Turn a few basic crochet rounds into a cheerful little Christmas tree with a softly stuffed shape, embroidered lights, a separate trunk, and a five-point star that gives the finished decoration its classic holiday look.
Free Crochet Christmas Tree Pattern
A small Christmas tree like this can add a handmade touch without needing complicated crochet stitch patterns. The cone-shaped top grows gradually from a narrow starting point, while the wider base gives the finished tree a stable, rounded silhouette. Colorful embroidered details then bring the green surface to life without adding bulky crochet ornaments.
The construction is divided into manageable crochet pieces: the tree top, bottom base, trunk, and star are made separately and joined at the end.
The important part is keeping track of the changing stitch counts during the tree-top increases and paying attention to the assembly order. Embroidering the decorations before closing and stuffing the tree also gives you easier access to the surface and helps keep the finished shape neat.
Credit Lemon Crochet
Materials & Tools
- 100% acrylic yarn, 100 g / 300 m
- Green for the tree
- Brown for the trunk
- Yellow for the star
- Small amounts of red, yellow, pink, white, and light green for embroidery
- 2.5 mm crochet hook
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Darning needle
- Scissors
- Yarn marker
Pattern Abbreviations
- MR: magic ring
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
- sl st: slip stitch
- BLO: back loop only
- st / sts: stitch/stitches
How to Crochet the Christmas Tree
The tree is built from four crocheted components. The green tree top creates the tapered body, the second green piece closes the bottom, the brown trunk supports it, and the yellow star completes the top.
The tree top and base are worked in continuous rounds, so use a stitch marker to identify the beginning of each round.
Crochet the Tree Top
Work in Green yarn.
The first section gradually increases by two stitches per round. This controlled increase is what creates the widening tree shape.
Round 1: Make a MR, ch 1, work 6 sc into the ring, and pull the ring closed. (6 sts)
Round 2: Repeat (1 inc, 2 sc) twice around. (8 sts)
Round 3: Repeat (1 inc, 3 sc) twice around. (10 sts)
Round 4: Repeat (1 inc, 4 sc) twice around. (12 sts)
Round 5: Repeat (1 inc, 5 sc) twice around. (14 sts)
Round 6: Repeat (1 inc, 6 sc) twice around. (16 sts)
Round 7: Repeat (1 inc, 7 sc) twice around. (18 sts)
Round 8: Repeat (1 inc, 8 sc) twice around. (20 sts)
Round 9: Repeat (1 inc, 9 sc) twice around. (22 sts)
Round 10: Repeat (1 inc, 10 sc) twice around. (24 sts)
Round 11: Repeat (1 inc, 11 sc) twice around. (26 sts)
Round 12: Repeat (1 inc, 12 sc) twice around. (28 sts)
Round 13: Repeat (1 inc, 13 sc) twice around. (30 sts)
Round 14: Repeat (1 inc, 14 sc) twice around. (32 sts)
Finish: Sl st into the next stitch, ch 1, fasten off, and cut the yarn.
Shape Check
The tree top should become progressively wider as you move from Round 1 toward Round 14. Every round adds exactly 2 stitches, so the stitch count should move steadily from 6 to 32.
If the piece suddenly starts flaring or curling more than expected, check the increase placement before continuing. A missed increase can affect the symmetry of the entire cone.
Add the Tree Decorations Before Closing
Before the tree is stuffed and closed, add the colorful embroidery to the green surface.
Using small amounts of red, yellow, light pink, white, and light green yarn, thread a darning needle and work small V-shaped stitches and short dashes across the tree.
These stitches imitate tiny Christmas lights or ornaments.
Embroidery Tip
Spread the decorative stitches around the tree rather than concentrating them in one area. Since the tree widens toward the bottom, you can place slightly more decoration across the wider lower section while keeping the upper area lighter.
Working the embroidery now is much easier than trying to stitch through the stuffed tree later.
Crochet the Bottom Base
Work in Green yarn.
This circular piece closes the wider bottom opening of the tree.
Round 1: Make a MR, ch 1, work 8 sc into the ring, and pull tight. (8 sts)
Round 2: Work 1 inc in each stitch around. (16 sts)
Round 3: Repeat (1 inc, 1 sc) around. (24 sts)
Round 4: Repeat (1 inc, 2 sc) around. (32 sts)
Round 5: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (32 sts)
Finish: Sl st into the next stitch, ch 1, leave a long sewing tail, and cut the yarn.
Base Check
The first four rounds expand the circle from 8 to 32 stitches. Round 5 then stabilizes that diameter without adding more stitches.
This final straight round is important because it gives you a defined edge to sew against the bottom of the tree top.
Join and Stuff the Tree
Place the circular green base against the open bottom of the tree top.
Using the long sewing tail from the base, sew around the two edges together.
Do not close the entire opening immediately.
Stuffing Tip
Pause when most of the edge has been sewn and add fiberfill through the remaining opening. Work the stuffing gradually into the pointed top and wider lower section.
The tree should be firm enough to hold its shape, but avoid packing it so tightly that the crochet stitches stretch apart.
Once the tree has the desired fullness, finish sewing the opening closed and weave in the remaining yarn tail.
Crochet the Tree Trunk
Switch to Brown yarn.
The trunk is a short, narrow tube that will be attached beneath the green base.
Round 1: Make a MR, ch 1, work 8 sc into the ring, and pull tight. (8 sts)
Round 2: Work 1 sc in the BLO of each stitch around. (8 sts)
Rounds 3–4: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (8 sts per round)
Finish: Sl st into the next stitch, ch 1, leave a long sewing tail, and cut the yarn.
Lightly stuff the trunk with fiberfill.
Why the BLO Round Matters
Round 2 is worked through the back loops only, creating a subtle ridge that helps the tube turn upward from its starting circle. This is different from the ordinary sc rounds that follow, so make sure you are working into the back loop rather than both loops.
Attach the Trunk
Turn the green tree over so the flat bottom is facing you.
Center the brown trunk underneath the green base.
Using the long brown sewing tail, stitch around the top edge of the trunk and through the green base.
Placement Check
The trunk should sit in the center rather than close to one edge. Before making the final stitches, look at the tree from several angles to make sure it stands straight.
Secure the yarn and weave in the remaining tail.
Crochet the Yellow Star
Use Yellow yarn.
The star begins with a small five-stitch center, with each chain section creating one of the five points.
Round 1: Make a MR, ch 1, work 5 sc into the ring, pull tight, and sl st into the first sc. (5 sts)
Star Points: Repeat (ch 5, sl st into the next st) 5 times around to form 5 points.
Finish: Leave a long sewing tail, ch 1 to secure, and cut the yarn.
Star-Shaping Tip
After completing the five points, spread them gently with your fingers so they sit evenly around the center. If one point twists, straighten it before attaching the star to the tree.
Attach the Star
Place the yellow star directly over the pointed top of the green tree.
Using its long sewing tail and a darning needle, stitch the center of the star securely to the tree peak.
Final Placement Check
The bottom of the star should meet the tip of the tree rather than sitting noticeably to one side. Because the tree top is tapered, a slightly off-center attachment can be easy to notice once the decoration is standing upright.
Finishing & Reader Tips
Count the Increase Rounds
The tree top follows a very predictable progression:
6 → 8 → 10 → 12 → 14 → 16 → 18 → 20 → 22 → 24 → 26 → 28 → 30 → 32
If your count does not increase by exactly two stitches each round, stop and correct the previous round before continuing.
Embroider Before Stuffing
The colorful decorative stitches are easiest to control while the tree is still unstuffed. Once fiberfill is inside, reaching the inner surface with the needle becomes much more difficult.
Do Not Overstuff the Point
The upper part of the tree is narrow. Push small amounts of fiberfill toward the tip rather than forcing a large piece upward. This helps the point remain defined.
Keep the Base Flat
The bottom base should close the tree without pulling it into a puckered shape. If the sewing tension is too tight, the bottom can become uneven and make the finished tree wobble.
Check the Trunk Before Finishing
Since the trunk determines how the tree sits, center it carefully before completing the attachment. A few extra seconds of checking here can prevent a crooked finished tree.
Decoration Ideas
The embroidered details can be changed to suit your color scheme.
Try:
- Red and white for a traditional Christmas palette
- Gold and white for a softer look
- Pink, yellow, and white for a playful version
- Multiple bright colors for a cheerful children’s decoration
- One or two colors for a more minimal appearance
You can also vary the placement and size of the embroidered stitches while keeping the crochet construction unchanged.
