Make a spooky yet charming crochet ghost for Halloween decor. Easy, fun, and perfect for hanging or gifting! Great for beginners.
A small handmade ghost is an easy way to give your Halloween decorations a playful touch. This adorable crochet ornament has a smooth shape, tiny stitched details, and a lightweight design that’s perfect for hanging or displaying around your home. The clever way it takes shape makes every crochet step worth seeing.
The body starts with a simple oval foundation, while the arms and ruffled edge are worked directly into the design for a neat finish with very little extra work. A pair of embroidered eyes brings the crochet ghost to life, and the final details turn it into a decoration that’s ready for garlands, shelves, ornaments, or thoughtful handmade gifts.
Credit Molina DIY
Materials
- Yarn: Milk Cotton Yarn (5-ply, 125g)
- White: To create the main body.
- Black: For embroidered eyes or garland string.
Tools
- Crochet Hook: 3.0 mm (Tulip 5/0–7/0).
- Scissors: Precision yarn scissors for clean cuts.
- Darning/Tapestry Needle: To weave in ends and embroider features.
Finished Size:
Approx. 3″–4″ in height.
Pattern Key Features
- Oval Foundation: Built by working along both sides of a foundation chain.
- Seamless Shaping: Increases along the top and bottom create the curved “ghostly” effect.
- Integrated Arms: Worked directly into the edging (no additional assembly).
- Flat Applique Design: Suitable for ornaments, garlands, or keychains.
Pattern Abbreviations
- Ch: Chain
- SC: Single Crochet
- HDC: Half Double Crochet
- DC: Double Crochet
- In.SC / In.HDC / In.C: Increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
- Sl St: Slip Stitch
- St / Sts: Stitch / Stitches
Helpful Tips Before You Start
- Use Even Stitch Tension
Maintain a consistent stitch tension throughout your work. This ensures the ghost’s shape stays smooth, balanced, and professional-looking. - Plan the Embroidered Eyes
When adding the embroidered eyes, position them before weaving in the ends. This allows you to easily adjust their placement for symmetry and alignment without dealing with already-secured threads. - Correct Curling Edges
If the edges of your piece curl slightly during crocheting, gently block the finished piece. Blocking helps flatten the edges and enhances the overall appearance.
Pattern Overview & Making Process
The pattern starts with a foundation chain that is worked around both sides to create an oval base. Half double crochet stitches build the body, while increases placed at each end shape the rounded ghost and create a smooth, even outline before joining the round.
After the body is finished, the next round forms the arms by adding short chain loops directly into the sides. The lower edge is then completed with simple chain and stitch combinations that create the ghost’s decorative ruffled skirt without making separate pieces.
To complete the ornament, two small eyes are embroidered onto the upper part using black yarn. An optional hanging string can be attached to join multiple ghosts into a garland or display each finished ornament on its own for Halloween decorating.
Step-by-Step Pattern
1. Foundation Chain & Oval Body
Foundation Chain:
- Make a slip knot, then chain (Ch) 12.
- Skip the first 2 chains, then work 2 Half Double Crochets (HDC) in the next chain.
- HDC across the remaining chains until the last chain.
- In the last chain, work 4 HDC to turn the corner and start working along the opposite side.
- Continue working along the opposite side of the foundation chain:
- HDC across, and in the final chain, work 2 HDC.
- Join with a Slip Stitch (Sl St) to the first stitch.
- Total stitches at the end of Round 1: 24 stitches.
Round 2:
- Chain 1, then:
- Increase HDC (In.HDC) in the first 2 stitches (2 HDC in each stitch).
- HDC across the next 8 stitches.
- Work In.HDC in each of the next 4 stitches (adding 2 HDC in each of these stitches to create the curve).
- HDC across the next 8 stitches.
- Work In.HDC in the last 2 stitches (2 HDC in each stitch).
- Join with a Slip Stitch (Sl St) to the first stitch.
- Total stitches at the end of Round 2: 32 stitches.
2. Skirt & Arms
Round 3 (Body & Arms):
- This round helps shape the body and creates integrated arms by working chains and stitches at the appropriate intervals.
- Example pattern for arm extensions:
- At the designated side stitches, make a chain of desired length (e.g., Ch 6).
- Skip 1 or 2 stitches, then Sl St back into the next stitch of the base to anchor the chain and form a loop (for the arm).
- Repeat this for the other side.
Ruffle Details on Skirt:
To add decorative ruffles to the base of the ghost:
- Use a new round after completing the body’s main shape.
- Work chains and slip stitches into every stitch or at designated intervals around the base.
- Try combinations like:
- (Ch 3, Sl St into the next stitch)
- Or (Ch 2, 2 HDC into the same stitch) for a textured look.
3. Adding Features
Eyes:
- Use black yarn (or embroidery thread).
- Thread it through a darning needle.
- Stitch two small oval-shaped eyes onto the upper curved area near the top of the ghost’s body.
Garland String (Optional):
- If you’d like to create a decorative garland:
- Use black yarn to attach multiple finished ghosts along a single string.
- Ensure spacing is even between each ghost to create a neat appearance.
Finishing Touches
- Weave in Ends: Securely weave in loose yarn ends for a tidy finish.
- Shape the Ghost: Adjust the body, arms, and edges to sit evenly.
- Add Hanging Loop (Optional): Attach a loop or string securely for hanging or garland use.
- Display: Enjoy your finished ghost as part of your decor!
Tips & Suggestions
- For Curling Edges: Block by pressing lightly under a flat book overnight or with gentle steaming.
- Color Variations: Experiment with colors like pastel blue, mint green, or glow-in-the-dark yarn for playful variations.
- Creative Ideas: Use the applique ghosts for bunting, garland, ornaments, or Halloween keychains.
Action Step
Grab your materials, follow the pattern, and enjoy crocheting this fun ghost ornament for your Halloween celebrations!
