The Santa Claus Crochet Ornament is part of an ongoing series of delightful Christmas ornaments great for decorating your tree, adorning your home, decorating packages, and sharing as a heartfelt, handmade gift.
He is a beginner-friendly project featuring a round jolly face and bobble nose. His iconic white beard is created with chained looped strands of varying lengths. And of course, he has an iconic red hat trimmed in white.
Read on to learn more about the inspiration and yarn choice for the Santa Claus Crochet Ornament or scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.
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The Inspiration
The ongoing Crochet Christmas Ornament Collection is something that I’ve had on my mind and in the works for some time now. Embarrassingly, some of the designs have been finished and sitting in my studio for quite some time. I decided that this is the year to begin getting the posts and patterns written and sharing them!
The Santa Claus Crochet Ornament is part of the classic portion of the collection because what is Christmas without Santa Claus (at least in the US and some parts of the world)?
Because the list I want to create is long, this Christmas ornament series will be ongoing year after year as I continue to add fun, original, and classic designs to the collection. If you have an ornament design that you’d like to see let me know in the comments.
Make, Collect, and Share Them All!
- Mrs. Claus Ornament
- Reindeer Ornament – free version coming soon, but you can snag the PDF bundle of all 5 in my shops now!
- Elf Ornament
- Snowman Ornament – free version coming soon, but you can snag the PDF bundle of all 5 in my shops now!
These Patterns May Also Be of Interest!
The Yarn
The Santa Claus Crochet Ornament was made using Brava Worsted Yarn that can be found online from either WeCrochet or Knit Picks. It is a worsted, acrylic yarn that comes in a wide range of colors with variations including striped, tweeds, speckles, and recycled, and is available in sizes bulky, worsted, and sport.
Learn even more of the specifics about this yarn in my Brava Yarn Review found HERE.
In Brava Worsted, I used the colors Red, White, and Cream. Brava Sport would also work well to create a slightly smaller ornament. You could even go for a mini ornament by using crochet thread. Curio thread, also from WeCrochet and Knit Picks, is a great option.
Substitutions
Any brand of worsted weight acrylic (or cotton) yarn should work well for making the Santa Claus Crochet Ornament but note that due to variations among brands, the finished size may vary slightly. Also note, if mixing yarn brands, that it’s important to ensure that the thickness of the yarns are the same to ensure consistency in stitching.
You can see the miniature version of the Crochet Santa Claus Ornament in some of the images. He was made using the same pattern, a 1.50 mm hook, and size 10 cotton crochet thread.
As always, I’d love to see/hear about your experiences with making the design and the products you chose to use. Tag me on social media @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to share!
The Pattern
Difficulty
Beginner
Materials
- Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) (I use Clover Amour hooks)
- Stitch Marker(s)
- Scissors
- Stuffing
- Pins
- Tapestry Needle
- Safety eyes, 8 mm
- Dritz Disc Needle Pullers (optional)
- Something to color cheeks (blush, crayon, pastels, etc.) (optional)
- Ornament Hanger (ribbon, baker’s twine, yarn, metal, etc.) (optional)
- Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
- Brava (worsted 4-Medium, 100% Premium Acrylic, 218 yds/199 m, 3.5 oz/100 g), Color (A) Cream, used approx. 30 yds/27 m, Color (B) White, used approx. 24 yds/22 m, Color (C) Red, used approx. 30 yds/27 m
Gauge
- Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 6 Rnds of the head measure approx. 2 inches (5.1 cm) in diameter.
- Using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread the first 6 Rnds of the head measure approx. 13/16 inch (2.06 cm) in diameter.
Finished Measurements
- Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn the Santa Claus Crochet Ornament measures approx. 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) tall from the top of the hat (bent to the side) to the bottom of the beard.
- Using hook size 1.50 mm and size 10 crochet thread the Santa Claus Crochet Ornament measures approx. 2 inches (5.1 cm) tall from the top of the hat (bent to the side) to the bottom of the beard. The same pattern is used with a minor change: use 4mm safety eyes.
Design Notes
- The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology.
- The pattern is written primarily in continuous rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round. When working in Rows it will be noted in the pattern.
- At the end of each round/row, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
- Further design notes, tips, and options will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
- Color changes in the pattern should be made during the last step of the stitch prior to the noted color change throughout the pattern.
- The yarn under method was used when designing this piece, the yarn over method can also be used and will potentially create a slightly larger character.
- Caution! If using safety eyes, take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouths as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand-embroidered eyes are a great alternative!
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
- approx. – approximately
- BLO – work in the back loops only
- bo – bobble (5dcbo – described below under special stitches)
- ch – chain
- FLO – work in the front loop only
- invisible finish
- MR – magic ring (AKA magic circle, adjustable ring)
- rep – repeat
- Rnd(s) – round(s)
- Row(s) – row(s)
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- [ ] / ( ) – work instructions between brackets/parenthesis as many times as directed
Special Stitches
Bobble (bo): A 5dcbo (five double crochet bobble) is used in this pattern.
To create a 5dcbo
With the working loop on the hook:
- Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (one leg made, two loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (four loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (two legs made, three loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (five loops on the hook)
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (three legs made, four loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (six loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (four legs made, five loops on the hook),
- Yarn over, insert hook into the same stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (seven loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two loops (five legs made, six loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through all six loops. (5dcbo completed)
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Let’s Make Our Santa Claus Crochet Ornament!
Head
>Design Note: The head is made from the bottom up.
Using Color (A) -Cream (skin tone)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in MR. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next st. (24sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (30sts)
- Rnd 6: Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next 2sts. (36sts)
- Rnd 7: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (42sts)
- Rnds 8-9: Sc in each st around. (42sts for 2 Rnds)
>Design Note: In the next 2 Rnds, some of the sts will be worked in the BLO, creating the front loops to be used later when making the beard.
- Rnd 10: Sc in the next 12sts, BLO: sc in the next 17sts, in both loops: sc in the next 13sts. (42sts)
- Rnd 11: Sc in the next 16sts, BLO: sc in the next 4sts, bo in the next st, sc in the next 4sts, in both loops: sc in the next 17sts. (42sts)
- Rnds 12-14: Sc in each st around. (42sts for 3 Rnds)
- Rnd 15: [Sc in the next 5sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (36sts)
Insert the safety eyes. The suggested placement is between Rnds 13 and 14, centered over the nose, approx. 7sts apart.
- Rnd 16: Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, [sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 5 times, sc in the next 2sts. (30sts)
- Rnd 17: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)
Firmly stuff and shape the head and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnd 18: Sc in the next st, sc2tog, [sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 5 times, sc in the next st. (18sts)
- Rnd 19: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 20: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
- Fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure, and weave in the end.
Beard
Bottom Row of the Beard
Using Color (B) – White
The bottom row of the beard is worked into the 17 unused front loops from Rnd 10 of the head, starting on the right side with the face towards you. (>Design Note: Below, each st is marked with a bullet point to help with the ease of reading the Row.)
- Row 1: Sl st into the first st, ch 11, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 13, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 15, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 17, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 19, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 21, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 23, sl st back into the same st,
- [sl st into the next st, ch 25, sl st back into the same st] 3 times,
- sl st into the next st, ch 23, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 21, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 19, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 17, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 15, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 13, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 11, sl st back into the same st,
- Fasten off and weave in the ends. (17 loops ascending and descending in size)
Top Row of the Beard
Using Color (B) – White
The top row of the beard is worked into the 9 unused front loops from Rnd 11 of the head, starting on the right side with the face towards you. (>Design Note: Below, each st is marked with a bullet point to help with the ease of reading the Row.)
>Design Tip: Two sts (with ch 21) might hide under the nose a bit so watch out for this.
- Row 1: Sl st into the first st, ch 15, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 17, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 19, sl st back into the same st,
- [sl st into the next st, ch 21, sl st back into the same st] 3 times,
- sl st into the next st, ch 19, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 17, sl st back into the same st,
- sl st into the next st, ch 15, sl st back into the same st,
- Fasten off and weave in the ends. (9 loops ascending and descending in size)
Hat
>Design Note: The hat is made as one piece from the pom pom to the brim.
Pom Pom
Using Color (B) – White
- Rnd 1: 5sc in MR. (5sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 5sc in 2nd chain from hook. (5sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (10sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 2 times. (10sts)
Firmly stuff and shape the pom pom and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnd 6: [Sc2tog] 5 times. (5sts)
Main Hat
Switch to Color (C) – Red
>Design Note: The main hat is not stuffed.
- Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (5sts)
- Rnd 8: 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 4sts. (6sts)
- Rnd 9: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (8sts)
- Rnds 10-11: Sc in each st around. (8sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 12: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (10sts)
- Rnd 13: Sc in each st around. (10sts)
- Rnd 14: [Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 15: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 16: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times. (15sts)
- Rnd 17: Sc in each st around. (15sts)
- Rnd 18: Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times, sc in the next 2sts. (18sts)
- Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (18sts)
- Rnd 20: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times. (21sts)
- Rnd 21: Sc in each st around. (21sts)
- Rnd 22: Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 6sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times, sc in the next 3sts. (24sts)
- Rnd 23: Sc in each st around. (24sts)
- Rnd 24: [Sc in the next 5sts, 2sc in next st] 4 times. (28sts)
- Rnd 25: Sc in each st around. (28sts)
- Rnd 26: Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 6sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times, sc in the next 3sts. (32sts)
- Rnd 27: Sc in each st around. (32sts)
- Rnd 28: [Sc in the next 7sts, 2sc in next st] 4 times. (36sts)
- Rnd 29: Sc in each st around. (36sts)
- Rnd 30: Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 8sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times, sc in the next 4sts. (40sts)
- Rnd 31: Sc in each st around. (40sts)
- Rnd 32: [Sc in the next 9sts, 2sc in next st] 4 times. (44sts)
Brim
Switch to Color (B) – White
- Rnd 33: Sc in the next 43sts, 2sc in next st. (45sts)
- Rnds 34-35: Sc in each st around. (45sts for 2 Rnds)
- Fasten off using the invisible finish, leaving a long tail for stitching the hat to the head. Weave the tail up to the center of the brim, to between Rnds 33 and 34, for later stitching during assembly.
Assembly
Position all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire Santa Claus Crochet Ornament and stitch securely in place.
General placement and stitching suggestions:
- Hat: Place the hat on the head so the front bottom brim of the hat rests approx. one Rnd above the eyes and the back bottom brim rests at approx. Rnd 1 of the head. Using the yarn tail tack the hat in several places along the center of the brim to secure.
- Tacking the Hat: (Optional) – The hat can remain straight, or fold the tip to either side of the head. Use a length of Color (C) – Red and a tapestry needle to tack the hat so it rests against itself. Pictured, it has been tacked with a few stitches at about 3 Rnds down from the pom to about 3 Rnds up from the brim.
- Rosy Cheeks: If desired, use a bit of blush, crayon, paint, chalk pastel, etc. to add rosy cheeks. Pictured, a medium pink crayon was used with the color added in the space just above the bottom beard and to the sides of the top beard piece (see images). >Design Tip: It’s easier to add more color than to take it away, so start light and build it up. The color can also be tested at the top of the head where the hat will cover once it’s stitched on.
Add a Hanger
A variety of materials can be used to hang the Santa Claus Crochet Ornament. Some suggestions include a length of ribbon, yarn, baker’s twine, metal, etc.
Pictured, 1/8 inch (3 mm) ribbon was used. It was cut at 10 inches (25 cm) and using a tapestry needle was threaded through the hat at the front of the piece at approx. 7-8 Rnds up from the brim for the width of about 3sts. The ends were then held together and knotted, and the knot was turned until it hid inside the hat. >Design Tip: If the knot does not want to hide all the way, use the wider end of the tapestry needle to push it in, being careful not to poke yourself.
Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!
As always, I’d love to see your creation if you’re willing to share! Comment below or tag me on social media. You can find me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram (tag @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to show off your work and have a chance to be featured), and stay tuned to find me in the future on YouTube!
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Copyright and Use Policy
This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!
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