A cozy handmade holiday craft that makes the perfect heartfelt gift
The last few months of the year always inspire me to start creating things by hand again. It feels rewarding and meaningful to give someone a gift that is unique and can’t be purchased in a store.
When I was in elementary school, crocheting was—oddly enough—something they taught in our library class. I probably hadn’t touched yarn since then, but in the past year or so, I decided to pick it up again. I enjoy crocheting because it’s something you can do while cozied up on the couch watching a show or movie.
I discovered this crochet Christmas tree project last year, and it was a big hit. I made two and even had family members asking for more. Remembering that, I figured this Christmas would be another great occasion to surprise them with one.
While the instructions are pretty simple, there is a lot of repetition. Essentially, you make a long piece using crochet stitches and then wrap and glue it around a cone shape. At the end, you can get creative by adding a star or decorating the tree with beads. I typically choose to leave the tree bare and only add the star.
For the hook size, you’ll want something on the smaller side. I used a 3 mm hook, but depending on your yarn, you could probably go down to a 2 mm. For yarn, choose a lightweight fiber in any green shade that fits your holiday vibe.
Materials
- Lightweight yarn in any shade of green
- 2–3 mm crochet hook
- Hot glue gun
- Paper, card stock, or styrofoam cone (4–6 inches tall)
- Yarn for star (color of choice)
Instructions
Crocheting the tree
- Begin by casting on with a slip knot. Chain 300 and turn your work.
- Single crochet through both loops of each of the 300 stitches, then turn your work.
- After completing your single crochets, chain 3 and then single crochet in the second stitch from the chain. Repeat this until the end (chain 3, skip a stitch, single crochet).
- Chain 1 and turn your work.
- In the first loop created by the previous step, work 7 double crochets. It will feel tight, but trust the process.
- In the next loop, work 1 single crochet.
- Repeat this pattern—7 double crochets in one loop, 1 single crochet in the next—until you reach the end.
- Tie off your work.
Attaching your crochet piece to the cone
There are a few options for the cone structure. In the past, I used thick cardstock and formed it into a cone shape, securing it with tape. It should be around 5 inches in height—you want the crocheted piece to fill out the space without looking overcrowded.
This year, I plan on getting some styrofoam cone forms to make the structure sturdier.
Here are two options I found on Amazon that might work well:
Paper Mache Cones, Various Sizes
FloraFōM Green, 2 Piece Cone
These are about 5.9 to 6 inches tall, so they might be slightly on the larger side. If they don’t work, you may need to look in-store for something shorter.
Heat up your glue gun and begin attaching the crochet piece at the bottom of the cone. It helps to dry-fit the piece first for spacing. Continue wrapping until you reach the top. It’s okay if a bit of the cone shows at the very top—the star will hide it.
Crocheting the star (You’ll need two)
- Start with the yarn color of your choice and a 3–4 mm hook.
- Create a magic ring.
- Chain 3 off the magic ring.
- Yarn over and place 14 double crochets into the magic ring (be sure to include the tail).
- Close the ring by pulling the tail tight.
- Slip stitch into both loops of the first double crochet (not the initial chain 3). You should now have a circle with 15 stitches.
- Chain 5.
- In the second chain from the hook, single crochet into the top loop only.
- In the next chain’s top loop, make a half double crochet.
- In the next chain’s top loop, make a double crochet.
- In the last chain’s top loop, make a triple crochet.
- This completes the first star point. Attach it to the center by slip stitching into both loops of the third double crochet from your starting point (skip two stitches).
- Repeat steps 7–12 four more times until you have 5 points.
- After the last slip stitch, cut your yarn and pull through to secure.
- Weave in your ends.
You’ll need to repeat this process to make two stars, one for the front and one for the back.
Attaching the star
You’ve reached the last step!
Use your hot glue gun to attach one star to the front and one to the back of the tree. I usually add small dots of glue on the star points and gently pinch the front and back stars together so the shape looks complete and polished.
I hope you enjoyed making this crochet Christmas tree! In the busy holiday season, it’s important to slow down and appreciate the small things in life. Creating handmade gifts—or even something just for yourself—can add so much warmth and meaning to the season.
– Natalie
