If you want a Christmas decoration you can finish in an evening, this crochet Christmas garland is it. Each star takes about ten minutes and only three rounds, and once you have a little pile of them you simply crochet a chain string and slip-stitch the stars on as you go.
It’s a great scrap-yarn project, it looks lovely across a mantel, a window or a bookshelf, and single stars make sweet gift tags and tree ornaments too.
In this post
Pattern at a glance
- Skill levelEasy
- Star sizeAbout 3 in across
- TimeAbout 10 minutes per star
- YarnWorsted weight (#4)
- Hook4.5 mm (US 7)
- TermsUS crochet terms
Free printable pattern
The PDF has the star, the string, the garland sizes and the star chart on three pages, so you can print it or keep it open on your phone.
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn in two or three colours, about 3 yd (2.6 m) per star. I like mustard gold, Christmas red and cream.
- Yarn for the string: about 5 yd for a 7-star garland, 7 yd for an 11-star one
- 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle and scissors
Smooth cotton gives the crispest points; acrylic is softer and a little fluffier. A metallic gold yarn looks lovely for one or two stars, but it’s slippery, so make a couple in plain yarn first.
Abbreviations (US terms)
| US | Meaning | UK equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ch | chain | ch |
| sl st | slip stitch | ss |
| sc | single crochet | dc |
| hdc | half double crochet | htr |
| dc | double crochet | tr |
| st(s) | stitch(es) | st(s) |
Crochet Christmas garland pattern
Star (make 7 for a mantel, 11 for a tree)
- Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, work 5 sc into the ring and join with a sl st to the first sc. Pull the ring tight. (5)
- Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (10)
- Round 3: *Ch 5. Working back along the chain: sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, dc in the last ch. Skip the next st of Round 2 and sl st in the following st. Repeat from * 4 more times. (5 points)
Fasten off and weave in the ends. Each point uses two stitches of Round 2 (one skipped, one slip-stitched into), so the five points use all ten and your last slip stitch lands right where Round 3 started.
String and joining
Lay your stars out in the order you want them before you start; it’s much easier than deciding as you go.
- First loop: ch 10, sl st in the first ch to make a hanging loop.
- Lead: ch 25.
- Add the stars: *sl st into the tip of one point of a star (the little turning chain at the very tip), ch 15. Repeat from * for each star, finishing with the last star’s sl st.
- Tail and second loop: ch 25, then ch 10 and sl st in the 10th ch from the hook. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Garland sizes
| Garland | Stars | Chains in the string | Approx. length | Yarn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Window | 5 | 110 | 37 in (94 cm) | 14 yd stars + 4 yd string |
| Mantel | 7 | 140 | 49 in (125 cm) | 20 yd stars + 5 yd string |
| Tree | 11 | 200 | 73 in (185 cm) | 31 yd stars + 7 yd string |
Lengths don’t include the two 10-chain loops and depend on how loose your chains are. To make a longer garland, add 15 chains and one more star for roughly every extra 6 inches.
Tips for crisp stars
- Keep the ch 5 snug. Loose chains make floppy, rounded points.
- Don’t skip the skip. If you forget to skip a stitch of Round 2, you’ll run out of room for the fifth point.
- Block them flat. Pin each star to a towel, pull the points out, mist with water and let them dry. Ten minutes of blocking makes a huge difference.
- Hide the tails by weaving them through the back of Round 2 before blocking.
- Attach by the same point on every star so they all hang at the same angle.
More ways to use the stars
- Tree ornaments: add a 12-chain loop to one point instead of a string.
- Gift toppers: tie a star onto a parcel with baker’s twine.
- Advent garland: make 24 stars and clip a tiny number tag to each.
- Wreath: stitch a ring of stars onto a twig or embroidery-hoop wreath.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the garland take?
Each star has just 15 sc plus five short points, so most people make one in about ten minutes. A seven-star mantel garland, including the string and weaving in ends, is an easy evening project.
Can I use thinner yarn?
Yes. The pattern doesn’t change, only the size. DK or sport weight cotton with a 3–3.5 mm hook gives dainty 2-inch stars that are perfect for a tree.
Why are my star points curling?
Usually because the chain is tighter than the stitches worked back along it. Try a slightly looser ch 5, then block the star flat. A quick press with a warm iron through a damp cloth also works for cotton.
Save it for later
Pin the image below so the pattern is easy to find when you’re decorating. If you make a garland, I’d love to see it: send a photo to info@cozymakery.com.
More festive makes: the crochet Christmas hat for the whole family, the crochet Christmas stocking, the cone Christmas trees and the flat Christmas tree ornament. Browse everything in Christmas Crafts.
