Father Christmas Crochet Pattern
Please note that this pattern is for personal use only.
If you’re new to crochet and these instructions don’t mean much to you, don’t worry! Everything is explained in Crochet Unravelled, where you will find more patterns and plenty of crochet advice!
See all our free crochet patterns.
Notes
This pattern uses standard UK terminology. In a nutshell: USA crocheters should substitute a single–crochet stitch where they read ‘double–crochet’ and a half–double–crochet stitch where they read ‘half–treble’. Conversion charts for UK/USA stitch terminology, yarn thicknesses and hook sizes are given on page 44 of the 2013 edition of Crochet Unravelled (page 35 in the 2005 edition).
The side facing you as you work is the ‘right side’ (i.e. the outside of the finished item).
Turning chains do not count as stitches unless specified.
Tension (or gauge) has not been specified since it is not particularly relevant to such a small item, but bear in mind that this item is stuffed, so working too loosely may cause the fibrefil to show through. Similarly, working too tightly may give a ‘tough’ looking appearance to the finished item.
Please keep this item away from babies and small children since it is not intended as a toy. Please also be aware of other health and safety issues, e.g. keep them away from candles, etc.
Finished length: 6″ (16 cm)
Instructions
Materials
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Double–knitting yarn in white, red and black;
- Twilley’s ‘Goldfingering’ for hanging loop. (This is a widely available 3 ply gold coloured thread);
- Fiberfil;
- Small lengths of yarn for embroidering features.
Stitch Guide
Decrease: insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull loop through stitch (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull loop through stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Half–treble decrease: Yarn over. Insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull loop through stitch (3 loops on hook). Insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull loop through stitch (4 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through all 4 loops.
The Figure
Foundation chain (start at bottom of body)
With red yarn chain 2.
Round 1
8 double–crochet in 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (8 stitches).
Round 2
Chain 1. 2 double–crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (16 stitches).
Round 3
Chain 1. (1 double–crochet in next stitch. 2 double–crochet in next stitch) 8 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (24 stitches)
Rounds 4–6
Chain 1. 1 double–crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet.
Round 7
Chain 1. (1 double–crochet in each of next 3 stitches. 2 double–crochet in next stitch) 6 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (Tip: change to black yarn with this joining slip–stitch) (30 stitches).
Round 8–9 (the belt)
With black yarn, chain 1. 1 double–crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (Tip: change to red yarn with the joining slip-stitch of the 9th round.)
Round 10
With red yarn, chain 1. (1 double-crochet in each of next 3 stitches. 1 decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (24 stitches)
Rounds 11–12
Chain 1. 1 double–crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet.
Round 13
Chain 1. (1 double–crochet in each of next 2 stitches. 1 decrease) 8 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (18 stitches)
Round 14
Chain 1. (1 double–crochet in next stitch. 1 decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (Tip: change to white yarn with this joining slip–stitch.) Fill body with fibrefil. (12 stitches)
Round 15 (the neck)
With white yarn, chain 1. (1 decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (6 stitches)
Round 16 (the head)
Chain 1. (2 double–crochet in next stitch. 1 double–crochet in next stitch) 3 times. (9 stitches)
Round 17
Chain 1. (2 double–crochet in each of next 2 stitches. 1 double–crochet in next stitch) 3 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (15 stitches)
Rounds 18–19
Chain 1. 1 double–crochet in each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet.
Round 20
Chain 1. (1 double-crochet in next stitch. 1 decrease) 5 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first double-crochet. Fill head with fibrefil. (10 stitches)
Round 21
Chain 1. (1 decrease) 5 times. Join with a slip–stitch to first decrease.
Cut yarn, weave tail through last five stitches, pull snugly and fasten off.
The Hat
Foundation chain (start at brim)
With white yarn chain 18. Join with a slip–stitch to last chain from hook to form ring.
Round 1
Chain 1. 1 double–crochet in each chain around. Join with a slip–stitch to first double–crochet. (18 stitches)
Round 2
Chain 1. 1 double–crochet in each stitch around. Join with a red yarn slip–stitch to first double–crochet. Cut white yarn leaving tail for sewing hat to head.
Round 3
Continue with red yarn. Chain 1. 1 half–treble in back loop of each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble.
Round 4
Chain 1. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 7 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 4 stitches. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble. (16 stitches)
Round 5
Chain 1. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 6 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble. (12 stitches)
Round 6
Chain 1. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 5 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 2 stitches. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble. (12 stitches)
Round 7
Chain 1. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 4 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in next stitch. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble. (10 stitches)
Round 8
Chain 1. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease. 1 half–treble in each of next 3 stitches. 1 half–treble decrease.
1 half–treble in each of next 2 stitches. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble. Fasten off (8 stitches) Note: the side facing you as you have been working is the inside of the hat. If you have not already done so, flip the hat inside out.
Round 9 (bobble of hat)
With white yarn join to any stitch of round 8 with a slip–stitch. (Do not darn beginning tail of white yarn yet.) Chain 1. 1 half–treble in the back loop of each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble.
Round 10
Chain 1. 1 half–treble in each stitch around. Join with a slip–stitch to first half–treble. Do not fasten off end tail.
Making up
To form bobble: weave beginning tail of white yarn tightly through rounds 8–9 and fasten off. Weave end tail of white yarn tightly around the top stitches, and fasten off. Flip first two rounds of hat up to form brim.