A crochet gingerbread man is a cheerful little Christmas make that you can finish in an evening. He is worked flat in simple rows of double crochet, with white chain-stitch icing and embroidered buttons, so he looks just like the biscuits cooling on the kitchen side.
At a glance: Yarn and hook: DK yarn and a 3.5mm or 4mm (UK 9 or UK 8) hook (US E-4 or G-6). Time: about 1 hour per flat figure. Terms: UK, with US conversions.
This is our own crochet gingerbread man pattern in UK terms, with exact row-by-row stitch counts for the legs, body, arms and head. You can make him as a single-layer appliqué, or as two layers sewn together for a sturdier tree ornament.
We also include a small 3D amigurumi version, plus ideas for garlands, gingerbread houses and gifts.
Gingerbread man crochet pattern at a glance
| Skill level | Easy, ideal for confident beginners |
|---|---|
| Finished size | About 10 to 11cm tall and 6 to 7cm across the arms |
| Yarn | About 8 to 10g brown DK per flat figure, plus scraps of white, red and black |
| Hook | 3.5mm or 4mm (UK 9 or UK 8, US E-4 or G-6) |
| Time | About 1 hour per flat figure |
| Terms | UK crochet terms with US conversions |
| Price | Free pattern |
How to crochet a gingerbread man in 6 steps
- Crochet the two legs in rows of double crochet.
- Join the legs and work up through the body.
- Increase out for the arms, then decrease for the shoulders and neck.
- Shape the round head with increases and decreases.
- Work an edging round all the way around and add a hanging loop.
- Embroider the icing, eyes and buttons in white, black and red.
Every row has a stitch count in the full gingerbread man crochet pattern below, so you can check your work as you go.
Why make a crochet gingerbread man?
Gingerbread figures are one of the most recognisable festive shapes. A round head, short arms sticking out and two stubby legs are all it takes, and that simple outline is perfect for crochet.
- He uses only a few grams of yarn, so he is ideal for leftovers.
- The shaping uses just three techniques: increasing, decreasing and working straight rows.
- The icing and buttons are embroidered, so you can give each one his own personality.
- A flat crochet gingerbread man is light enough for the smallest branches of the tree.
Materials for your crochet gingerbread man
- DK yarn in a warm brown or tan, about 8 to 10g for one flat figure (double for the two-layer version).
- A little white DK yarn for the icing.
- Scraps of red, green or other bright DK for buttons and a bow.
- Black or dark brown yarn or embroidery thread for the eyes.
- A 3.5mm or 4mm (UK 9 or UK 8) crochet hook. A slightly smaller hook gives a firmer fabric.
- A blunt tapestry needle.
- A small amount of toy stuffing for the two-layer and amigurumi versions.
If you are choosing between hook sizes, the Craft Yarn Council hook size chart shows how metric, UK and US sizes compare. Our guide to crochet hooks has more help with choosing one.
Abbreviations and UK to US terms
This crochet gingerbread man pattern uses UK terms. Here is a quick conversion table for anyone used to US patterns.
| UK term | US term | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Chain | Chain | ch |
| Slip stitch | Slip stitch | ss |
| Double crochet | Single crochet | dc |
| Double crochet two together | Single crochet two together | dc2tog |
| Stitch(es) | Stitch(es) | st(s) |
| Space | Space | sp |
The ch 1 at the start of each row is a turning chain and does not count as a stitch. To work a dc2tog, insert the hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop, insert into the following stitch and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
For a full explanation of the differences, see our UK vs US crochet terms guide.
Crochet gingerbread man pattern: the flat figure
The figure is worked from the feet up in one piece. You make two legs, join them, work up through the body and arms, narrow for the neck, then shape the head. Your finished crochet gingerbread man is about 10 to 11cm tall and 6 to 7cm across the arms in DK yarn.
Legs
First leg: using brown yarn, ch 4.
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch. (3 sts)
Rows 2 to 4: ch 1, turn, dc in each st. (3 sts)
Fasten off and set aside.
Second leg: work Rows 1 to 4 as for the first leg, but do not fasten off.
Joining the legs and body
Row 5: ch 1, turn, dc in each of the 3 sts of the second leg, ch 1, then pick up the first leg (with its last row facing the same way) and dc in each of its 3 sts. (6 dc and 1 ch-sp)
Row 6: ch 1, turn, dc in next 3 sts, dc in the ch-1 sp, dc in next 3 sts. (7 sts)
Rows 7 to 10: ch 1, turn, dc in each st. (7 sts)
Arms
The arms of your crochet gingerbread man grow out of the body by increasing at both ends of the row, which gives them a gently sloping underside.
Row 11: ch 1, turn, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in last st. (9 sts)
Row 12: ch 1, turn, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in last st. (11 sts)
Row 13: ch 1, turn, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in last st. (13 sts)
Rows 14 and 15: ch 1, turn, dc in each st. (13 sts)
Shoulders and neck
Row 16: ch 1, turn, ss in first 3 sts, dc in next 7 sts, leave the last 3 sts unworked. (7 dc)
Row 17: ch 1, turn, dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog. (5 sts)
Work Row 17 over the 7 dc only, not the slip stitches.
Head
Row 18: ch 1, turn, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in last st. (7 sts)
Row 19: ch 1, turn, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in last st. (9 sts)
Rows 20 to 22: ch 1, turn, dc in each st. (9 sts)
Row 23: ch 1, turn, dc2tog, dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog. (7 sts)
Row 24: ch 1, turn, dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog. (5 sts)
Do not fasten off.
Stitch count summary
Use this table to check your crochet gingerbread man as you go.
| Rows | Section | Stitches at end of row |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Each leg | 3 |
| 5 | Join legs | 6 dc and 1 ch-sp |
| 6 to 10 | Body | 7 |
| 11, 12, 13 | Arm increases | 9, 11, 13 |
| 14 and 15 | Arms straight | 13 |
| 16 | Shoulders | 7 dc (3 ss each side) |
| 17 | Neck | 5 |
| 18 and 19 | Head increases | 7, 9 |
| 20 to 22 | Head straight | 9 |
| 23 and 24 | Top of head | 7, 5 |
Edging and hanging loop
Edging round: ch 1, then work dc evenly all the way around the outside of the figure. Work 1 dc into each stitch along the top of the head and the bottom of the feet, and 1 dc into the end of each row along the sides. Work 3 dc into each outer corner, such as the corners of the feet and hands, to keep the edge flat. Ss to the first dc.
Along the sides of the neck and the gap between the legs, you can skip a row end here and there if the edge starts to ripple. The aim is a smooth outline that lies flat.
Hanging loop: move to the centre top of the head with ss if needed, then ch 12 and ss into the same stitch to make a loop. Fasten off and weave in the ends. Your flat crochet gingerbread man is now ready to decorate.
Two-layer crochet gingerbread man
For a thicker, sturdier ornament, make two flat figures, working Rows 1 to 24 for each. Work the edging round on only one of them for now.
- Embroider the face, icing and buttons on the front piece first (see below), as it is much easier before the layers are joined.
- Place the two pieces wrong sides together, with the embroidered piece at the front.
- Work the edging round through both layers at once, using the stitch guide above.
- Before you close the last few centimetres, push in a very small amount of stuffing with the end of a pencil if you want a puffy look.
- Finish the edging, then make the hanging loop as before.
The two-layer crochet gingerbread man holds his shape better on the tree and looks neat from both sides.
Icing, face and buttons
The embroidery is what turns a brown shape into a proper crochet gingerbread man. Use white yarn for the icing and a tapestry needle.
Chain-stitch icing
Embroidered chain stitch looks just like piped icing. Bring the needle up from the back, then take it down again right next to where it came up, leaving a small loop on the front. Bring the needle up again a few millimetres along, inside that loop, and pull gently to hold it in place. Repeat to form a line of linked loops.
- Work a zigzag or wavy line across each wrist and each ankle.
- Work a smile across the lower part of the face.
- For a neater line, you can also work surface slip stitch with a crochet hook, holding the yarn behind the work.
Eyes and buttons
Work two French knots in black or dark brown for the eyes, a little above the middle of the head. For the buttons, work three small French knots or small satin-stitch circles down the centre of the body in red, green or white.
On every crochet gingerbread man we embroider the buttons and eyes rather than using real buttons, beads or safety eyes. Small parts can come loose and are a choking hazard, so embroidery is the safe choice for any decoration that small children might reach.
A bow tie
For a bow tie, wrap a short length of red or green yarn around the neck at Row 17 a few times, then pinch the middle and wrap it tightly with a few stitches. Sew it securely in place at the back.
3D amigurumi mini crochet gingerbread man
This little version stands about 7 to 8cm tall and is worked in continuous rounds without joining. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round. If you are new to the technique, our magic ring tutorial and crochet animals guide are good places to start.
Head and body (one piece)
Round 1: using brown yarn, make a magic ring, 6 dc into the ring, pull closed. (6 sts)
Round 2: 2 dc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * 5 more times. (18 sts)
Rounds 4 to 6: dc in each st around. (18 sts)
Round 7: *dc in next st, dc2tog; repeat from * 5 more times. (12 sts)
Embroider the eyes and smile now, then stuff the head firmly.
Round 8: dc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 9: *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * 5 more times. (18 sts)
Rounds 10 to 13: dc in each st around. (18 sts)
Round 14: *dc in next st, dc2tog; repeat from * 5 more times. (12 sts)
Stuff the body firmly.
Round 15: dc2tog 6 times. (6 sts)
Fasten off, thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 sts and pull tight to close.
Arms (make 2)
Round 1: make a magic ring, 5 dc into the ring, pull closed. (5 sts)
Rounds 2 to 4: dc in each st around. (5 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the open end and sew to the sides of the body just below the neck.
Legs (make 2)
Round 1: make a magic ring, 6 dc into the ring, pull closed. (6 sts)
Rounds 2 to 5: dc in each st around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a tail. Stuff lightly and sew to the base of the body so he can sit or stand.
Add chain-stitch icing at the wrists and ankles and embroider three buttons down the front, just as for the flat crochet gingerbread man. Keep the stuffing firm so the stitches do not gap.
Gingerbread garland and house ideas
Once you have made one crochet gingerbread man, it is hard to stop. Here are some ways to put a little family of them to work.
Gingerbread garland
Make five or more flat figures using the crochet gingerbread man pattern above, leaving off the hanging loops. Crochet a long chain in white or red yarn, then sew the hands of each figure to the chain so they look as if they are holding hands. Add a small loop of chains at each end for hanging over a mantelpiece or along a shelf.
Want more motifs on the same string? Mix gingerbread men with the stars, baubles and holly leaves from our crochet Christmas garland pattern.
A simple gingerbread house
For a flat gingerbread house to hang next to your figures, use the same brown yarn.
- Walls: ch 13, dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (12 sts). Work 11 more rows of 12 dc, turning with ch 1 each time, so you have a square of 12 rows.
- Roof: continue straight on from the walls. Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, dc in next 8 sts, dc2tog (10 sts). Repeat this decrease row, working 2 fewer dc in the middle each time, to get 8, 6, 4 and then 2 sts. Fasten off.
- Details: embroider a door and windows in white chain stitch, and run a wavy line of icing along the edges of the roof.
Advent and gift ideas
A flat crochet gingerbread man is small enough to tuck into an advent pocket. Our crochet advent calendar has plenty of space for a few of them. They also make lovely gift tags; simply embroider an initial on the body in place of the buttons.
For more festive makes, see our Christmas crochet ideas and our round-up of easy crochet Christmas decorations. A red crochet poinsettia looks great hanging alongside him too.
Using your crochet gingerbread man as an appliqué
The single-layer crochet gingerbread man is flat, so it makes a lovely appliqué for Christmas makes. Pin him in place and sew all the way around the edging with brown yarn and small whip stitches, catching only the top layer of the fabric underneath.
- Christmas stocking: sew one onto the cuff of a crochet Christmas stocking for a personalised gift.
- Jumper or cardigan: add a gingerbread man to a child’s knit for a festive jumper day.
- Cushion or tote bag: make a row of three in slightly different colours of brown.
- Gift cards and tags: glue a small one onto a folded card for a handmade Christmas card.
For appliqué that will be washed, use cotton or acrylic yarn, embroider the face instead of using buttons, and wash gently at 30°C inside a pillowcase.
Gingerbread girl variation
Make a gingerbread girl from the same pattern: embroider a skirt outline in white chain stitch across the hips, add a tiny red bow on top of the head, and stitch two white dots for buttons instead of three.
Tips for a neat finish
These small habits help every crochet gingerbread man look tidy and even.
- Count every row. The shaping rows change by 2 sts at a time, so a quick count at the end of each row keeps the figure symmetrical.
- Keep the turning chain loose. A tight ch 1 can pull the side edges in.
- Block lightly. Pin the flat figure to a towel, mist with water and leave to dry. This straightens the arms and legs.
- Use a contrast for icing. Pure white shows up best against brown. Cream works well for a softer look.
- Weave ends into matching colours. Hide white tails behind the icing and brown tails inside the brown fabric.
Frequently asked questions about crochet gingerbread man
How big is the flat crochet gingerbread man?
In DK yarn with a 3.5mm or 4mm hook, he is about 10 to 11cm tall and 6 to 7cm across the arms. Your tension may make him a little bigger or smaller.
Is this crochet gingerbread man pattern suitable for beginners?
Yes. It uses only chains, double crochet, simple increases and dc2tog decreases, worked in rows. If you can count your stitches at the end of each row, you can make him.
Can I use real buttons for the eyes and buttons?
For decorations that children might handle, we recommend embroidery only. Real buttons, beads and safety eyes can come loose and are a choking risk for small children.
How do I stop the edges looking uneven?
The edging round tidies everything up. Work 3 dc into each corner and skip a row end where the edge starts to ripple. Light blocking afterwards helps the shape settle.
Can I make a bigger crochet gingerbread man?
The easiest way is to use a thicker yarn, such as aran or chunky, with a larger hook. The stitch counts stay the same and the figure grows in proportion.
Is this free gingerbread man crochet pattern in UK or US terms?
It is written in UK crochet terms with US conversions in the abbreviations section. In US terms, every dc is a single crochet (sc).
Can I use this crochet gingerbread man as an appliqué?
Yes. Make the single-layer version, then sew it onto a stocking, jumper, cushion or card with small whip stitches around the edging.
