This easy DIY tree can be made by any skill level of crocheter and offers a chance to involve kids of all ages. Use yarn you probably already have, and go on a treasure hunt for the perfect stick to use as a trunk! Easy crocheted circles form the evergreen foliage.
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The design was inspired by a comment from my daughter, who suggested stacking different crocheted shapes to form a tree. This example uses nine circles in graduated sizes, but you can use adjust the number to fit the height of your trunk.
Experiment with different shapes, colors and types of yarn to vary the look of your forest. For inspiration for more shapes, take a look at Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs or Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs.
The pattern is geared towards advanced beginners and uses American crochet terminology.
The free crochet pattern is below. You may also purchase a downloadable ad-free pdf of the pattern. The premium pattern includes stitch diagrams to help you expand your chart reading skills.
The Yarn
Use any medium weight (worsted weight) yarn. For the solid colored tree shown I used Red Heart with Love, 100% acrylic, in color Jadeite. Each 7 oz [198 g] ball has 370 yards [338 meters]. It takes less than one skein to make the tree shown.
For the variegated tree, I used some unlabeled, leftover yarn in my stash.
Trees don’t have to be green. Wouldn’t it be fun to use up scraps of different colors and make a happy, multi-colored tree?
Tabletop Tree Free Crochet Pattern
Finished Dimensions
Variable; trees shown measure approximately 15″ [38 cm] tall x 7″ [18 cm] diameter at widest point
Materials
Worsted-weight yarn: approximately 130 yds [118 m]
Size J [6 mm] crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Stick or dowel approximately ¼” [6 mm] diameter and 15″ [38 cm] tall, or size desired to use as tree trunk
Wooden block, piece of sturdy Styrofoam or something else to use as a base. Base should be wide enough and heavy enough to support the height of the trunk.
Hot glue or craft glue
Optional: small piece of burlap and about 24″ [61 cm] of twine, for covering base
Gauge
Rnds 1-3 of Circle 5 = 4″ [10 cm] diameter
Gauge is not crucial in this pattern. However, you do need to create a medium-stiff fabric so the pieces don’t droop too much.
Pattern Notes
Circles are not meant to be flat; they have a slightly ruffled shape.
The pattern is written to reflect the photographed sample. Experiment with the sizes or number of each circle to fit the size of your stick and your desired tree shape.
Choose your “trunk” before crocheting, then check each circle as you crochet to make sure that the center opening slides easily onto the trunk.
Abbreviations
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
picot: ch 3, slip st in 3rd chain from hook
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sc: single crochet
sp(s): space(s)
st(s): stitch(es)
Instructions
Circle 1 (Make 1)
Ch 6. Join with slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *sc in ring, ch 1, picot, ch 1; rep from * 7 more times, join with slip st to first sc—8 picots.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Circle 2 (Make 1)
Ch 6. Join with slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), *dc in ring, ch 1; rep from * 10 more times, join with slip st to 3rd ch of beginning ch-4, slip st in next sp—12 dc, 12 ch-1 sps.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, picot, ch 1, *sc in next space, ch 1, picot, ch 1; rep from * around, join with slip st to first sc—12 picots.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Circle 3 (Make 2)
Ch 6. Join with slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring, join with slip st to top of ch-3—16 dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), *dc in next st, ch 2; rep from * around, join with slip st to 3rd ch of ch-5, slip st in next sp—16 dc, 16 ch-2 sps.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, picot, ch 1, *sc in next space, ch 1, picot, ch 1; rep from * around, join with slip st to first sc—16 picots.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Circle 4 (Make 3)
Ch 6. Join with slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), 15 dc in ring, join with slip st to top of ch-3—16 dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with slip st to top of ch-3—32 dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), *dc in next st, ch 1; rep from * around, join with slip st to 3rd ch of ch-4, slip st in next sp—32 dc, 32 ch-1 sps.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, picot, ch 1, *sc in next space, ch 1, picot, ch 1; rep from * around, join with slip st to first sc—32 picots.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Circle 5 (Make 2)
Ch 6. Join with slip st to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), 15 dc in ring, join with slip st to top of ch-3—16 dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, join with slip st to top of ch-3—32 dc.
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in each st around, join with slip st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 4: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), *dc in next st, ch 2; rep from * around, join with slip st to 3rd ch of ch-5, slip st in next sp—32 dc, 32 ch-2 sps.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 1, picot, ch 1, *sc in next space, ch 1, picot, ch 1; rep from * around, join with slip st to first sc—32 picots.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Block.
Assembly
Following instructions for the glue and the base material you are using, glue trunk to base. For a Styrofoam base, insert trunk into base before gluing. If you are using a wooden base, you may also use a small nail to tack trunk to base. Do your best to get the trunk straight, but remember that not all trees grow straight. Your slightly crooked tree is simply realistic!
Allow glue to dry.
Beginning with Circle 5 and working from largest to smallest, slide each circle onto the trunk. Determine placement and fit, removing circles or adding circles to work with the height of your trunk. Make a small mark in the truck to indicate placement of each tier. Remove circles from trunk.
Cut a piece of yarn approximately 30″ [76 cm] long. Wrap yarn tightly around trunk just below lowest mark, to create a “knot” in the trunk that will stop the tier from sliding down. Tie ends of yarn together securely. Do not cut yarn tails. Slide largest circle onto trunk and allow it to rest on top of the knot you just formed.
Repeat this process for each tier of the tree, sliding knots up and down as needed. Circle 1 should rest at the very top of the trunk.
Once all tiers are arranged as desired, glue each knot onto trunk to prevent movement.
Make a whole forest-full of trees!
Don’t forget you can get an easily printable downloadable ad-free pdf of the pattern.
What’s Next?
Find stockings, tree skirts and more holiday decor in Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree.
