif size: about 5 cm (2 in) across
- Yarn: about 55 m (60 yd) of green worsted for 15 wreaths, plus 15 m (16 yd) of red
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6)
- Other: fifteen 5 cm (2 in) metal craft rings, tapestry needle
Wreath (make 15)
- Tie the green yarn to the ring with a knot, leaving a 10 cm (4 in) tail.
- Round 1: work sc around the ring, covering it completely and pushing the stitches close together (about 28 to 32 sc). Sl st to the first sc and FO. Tie the two tails together at the back and trim.
Bow (make 15)
- Cut a 20 cm (8 in) strand of red yarn. Tie it in a bow around the ring at the bottom, trim the ends to equal lengths and fray them slightly.
Assembly: Thread the cord through the top of each ring, spacing the wreaths about 4 cm (1.5 in) apart. For a tidier look, tie a small knot on each side of every ring to hold it in place.
Recommended Product
5 cm (2 in) metal craft rings. They give every wreath a perfect circle with a sturdy hanging point, and the yarn covers them completely. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tips for a Beautiful Garland
- Pick a palette. Choose 3 or 4 colours (red, white, green and a touch of gold) and use them across every motif.
- Block the flat pieces. Steam or lightly spray the circles, flags and trees and let them dry flat for crisp, even shapes.
- Use matching spacing. Measure the gap between motifs with a ruler and pin them to the cord before sewing.
- Hang it safely. Use removable hooks, and keep garlands away from candles and heaters.
- Store carefully. Wind the garland loosely around a piece of cardboard and keep it in a bag so the motifs stay flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest crochet garland for beginners? The Circle Ornament Garland and the Pennant Bunting Garland only use single crochet and simple shapes.
How do I make my garland longer? Make more motifs, lengthen the cord and keep the same spacing. Each extra 10 cm (4 in) needs about one more motif.
Which yarn is best? Worsted cotton gives crisp shapes. Acrylic is soft, washable and cheaper.
Can I make the motifs bigger? Yes. For circles, add another increase round; for pennants, add 4 stitches to the foundation chain and 2 rows for each 4 stitches you add.
Final Thoughts
A crochet garland can be as simple as a string of pom-poms or as detailed as a line of tiny wreaths. Make one for the mantel, another for the tree and a short one for a gift. Happy crocheting, and Merry Christmas!
Pattern notes: These patterns are for personal use. If you sell finished items, please credit the pattern designer.
