Get ready to infuse your holiday season with creativity and charm with this crochet advent calendar pattern! This delightful project not only adds a personal touch to your Christmas celebrations but also sets the stage for a merry countdown to the big day. From selecting the perfect yarn and crochet hook to filling the pockets with festive goodies, each step is outlined to guide you in creating a one-of-a-kind countdown to Christmas calendar that will bring joy and excitement to your home.
Jump into the crochet advent calendar pattern now, or PIN it for later here!
I have seen so many adorable advent calendars out on the interwebs – crochet and non-crochet alike! However, what I felt was missing, was a crochet version that was designed with pockets big enough to put little goodies in! And that was what I was looking for, so I thought, “I better do something about that”.
Enter THIS crochet advent calendar pattern. At 22″ wide by 32″ tall, this ain’t no petit calendar. This one is a statement piece – and one that will be one of the best parts of the season for the little’s. My kids LOVE to put up the little daily ornaments on the felt advent calendar their GG made them years ago. I’m excited to add this one to the morning anticipation during the holiday season!
I’ve created a helpful video tutorial for this pattern as well. You can find that further down in this post or access it straight away on YouTube here.
Also to inspire some ideas for what to fill this adorable crochet advent calendar with, I’ve created a robust list of 200+ advent calendar gift ideas you can check out here!
This crochet advent calendar pattern is supported by ads on my blog. If you’d rather print the pattern for some cozy couch crocheting, you can find the ad-free, printable PDF in my shop here or on Ravelry here.
If you prefer using a color graph to crochet repeat sc rows, the 26-page printable PDF copy of the pattern also includes 2 graphs and lots of additional photos!
This pattern is written in US terms. If needed, you can find a handy term conversion chart right here in my Resource Library.
You can find the printable, AD-FREE version of this crochet pattern here:
Free Crochet Advent Calendar Pattern Guide:
Size & Gauge:
Size:
Main panel: 22″ wide x 32″ tall
Each pocket: 3″ wide x 2.75″ tall
Gauge: 16 st x 18 rows of single crochet (sc) in 4″ x 4″
Policies & Disclaimers:
This crochet advent calendar pattern is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. This pattern or parts of it may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, published, altered, translated, posted or shared without authorization. You can sell your finished items provided that you credit Off the Beaten Hook as the designer using this verbiage, “This pattern was designed by Lindsey Roe and Off the Beaten Hook.” Thank you for your respectfulness!
This post contains affiliate links for materials I use and love. If you purchase something using one of these links I may earn a small commission which in no way affects the cost to you. These partnerships help me support my small business which allows me to provide you with free crochet patterns. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support!
What makes this crochet advent calendar pattern eco-friendly and sustainable?
THE YARN: I use only sustainable and eco-friendly yarn that has been ethically grown/raised and processed, putting the people and the planet first. I also always recommend choosing yarn from your stash first, before going out and buying more. This is why I chose a mix of recycled yarn and yarn from my stash for this pattern.
THE SLOW YARN MOVEMENT: I’m participating in the Slow Yarn Movement. There’s far too much to talk about here, but please take a few minutes to learn about what this means by reading the article I wrote about the Slow Yarn Movement as part of my 6-part Sustainable Crochet Series.
I’M MAKING SUSTAINABLE TOYS FOR MY KIDS: This is the reason I learned how to crochet to begin with! I wanted my son to have mostly sustainable toys to play with as I eliminated a huge amount of non-renewable plastics from our home.
If you’re interested in learning more about sustainable crochet you can read all about it in the 6-part series I wrote covering everything about Sustainable Crochet and how to implement it into your own crafting starting today!
Materials you will need for the Crochet Advent Calendar:
YARN:
I used yarn from my stash for this project. The panel uses a notable amount of yarn but the applique’s use very little! I recommend using cotton yarn because it doesn’t stretch. If you’re going to fill this advent calendar with goodies, you won’t want to use a stretchy yarn – you’ll want it to be nice and tight and sturdy!
To keep the simple/minimal look, choose a pallet of 6 yarns (plus black) to use amongst the applique decorations.
Here’s what you’ll need:
If you need to buy yarn for this project, here are my yarn recommendations. Conveniently, you can buy online for IN-STORE PICKUP or SHIPPING with Joann!
MAIN PANEL:
Worsted/Medium/4 weight: Lily Sugar’n Cream Worsted Cotton
- Color A – Natural: 550 yards
- Color B – Brown: 25 yards
- Color C – Green: 375 yards
POCKETS:
Worsted/Medium/4 weight: Lily Sugar’n Cream Worsted Cotton
- Color A – Red: 95 yards
- Color B – Light Gray: 55 yards
- Color C – Charcoal Gray: 75 yards
APPLIQUE DECORATIONS:
Light Worsted/DK/3 weight: K+C Essential Lightweight Cotton
- Yellow, Navy
- A different Green & Red (different from panel and pockets so they stand out a bit)
OTHER TOOLS & MATERIALS:
Hanging Dowel (optional x2)
Abbreviations used in this crochet advent calendar pattern:
ch – chain
st – stitch
hk – hook
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
mc – magic circle
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
picot – picot st
FLO – front loop only
BLO – back loop only
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
inc – increase
dec – decrease
PH – photo reference #
(…) x – repeat x times
{…} x – make all st within brackets in the same st
[…] – stitches in row/round
Crochet Advent Calendar Project Timeline:
Main Tree Panel Notes:
- Use worsted weight yarn and the 4.50 mm hook
- The main tree panel is worked in turning rows from the bottom up.
- Ch 1 at the end of each row (doesn’t count as a st).
- I do not prefer to carry my yarn, so I used a method where I worked with 3 balls of yarn at once – one neutral colored ball on the right side, a colored ball (brown for trunk and then switching to green for tree) in the middle and another neutral colored ball on the left side. If you prefer to carry yarn, that will work as well!
- Odd numbered rows are always the RIGHT SIDE (RS) and even numbered rows are always the WRONG SIDE (WS).
- When changing colors as you work across, always drop your yarn to the wrong side for the cleanest color changes and for the cleanest look on front (unless, of course, you’re carrying your yarn). This means, every other row you’re dropping it towards you (even numbered rows/WS), and every other row, you’re dropping it away from you (odd numbered rows/RS). I cover this method in the video tutorial.
How to read the method for the tree panel:
- The stitch count for all rows is the same (94)
- The stitch for all rows is the same (sc)
- Therefore, I elected to write the pattern for the panel in simple terms that indicate how many stitches of what color to complete in sc (below): the Row # is indicated, followed by shaded boxes with a number inside. The shade of the box indicates the color of yarn which the number inside the box indicates the number of sc to complete in that color before changing to the next color in the row.
- There is also a graph provided if you’d prefer to just follow the counts on the graph – but I understand that the font is REALLY small, so hopefully with the grids-by-row provided, along with the graph for visualization, you’ll be able to complete the panel clearly.
Main Tree Panel Pattern:
Begin by chaining 95. Then, beginning in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc across, changing colors as indicated by the shaded color of the box:
Pocket Notes:
- Use worsted weight yarn and the 4.50mm hook
- The pockets are worked in turning rows – ch 1 and turn after every row (except row 13).
- Technically, each “individual” pocket measures 12 st wide, by 13 rows tall. However, the pockets (except for the smallest) are created in wide panels and then seamed vertically every 12 st to separate the individual pockets.
- There are 5 different sizes of panels for the pockets (for 3 of the sizes, you will make 2 each).
- From smallest to largest, the pockets are titled “A, B, C, D and E”.
- All pockets are finished/fastened the same, which is: Snip, leaving a very long tail for sewing onto the tree panel and then fasten off. (I leave a length of yarn tail about triple the length of the pocket to seam on).
Pockets Pattern:
| POCKET A – make 1 (color: charcoal gray) | ||
| Begin by chaining 13 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and each st across, ch 1, turn | [12] |
| Row 2-13 | sc across, ch 1, turn | [12] |
| POCKET B – make 2 (colors: red & light gray) | ||
| Begin by chaining 25 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and each st across, ch 1, turn | [24] |
| Row 2-13 | sc across, ch 1, turn | [24] |
| POCKET C – make 2 (color: red & charcoal gray) | ||
| Begin by chaining 37 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and each st across, ch 1, turn | [36] |
| Row 2-13 | sc across, ch 1, turn | [36] |
| POCKET D – make 2 (color: charcoal gray & light gray) | ||
| Begin by chaining 49 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and each st across, ch 1, turn | [48] |
| Row 2-13 | sc across, ch 1, turn | [48] |
| POCKET E – make 1 (color: red) | ||
| Begin by chaining 61 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and each st across, ch 1, turn | [60] |
| Row 2-13 | sc across, ch 1, turn | [60] |
Complete the Pockets:
Star Tree Topper:
NOTES:
- Use yellow DK weight yarn and the 3.00mm hook
- The star is worked in continuous rounds – do not join after each round
| Rnd 1: | st 6 sc in a magic circle | [6] |
| Rnd 2: | inc in each st around | [12] |
| Rnd 3: | (sc 1, inc) x6 | [18] |
| Rnd 4: | (sc 2, inc) x6 | [24] |
| Rnd 5: | (sc 3, inc) x6 | [30] |
| Rnd 6: | (sc in next st, {hdc, dc} in next st, {tr, ch 1, tr} in next st, {dc, hdc} in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st) x5, except eliminate the final sl st on the last repeat/point | [44] |
| Snip, leaving a long tail for sewing on and invisible fasten to first sc to complete the star. Seam the star onto the top of the tree (or set aside to add later when you add everything else!). | ||
Bobble Ornament: Make 2
NOTES:
- Use DK weight yarn in your choice of colors and the 3.00mm hook
- The ornament is worked in continuous rounds – do not join after each round
| Rnd 1: | st 6 sc in a magic circle | [6] |
| Rnd 2: | inc in each st around | [12] |
| Rnd 3: | (sc 1, inc) x6 | [18] |
| Rnd 4: | (sc 2, inc) x6 | [24] |
| Rnd 5: | sl st in each st around. Fasten off and weave in end. | [24] |
| Add bulb topper in contrasting color: | ||
| Anywhere along the circle, rejoin yarn through both loops of a st from Rnd 4 (behind the slip stitches) and ch 1 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in next 4 st (using the stitches from Rnd 4, behind the row of sl st), ch 1, turn | [4] |
| Row 2: | sc in each st across | [4] |
| Fasten off and weave in end. Using the same contrasting color, embroider your choice of decoration across the bobble ornament. | ||
Stocking – Make 2:
NOTES:
- Use DK weight yarn and the 3.00mm hook
- For the stocking, you’ll begin with the ribbed cuff, then switch to the stocking color and work the sock section afterward.
- Take your choice of contrasting colors and embroidery decoration for the toe and heel
| Using the cuff color, begin the ribbed cuff by chaining 5 | ||
| Row 1: | sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in the next 3 ch’s | [4] |
| Row 2-5*: | Ch 1, turn, BLO sc across | [4] |
| *Pattern is written for stocking toe pointing to the right (blue pictured stocking). If you want your second stocking pointing the opposite way, simply add one more sc row here and then continue with the pattern. | ||
| Switch to stocking color and ch 1 | ||
| Row 6 (rs): | Working along the bottom edge of the cuff, make 5 sc through the BLO for the first row of the sock portion. Don’t stress about exact placement – there isn’t a super clear “back loop” along the edge of the ribbing | [5] |
| Row 7-9: | Ch 1, turn, sc across | [5] |
| Row 10 (rs): | Without chaining, turn your work, sk 2, make 3 dc in the next st. Then, working along the post of the last dc you made: make 1 sc and 1 hdc, hdc in the same st where you made the 3 dc, sc in the next st, sl st in the last st | [8] |
| Rnd 11-12: | Ch 1, turn, sc in the next 5 st | [5] |
| Row 13: | Without chaining, turn your work, sk 2, make 6 dc in the next st, sk the next st, sl st in the last st | [7] |
| Fasten off and weave in ends. Using a length of contrasting yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider some decoration on the toe and heel. | ||
Holly Leaves & Berries:
NOTES:
- Use alternate red and green colored DK weight yarn and the 3.00mm hook
- The leaves are worked around a starting chain. The berries are worked separate and then they’re all attached together.
- TIP: To keep track of your ch-spaces on either end, use a stitch marker after making the ch-space so it’s easier to find on Rnd 2 – this includes the very initial turning chain.
| Holly Leaves – make 4 | ||
| Begin by chaining 8 | ||
| Rnd 1: | Sc in the 2nd ch from the hk , sc in next ch, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sc + ch 1 + sc in final ch working on other side: sc 2, hdc, dc, hdc, sc 2, sl st to initial ch-sp | |
| Rnd 2: | Ch 1, (sl st in next 2 st, mini picot) x3, sl st in last st, sl st in ch-sp, mini picot, sl st in same ch-sp. Working on other side, (sl st in next 2, mini picot) x3, sl st in last st, sl st to next ch and fasten off. | |
| Holly Berries – make 6 | ||
| Chain 2, make 4 hdc into the 2nd ch from hook. Snip, leaving a long tail. Using a tapestry needle and the yarn tail, bring the needle under the first hdc from back to front and pull to create a small berry. Tie off both yarn tails together to secure the berry. | ||
| Assemble the leaves and berries: | ||
| Take two holly leaves and overlap them slightly at the base of the leaves. Decide where you want the first berry to lay and bring your hook from back to front through the leaves. Snatch the yarn tails of the berry and bring them to the back. Tie them off to secure. Repeat with the other 2 berries. Snip yarn tails. | ||
Candy Canes – Make 2:
NOTES:
- Use alternate red, DK weight yarn and the 3.00mm hook
- The candy canes are worked by creating a chain and then working back into the chain.
- There are 2 methods for the candy cane so you can make one bending to the right and one bending to the left.
- The stripes are embroidered on after the candy cane is made.
| Candy cane bending to the right: | ||
| Begin by chaining 18 | ||
| Row 1: | hdc in the 2nd ch from the hk, make 2 dc in each of the next 6 chs, make 1 dc in each of the next 9 chs, in the last ch {hdc, sl st} | |
| Fasten off. Using a contrasting color, embroider stripes over every other dc st along the candy cane. Weave in ends. | ||
| Candy cane bending to the left: | ||
| Begin by chaining 18 | ||
| Row 1: | dc in the 3rd ch from the hk, make 1 dc in each of the next 8 chs, make 2 dc in each of the next 6 chs, in the last ch {hdc, sl st} | |
| Fasten off. Using a contrasting color, embroider stripes over every other dc st along the candy cane. Weave in ends. | ||
Christmas Lights – Make 14:
NOTES:
- Use DK weight yarn and the 3.00mm hook
- Refer to the video tutorial for help with the Christmas lights, if needed!
- The Christmas lights are made by working one round into a magic circle.
- Make 14 lights: Choose 4 different colors and make 3 in 2 of the colors and 4 in the other 2 colors
- The cord is added after the lights are adhered onto the pockets – use black yarn for the cord
| Begin with a magic circle | ||
| Row 1: | Into the magic circle: dc, hdc, sc 3, ch 2, sc 3, hdc, dc. Keep your yarn on the hook, but close the magic circle tightly at this point. Sl st to first dc but do not remove your hook from the loop just yet… | [10 st + 2 chs] |
| Snip your yarn tail. With your hook still in place through your final loop, tie/knot the two yarn ends tightly 2 or 3 times. Snip the yarn tails close to the knot. Finally, remove your hook and you’ll be left with a tiny Christmas light and a loop to hang it onto the cord which will come later. | ||
Finish Assembling the Tree:
Crochet Advent Calendar Pattern Video Tutorial:
Now, what to put into all those adorable little pockets?
You did it! Well done! I hope you loved using this free crochet advent calendar pattern. But now what, right?
Coming up with 24 creative ideas to put INTO all those cute little pockets might feel daunting after creating this behemoth of an advent calendar!
Don’t worry, I’ve done some leg work for you. Head over to this article where I give you over 200 advent calendar gift ideas to stuff those little pockets with. And lots of them are free!
In the meantime, I would love to see your advent calendars! Please post pictures on instagram and tag me @offthebeatenhook and use #offthebeatenhook.
In crocheting your own DIY Advent Calendar, you have the opportunity to infuse your Christmas celebrations with a personal touch and make each day leading up to Christmas filled with joy and excitement. Start crocheting today to make this festive season truly special for you and your loved ones. As you count down to Christmas, remember that the act of creating something special with your hands can make the holiday season even more magical.
PIN FOR LATER!
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