12 Crochet Christmas Doll Free Patterns
Christmas is the best time to crochet a doll. A handmade Santa on the mantel or a tiny elf on the tree feels special, and kids love having a holiday doll to play with each December. These patterns also make great last-minute gifts.
Below are 12 free crochet Christmas doll patterns. You will find Santa and Mrs. Claus in several sizes, a few cheeky elves, gingerbread twins and a tall nutcracker gnome. Some are big huggable dolls, and some are tiny ornaments you can finish in an evening.
Crochet Christmas Doll Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted weight yarn in red, white, green and skin tones
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 5 mm)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Safety eyes (or black embroidery floss)
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Ornament hooks or thin ribbon for hanging
1. Santa Claus Crochet Doll
Photo: C.L. Halvorson / Happy Yellow House
This classic Santa doll uses Red Heart Super Saver, so you can find the yarn at any craft store. He has the red suit, white trim and beard you expect, and he makes a cheerful decoration for a shelf or a gift for a child. It is a free download on Ravelry.
- Designer: C.L. Halvorson / Happy Yellow House
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran / worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. No-Sew Santa
Photo: Jess Huff
This Santa stands 14 inches tall, so he is a real statement piece. The pattern is built to avoid sewing, which saves a lot of time at the end. You get the full written pattern on the page, plus a free PDF version. Pick this one if you want a big Santa to keep for years.
- Designer: Jess Huff
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4), 4.5 mm (G) for trim
- Price: Free (free PDF too)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Easy Mrs. Claus
Photo: Sigoni Macaroni
This rag-doll style Mrs. Claus wears a scarlet dress, a white collar and a green-trimmed apron, with a pom pom hair bun on top. She is made almost all in single crochet and needs no magic ring. At about 10 inches tall, she is a sweet size for little hands.
- Designer: Sigoni Macaroni
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Santa and Mrs. Claus Pair
Photo: Crochethea
Two dolls in one pattern. This little Santa and Mrs. Claus are only about 3 inches tall and use fine cotton yarn. The designer says you can make the pair in a few hours, so they are perfect for gift toppers, a tiny tabletop scene or a stocking surprise.
- Designer: Crochethea
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport / fine (#2)
- Hook: 2.25 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Posable Santa
Photo: Ana / The Nomad Knot
This slim Santa has skinny arms and legs that you can bend and pose. Sit him on the mantel, hang him on the tree or add him to a garland. He is about 6 inches tall and worked in cotton sport yarn. The designer calls it beginner-friendly.
- Designer: Ana / The Nomad Knot
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport weight cotton (#2)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Mini Mrs. Claus Ornament
Photo: Ana Figueiredo / Little Crochet Farm
This tiny Mrs. Claus is only about 2.4 inches tall, hat included. She is part of a mini Christmas ornament collection, so you can make a whole set to hang on the tree. Use leftover cotton yarn and finish her in one sitting.
- Designer: Ana Figueiredo / Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport weight cotton (#2)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Lil’ Loops Santa Ornament
Photo: Sara / Darling Maple Designs
This chubby Santa is made with plush chenille-style yarn, so he is super soft and works up fast. The pattern is low-sew and part of a five-pattern holiday set. The designer says it is advanced-beginner friendly, which makes it a good first plush ornament.
- Designer: Sara / Darling Maple Designs
- Skill level: Easy (advanced beginner)
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Mini Christmas Elf
Photo: Stephanie / Grace and Yarn
This elf wears a striped sweater, bib overalls and a hat with the hair crocheted right onto it. The legs, body and head are worked in one piece, so there is less sewing. You get boy and girl hair options. Despite the name, this “mini” elf is about 10 inches tall.
- Designer: Stephanie / Grace and Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Elise the Elf
Photo: Juliana Penhorate (published by Circulo Yarns)
Elise is a girl elf doll about 9 inches tall, made in light fingering yarn for neat, small stitches. She would look lovely on a shelf next to a little tree. The pattern is a free Ravelry download and is also shared on the Circulo Yarns website.
- Designer: Juliana Penhorate (published by Circulo Yarns)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Light fingering (#1)
- Hook: 2.75 mm (C), 3.25 mm (D)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Elf Ornament
Photo: Hookfully
This little elf is worked in one piece, with a separate collar and hat. He is about 13 cm (5 inches) high and made to hang on the tree, but kids can play with him too. The pattern came from a Christmas ornament crochet-along, and the free version is on the page.
- Designer: Hookfully
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK / light worsted (#3)
- Hook: 3 mm and 4 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Mini Gingerbread Boy and Girl
Photo: Holly Lanier / Storyland Amis
Meet the Gingerbread Twins, a tiny boy and girl about 3.5 inches tall. The girl gets a little bow, and both have rosy cheeks and buttons. They are worked in the round in brown and white yarn. Make a pair for each child in the family, or tie them onto gifts.
- Designer: Holly Lanier / Storyland Amis
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), plus DK (#3) for details
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F), 2.75 mm (C)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Nutcracker Gnome
Photo: Jen Hayes / Jen Hayes Creations
This tall nutcracker gnome stands about 14.5 inches with his hat knob. You can pick from three jacket colors and add a hat band, chain, holly or buttons. The designer based his outfit on a ballet nutcracker costume. If you make him in crochet thread, he comes out about 7 inches tall.
- Designer: Jen Hayes / Jen Hayes Creations
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E/4)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- New to doll making? Start with #3, the Easy Mrs. Claus. It is almost all single crochet.
- Want tree ornaments? Make #6, #7 and #10 for a mini Santa, Mrs. Claus and elf set.
- Need a big gift for a child? Choose #2, the 14-inch No-Sew Santa.
- Short on time? Try #4. You get Santa and Mrs. Claus in a few hours.
- Love holiday decor? #12, the Nutcracker Gnome, looks great on a mantel.
FAQ
When should I start crocheting Christmas dolls?
Start in October or early November if you plan to make several. A tiny ornament may take one evening, but a 14-inch doll can take a few weekends. Make the big pieces first, then fill in with quick minis in December.
What yarn is best for a crochet Christmas doll?
Worsted weight acrylic is easy to find in bright red, white and green, and it is washable. For tiny ornaments, cotton sport yarn gives crisp details. Plush chenille-style yarn makes soft, cuddly Santas. Always check the weight your pattern lists.
Can I sell Christmas dolls made from free patterns?
Many designers allow you to sell finished dolls if you credit them, but rules differ. Read the note on each pattern page before you sell. You can never share or sell the pattern itself, only the finished item.
Grab your red yarn, put on a holiday movie and start your first crochet Christmas doll this weekend.