Spruce Christmas Tree Knitting Pattern with Crochet Branches

This Christmas tree combines simple knitting with a strip of crocheted shells to create its layered evergreen branches. The knitted pieces are worked flat, making this an approachable project for crafters who prefer straight needles.

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What you need

Approximately 100 g dark green DK / 8-ply yarn

Approximately 20 g brown DK / 8-ply yarn

2.5 mm knitting needles

Crochet hook suitable for achieving the branch tension below

Polyester toy stuffing

Firm foam for the trunk

Smooth plastic canvas or sturdy card for the internal supports

Tapestry needle

Stitch markers

Scissors

Optional colourful beads, approximately 8–10 mm

Optional small, flat weight, securely enclosed inside the pedestal

Choose yarn with approximately 230–300 metres per 100 g.

Cut the internal supports to fit your finished knitting. Avoid stretching your knitted pieces around an insert that is too large.

Instructions

There is something wonderfully cheerful about a little handmade Christmas tree, especially one that can come out with the decorations year after year.

This spruce has a knitted body underneath all those lovely textured branches. The foliage is made from one long strip of crochet shells, which you sew around the tree in a spiral. It is a clever way to create a full evergreen shape without making dozens of separate branches.

The knitting uses stocking stitch and simple decreases. You will also need basic crochet skills for the outer layer, so this is a lovely project for anyone who enjoys switching between needles and a hook.

Keep your tree plain for a woodland Christmas display, or decorate it with colourful beads. Those odd beads at the bottom of the craft drawer might finally have found their moment.

Instructions

Tension

Knitting: 28 stitches and 40 rows to 10 cm in stocking stitch.

The knitted fabric should be firm enough to contain the stuffing without visible gaps.

Crochet: Approximately eight shell clusters across 15 cm.

Make a small crochet sample before beginning the full branch strip. Choose a hook that produces well-defined shells with enough flexibility to curve around the cone.

Abbreviations

Knitting

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together
• St/sts: Stitch/stitches
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side

Crochet, using US terminology

• Ch: Chain
• Sl st: Slip stitch
• Dc: Double crochet
• Tr: Treble crochet

For UK crocheters, a US double crochet is a UK treble, and a US treble is a UK double treble.

Important Seam Allowance Note

All knitting is worked flat.

The cast-on numbers below include one seam stitch at each edge.

On every row:

1. Knit the first stitch.
2. Work the centre stitches as instructed.
3. Knit the last stitch.

Keep these two edge stitches outside all decrease repeats.

Every stitch total shown includes the two seam stitches.

When working stocking stitch, knit the centre stitches on RS rows and purl them on WS rows. Row 1 is a RS row.

Step 1: Knit the Brown Trunk

Using brown yarn, cast on 47 stitches.

Work 17 rows in stocking stitch, maintaining the seam stitches as described above.

Cast off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Join the side edges to make a short tube. Leave the top and bottom open.

Step 2: Knit the Circular Supports

Make three circles:

• Two brown circles for the pedestal
• One green circle for the bottom of the tree

For each circle, loosely cast on 83 stitches.

Work the following instructions between the two seam stitches.

Row	Centre stitches	Total stitches
1–4	Stocking stitch	83
5	(K7, K2tog) nine times	74
6	Purl	74
7	(K6, K2tog) nine times	65
8	Purl	65
9	(K5, K2tog) nine times	56
10	Purl	56
11	(K4, K2tog) nine times	47
12	Purl	47
13	(K3, K2tog) nine times	38
14	Purl	38
15	(K2, K2tog) nine times	29
16	Purl	29
17	(K1, K2tog) nine times	20
18	Purl	20
19	K2tog nine times	11

Cut the yarn, leaving a long sewing tail.

Thread the tail through the remaining 11 stitches, draw together and secure.

Sew the straight side edges together to form a circle. Keep the seam flat so the support sits neatly.

Repeat until you have two brown circles and one green circle.

Step 3: Knit the Green Tree Cone

Using green yarn, cast on 80 stitches.

Work the following instructions between the two seam stitches.

Row	Centre stitches	Total stitches
1–8	Stocking stitch	80
9	(K11, K2tog) six times	74
10–14	Stocking stitch	74
15	(K10, K2tog) six times	68
16–20	Stocking stitch	68
21	(K9, K2tog) six times	62
22–26	Stocking stitch	62
27	(K8, K2tog) six times	56
28–32	Stocking stitch	56
33	(K7, K2tog) six times	50
34–38	Stocking stitch	50
39	(K6, K2tog) six times	44
40–44	Stocking stitch	44
45	(K5, K2tog) six times	38
46–50	Stocking stitch	38
51	(K4, K2tog) six times	32
52–56	Stocking stitch	32
57	(K3, K2tog) six times	26
58–62	Stocking stitch	26
63	(K2, K2tog) six times	20
64–68	Stocking stitch	20
69	(K1, K2tog) six times	14
70–72	Stocking stitch	14
73	K2tog six times	8
74–78	Stocking stitch	8

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.

Thread through the remaining eight stitches, pull together and secure.

Sew the side edges together to form the cone, leaving the bottom open.

Step 4: Crochet the Branch Strip

Using green yarn, make a foundation chain approximately 360 cm long.

Adjust the final chain count so it is a multiple of six.

The chain length is a starting guide. You may need more or fewer branches depending on your crochet tension and how closely you position the spiral.

Work the branch strip as follows:

1. Into the third chain from the hook, work 3 dc, 2 tr, 3 dc, all into the same chain.
2. Skip two chains.
3. Work one sl st into the next chain.
4. Skip two chains.
5. Into the next chain, work 3 dc, 2 tr, 3 dc, all into the same chain.
6. Repeat Steps 2–5, ending after a slip stitch in the final chain.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Tip: For a more manageable project, crochet several shorter strips, each beginning with a multiple of six chains. Hide the joins beneath neighbouring shells when attaching them.

If the shells curl, gently arrange them by hand. Block only as permitted by your yarn’s care instructions.

Step 5: Assemble the Pedestal

Lay the two brown circles flat without stretching them.

Cut a support disc slightly smaller than their outer edges. If necessary, use two layers for a firmer pedestal.

Place the disc between the brown circles, with the right sides of the knitting facing outward.

Sew around the outer edge to enclose the support.

If using a small flat weight, securely enclose it inside before completing the seam. Keep the underside level so the tree can stand steadily.

Step 6: Fill and Attach the Trunk

Cut or roll firm foam into a cylinder that fits comfortably inside the knitted trunk.

The foam should fill the tube without forcing the knitting to stretch. Trim it to the height of the trunk.

Insert the foam.

Centre the bottom of the trunk on the upper brown pedestal circle. Sew around its lower edge securely.

Place the green circle over the top of the trunk, with its right side facing upward.

Sew the upper edge of the trunk to the underside of the green circle.

Step 7: Stuff the Tree Cone

Add stuffing to the cone in small amounts, beginning at the pointed tip.

Distribute the filling evenly as you work towards the base. The cone should feel firm and hold its shape, but the stitches should not spread enough to show the stuffing.

Cut a support disc to fit inside the cone’s lower opening. Check that it also fits within the green base circle.

Position the disc beneath the stuffing, then bring the green base circle underneath it.

Pin or tack the cone’s lower edge around the green circle, easing the pieces together evenly.

Sew around the edge to close the tree, enclosing the support disc.

Stand the tree upright and check its balance before securing the last stitches.

Step 8: Sew on the Spruce Branches

Starting at the bottom, pin the crochet strip around the cone in an upward spiral.

Keep the foundation-chain edge against the knitted body. Allow the shell clusters to project outward and overlap the layer below.

Begin with approximately 1 cm between spiral turns, then adjust the spacing to cover the cone.

Sew along the foundation-chain edge with matching yarn.

Continue around the tree until you reach the tip. Taper the arrangement neatly at the top and secure the end.

If your strip is too short, crochet another section. If it is too long, unravel the surplus shells and fasten off the remaining yarn securely.

Step 9: Add the Decorations

Sew beads individually around the tree, distributing the colours and sizes as you go.

Turn the tree regularly while decorating so the beads are spread across every side.

For a bead-free version, try small yarn bows or embroidered French knots.

Display note: This tree is a decorative item. Versions containing beads, weights or rigid inserts should be kept away from young children.

Ideas for Personalising Your Tree

• Use deep green yarn and wooden beads for a woodland display.
• Choose cream yarn with gold decorations for a softer Christmas palette.
• Add tiny red bows for a traditional finish.
• Leave the branches undecorated to show off their texture.
• Arrange several trees together on a tray with other handmade decorations.

Before putting your tree on display, check for any gaps between the branch layers. A few small stitches can bring neighbouring shells together and give the spruce a fuller shape.

Then find it a little spot among your Christmas decorations. Handmade pieces like this have a lovely way of becoming the ones everyone remembers unpacking each year.