Skill level: Confident beginner
Terminology: US crochet terms
Finished size: Depends on your yarn, hook and number of background rounds. Make the square large enough to leave a clear border around the tree.
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What you need
DK or worsted-weight yarn in cream and green
Small amounts of brown, red and yellow yarn
A crochet hook suited to your yarn; use the yarn label as a starting point
Yarn needle
Scissors
Stitch markers
Blocking mat and pins, if available
Use yarns of a similar thickness so the pieces sit comfortably together.
Instructions
Christmas granny squares are lovely little projects to pick up between bigger makes. You can finish a few pieces at a time, use up your leftover Christmas colours and gradually build a collection for a cushion or festive throw.
For this design, the tree is made with granny clusters, giving it those familiar little openings and a softly textured surface. It is crocheted separately from the cream square, so you can arrange everything before sewing it down.
The red baubles and golden star are the finishing touches that give it its Christmas personality. Keep every square the same, or change the placement of the decorations for a whole collection of individual little trees.
Instructions
Abbreviations and Pattern Notes
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- st/sts: stitch/stitches
- sp: space
A granny cluster is 3 dc worked into the same space.
Beginning ch 3 counts as 1 dc. Other chains do not count as stitches unless stated.
The background and tree are worked separately in joined rounds. The tree is a granny triangle positioned with one corner pointing upwards.
1. Make the Cream Granny Square
With cream yarn, ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3, work 2 dc into the ring, ch 2. Work (3 dc, ch 2) into the ring three times. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Count: 4 clusters and 4 corner spaces.
Round 2: Sl st across the next 2 dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into that space, ch 1. Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next corner, ch 1 three times. Join.
Count: 8 clusters.
Round 3: Sl st across the next 2 dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into that corner, ch 1.
Work 3 dc into the next ch-1 side space, ch 1. Continue around, working (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into every corner and 3 dc into each side space, with ch 1 between groups. Join.
Count: 12 clusters.
Continue: Repeat the Round 3 arrangement, adding a cluster in every new side space.
Each round adds 4 clusters:
- Round 4: 16 clusters
- Round 5: 20 clusters
- Round 6: 24 clusters
After Round 6, place the working loop on a stitch marker. Make the tree before deciding whether the background needs more rounds.
2. Make the Green Granny Triangle
With green yarn, ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3, work 2 dc into the ring, ch 2. Work (3 dc, ch 2) into the ring twice. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
Count: 3 clusters and 3 corner spaces.
Round 2: Sl st across the next 2 dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into that corner, ch 1.
Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next corner, ch 1 twice. Join.
Count: 6 clusters.
Round 3: Sl st across the next 2 dc and into the corner space. Ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into that corner, ch 1.
Continue around, working 3 dc into each ch-1 side space and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into each corner. Work ch 1 between neighbouring groups. Join.
Count: 9 clusters.
Round 4: Repeat the Round 3 arrangement.
Count: 12 clusters.
Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.
Lay the triangle flat with one corner pointing upwards. The granny clusters create a textured tree silhouette with small openings between the groups.
3. Crochet the Trunk
With brown yarn, ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and each remaining ch. Turn. (3 sts)
Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each st. Turn after Rows 2 and 3. (3 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
The turning ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
4. Crochet the Golden Star
With yellow yarn, make a magic ring.
Work the following sequence into and away from the ring five times:
Ch 3, sl st in the second ch from the hook, sc in the next ch, then sl st into the magic ring.
This makes five small points.
Gently tighten the ring and arrange the points into a star. Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
5. Make the Red Baubles
Make five small baubles, or enough to decorate your tree.
With red yarn, make a magic ring. Ch 1 and work 4 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Tighten the ring and fasten off, leaving a sewing tail. Each piece should form a small, slightly cupped dot.
When attaching a bauble, take a few stitches around its edge and draw them in gently to encourage a rounded shape. No stuffing is needed.
6. Arrange the Pieces
Place the cream square flat with its sides horizontal and vertical.
Centre the green triangle on the square with one point facing upwards. Tuck the upper edge of the trunk beneath the middle of the tree’s bottom edge, then place the star above the tip.
Leave a visible cream margin around the complete motif. If it looks crowded, add another background round before sewing.
Fasten off the cream yarn and weave in the background ends.
7. Sew Everything Together
Attach the trunk first, then sew the tree in place with matching green yarn.
Use small stitches around the tree’s perimeter. Add a few discreet stitches beneath the interior clusters to keep the appliqué from lifting, while preserving the open spaces.
Sew on the star and scatter the red baubles across the green clusters. Attach the decorations to solid stitches rather than across the openings.
Weave in all remaining ends securely.
8. Block Your Square
Block according to the care instructions for your yarn.
Gently straighten the cream edges and arrange the tree and star. Allow the square to dry completely before joining it to other motifs. Avoid pressing the raised decorations flat.
Finishing Ideas
Alternate your Christmas tree squares with plain cream or red granny squares for a festive blanket. A small collection also makes a lovely cushion front or a simple Christmas wall hanging.
For a coordinated finish, use the same yarn, hook and number of background rounds for every square, then block them to matching measurements before joining.
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