This little crochet Christmas tree stands on its own, so it is perfect for a mantelpiece, a windowsill or a desk at work. It is worked from the tip down in one continuous spiral of double crochet, closed at the base, then finished with a star and a few baubles. The pattern is written in UK crochet terms and uses only double crochet, increases and decreases.
Make one in classic green, or a set of three sizes in green, cream and sage for a modern Scandi look.
What you will make
- A standing cone tree about 8cm tall and 5cm wide at the base with DK yarn, plus a tiny star and an optional trunk.
- Time: about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Materials
- Yarn: DK yarn in green (about 20m), plus scraps of yellow for the star and brown for the trunk.
- Hook: 3.5mm (UK 9 / US E-4). A slightly smaller hook than usual keeps the fabric firm so the stuffing does not show.
- Toy stuffing.
- Stitch marker, tapestry needle and scissors.
- To decorate: small beads, buttons, mini pompoms or scraps of red, white and gold yarn.
Tension: not critical, but work tightly.
Abbreviations (UK terms)
- ch: chain
- ss: slip stitch
- dc: double crochet (US single crochet)
- inc: 2 dc in the same st
- dc2tog: double crochet 2 sts together (decrease)
- BLO: back loop only
- st(s): stitch(es)
Working in a spiral
The tree is worked in a continuous spiral: do not join with a slip stitch or make a chain at the end of each round. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go, so you always know where the round starts.
Instructions
The tree
With green, make a magic ring (see our magic ring tutorial).
Round 1: 6 dc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 sts)
Round 2: (1 dc, inc) 3 times. (9 sts)
Round 3: 1 dc in each st. (9 sts)
Round 4: (2 dc, inc) 3 times. (12 sts)
Round 5: 1 dc in each st. (12 sts)
Round 6: (3 dc, inc) 3 times. (15 sts)
Round 7: 1 dc in each st. (15 sts)
Round 8: (4 dc, inc) 3 times. (18 sts)
Round 9: 1 dc in each st. (18 sts)
Round 10: (5 dc, inc) 3 times. (21 sts)
Round 11: 1 dc in each st. (21 sts)
Round 12: (6 dc, inc) 3 times. (24 sts)
Round 13: 1 dc in each st. (24 sts)
Round 14: (7 dc, inc) 3 times. (27 sts)
Round 15: 1 dc in each st. (27 sts)
Round 16: (8 dc, inc) 3 times. (30 sts)
Round 17: 1 dc in each st. (30 sts)
Round 18: 1 dc BLO in each st. (30 sts) This makes a neat ridge so the base sits flat.
Closing the base
Round 19: (3 dc, dc2tog) 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 20: (2 dc, dc2tog) 6 times. (18 sts)
Stuff the tree firmly, pushing the stuffing right up into the tip with the end of your hook.
Round 21: (1 dc, dc2tog) 6 times. (12 sts)
Round 22: dc2tog 6 times. (6 sts)
Add a little more stuffing if needed. Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail. Thread it through the front loop of each of the last 6 sts, pull tight to close the hole and weave in the end.
The star
With yellow, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 5 dc into the ring. Pull closed and join with a ss to the first dc. (5 sts)
Round 2: *3 ch, ss in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, ss in next st of Round 1*. Repeat from * to * four more times. (5 points)
Fasten off, leaving a tail, and sew the star to the tip of the tree.
The trunk (optional)
With brown, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6 dc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: 2 dc in each st. (12 sts)
Round 3: 1 dc BLO in each st. (12 sts)
Rounds 4 and 5: 1 dc in each st. (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail. Stuff lightly and sew the open end to the centre of the tree’s base. Skip the trunk if you want the tree to stand directly on a shelf.
Decorating your tree
- Baubles: sew on small beads or buttons, or make French knots with red, white or gold yarn.
- Garland: make a chain about 40cm long in red or gold and wind it around the tree in a spiral, sewing it down every few centimetres.
- Snowy tips: with white yarn, work a round of surface slip stitches around the tree at a few different heights.
- Mini pompoms: glue or sew on tiny pompoms in bright colours for a playful look.
Make a set in three sizes
- Small tree: work Rounds 1 to 13, then 1 round of BLO dc (24 sts). Close with (2 dc, dc2tog) 6 times, (1 dc, dc2tog) 6 times and dc2tog 6 times.
- Medium tree: the pattern as written.
- Large tree: use aran yarn and a 4.5mm hook with the pattern as written for a tree about 11cm tall.
More Christmas makes
Pair your tree with our crochet Christmas tree ornaments and easy crochet Christmas decorations for a full handmade set.
