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Did you know that handmade holiday decorations are making a huge comeback, with Pinterest reporting a 350% increase in searches for DIY Christmas crafts?

I'm so excited to share this crochet project with you!

This Christmas tree garland tutorial will help you create a decoration that's perfect for mantels, staircases, or your Christmas tree.

Let's get started on this cosy winter project!

Materials Needed for Your Christmas Tree Garland

Before diving into this festive project, let’s make sure you’ve got everything you need. The right materials will ensure your garland is both beautiful and durable, so don't skip this step!

Yarn

Choose a medium-weight yarn in your colour of choice. You can also add a touch of sparkle with metallic or glittery yarns—perfect for a holiday vibe.

For a rustic feel, try natural wool in earthy tones.

If you want your trees to pop, pick a contrasting color for the trunk.

What I used

Yarn for Trees: Natural coloured cotton yarn

Yarn for Garland: Rose coloured organic hemp cord

Hook Size: 3.5

Measurement of one completed tree: Height Width

Please note: Your size might be slightly different depending on your crochet style, and the hook and yarn you use.

Crochet Hook

Check your yarn lable for hook size guidelins.

Use a size 4.5mm (G/7) or 5mm (H/8) hook. This range works well for medium-weight yarn and gives your trees the right balance of structure and softness.

Why does hook size matter?

A smaller hook creates tighter stitches and sharper shapes, while a larger hook makes the trees softer and slightly larger.

Additional Supplies

Have these essentials on hand:

Scissors (sharp ones for clean cuts).
Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends neatly).
Measuring tape (to ensure consistent sizing).
Two stitch markers

Yarn Quantity: Plan ahead by calculating your garland’s length. For a 10 trees you’ll need about 250 meters of yarn, depending.

Got everything?

Great! Now you’re all set to bring your crochet Christmas garland to life.

Basic Crochet Stitches You'll Need to Know

This projects uses chain and single stitches, single crochet increase and a slip knot to get started.

Slip Knot

Take the end of your yarn and form a loop with your fingers.
Wrap the working end of the yarn (the end connected to the yarn ball) around your finger and through the loop you created.
Gently pull on the working end of the yarn to tighten the knot.
Slide the knot onto your crochet hook.

Chain Stitch (ch)

This is the foundation of many crochet projects. It’s the most basic stitch and acts as the starting point for nearly everything.
To make a chain stitch, simply yarn over and pull the loop through the existing loop on your hook. In this project, you’ll use the chain stitch to start your tree’s foundation row and to connect each tree to the garland.

Single Crochet (sc) US = Double Crochet (dc) UK

This is your go-to stitch for a dense, structured fabric.
To make a single crochet, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, then yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook. It’s perfect for shaping your trees and creating a firm base for the trunk.

Single Crochet Increase: For this Christmas tree, you’ll be working increases (like 2sc in one stitch) to make the tree grow wider as you go. You'll get the hang of it as you go along!

How to Work a Single Crochet Increase

Start with your regular single crochet. Insert your hook into the stitch where you want to make the increase (just like you would for a regular single crochet). Yarn over, pull up a loop, and yarn over again to complete the single crochet. That’s your first stitch.
Work a second single crochet in the same stitch. Instead of moving to the next stitch, you’ll work a second single crochet into the exact same stitch where you just made your first single crochet. Insert your hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over again, and pull through the two loops on your hook.

Tips for Maintaining Consistent Tension

A good way to keep your tension consistent is to take your time, relax, and focus on making each stitch feel comfortable. If you notice your tension changing, try loosening your grip or working a bit slower.

Troubleshooting Common Stitch Issues

Troubleshooting Common Stitch Issues

Too tight? Relax your hands and try using a larger hook to help loosen up your stitches.

Too loose? Try tightening your grip or switching to a smaller hook.
Missing stitches? Double-check the stitch count at the end of each row. It’s easy to miss one when you’re working with lots of increases.

Need more information to get started? This should help: A Beginner's Guide to Crochet: Starting Your Journey to a More Relaxed You

Step-by-Step Christmas Tree Garland Pattern

Alright, let’s start making those cute little trees!

Starting the Tree:

Row 1:

Make a slipknot.
Create two chain stitches
Work 2 single crochet into the second chain from your hook (this would be the first chain you made).
Turn work around.

Row 2:

Chain 1 (doesn’t count as a stitch)
Work 1 single crochet into the first stitch.
Work 2 single crochet into the next stitch (this is your increase).
Turn your work around.

Row 3:

Chain 1 (doesn’t count as a stitch)
Work 1 single crochet into each stitch until you reach the last stitch.
Work 2 single crochet into the last stitch (this is your increase).
Turn your work around

Row 4 - 13:

Chain 1 (doesn’t count as a stitch)
Work 1 single crochet into each stitch until you reach the last stitch.
Work 2 single crochet into the last stitch (this is your increase). Your stitch count will increase by 1 for each row you work.
Once your triangle tree shape is complete, fasten off by cutting the yarn and pulling it through the loop.
Weave in ends. Use a tapestry needle to weave in any loose yarn ends securely.

Tree Trunk Instructions

Place Stitch Markers:

Count 5 stitches from the beginning of the row and place a stitch marker in the 5th stitch.
Count 5 stitches from the end of the row and place a second stitch marker. These markers will define the width of the tree trunk.

Row 1:

Starting from the stitch immediately after the first stitch marker (this will be the 6th stitch from the beginning), work a single crochet into each stitch until you reach the second stitch marker.
Turn your work around to start the next row.

Row 2:

Chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch).
Turn your work around to start the next row.

Row 3:

Chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch).
Work 1 single crochet into each stitch until you reach the second stitch marker.

Finish Off:

Fasten off by cutting the yarn, then pull the tail through the loop on your hook.
Weave in ends. Use a tapestry needle to weave in any loose yarn ends securely.

Christmas Tree Garland Chain

When you’ve made enough trees, it’s time to bring them all together and turn them into a garland.

Instructions:

Make a slipknot.

Create 50 chain stitches
Work 1 single crochet into the top stich of the first tree.
Chain 20 stitches
Work 1 single crochet into the top of the second tree.
Continue until you have connect all your trees.
Chain 50 after the last tree

Fasten off by cutting the yarn, then pull the tail through the loop on your hook.

Weave in ends. Use a tapestry needle to weave in any loose yarn ends securely.

More on the topic: 50 Last Minute Crochet Gift Ideas & Free Patterns

How to Block Your Tree Garland Using Steam

Blocking is an important step to ensure your crochet tree garland holds its shape and looks neat and crisp. Here's how you can block your garland by pinning it down on an ironing board and using the steam from an iron:

Materials Needed:

Ironing board
T-pins or regular sewing pins
Steam iron (do not use dry heat)
A clean cloth (optional, for extra protection)

Lay Out and pin the Garland

Gently stretch your garland across the ironing board, arranging it in the shape you want. Make sure the trees are spaced evenly and that the garland is as straight as possible.

Using T-pins or regular sewing pins, carefully pin down each tree along the edges. Insert the pins into the edges of the trees (not directly into the stitches) to hold them in place. Make sure the trees are evenly spaced and aligned.

Steam Garland

Make sure your iron is set to steam. You don’t want the iron to touch the yarn directly, so avoid using dry heat.
The steam will help relax the fibers and set the shape without causing damage.

Hold the steam iron a few inches above the garland and use short bursts of steam to gently mist the yarn.
Keep the iron moving, and do not let it touch the yarn to prevent it from becoming too hot or melting.
Focus on areas that need extra shaping, like the tips of the trees or any sections that feel misshapen.

Let it Set

Once you’ve steamed the entire garland, leave it pinned down to cool and set for about 20-30 minutes.
This allows the yarn to dry and hold the shape you’ve created.

After the garland has cooled, gently remove the pins and check the shape of your trees. They should now hold their crisp, blocked shape. If you find any areas that need a little more attention, you can repeat the steaming process.

Finishing Touches

Once all the trees are connected, make sure you weave in any loose yarn ends. If you're adding any embellishments like mini ornaments or bells, now’s the time to do it! You can sew small pieces of ribbon or tiny buttons onto the tree.

Color Combination Ideas

You can make a colorful garland by alternating between different yarn colors for each tree. Think of a rainbow of trees, or maybe a red, green, and gold theme to keep things traditional.

You could also mix in metallic or sparkly yarn for a little extra holiday magic. Imagine a few trees in silver or gold yarn, which would look beautiful on a white mantel or against a dark background

For a textured look, try adding some yarn with sparkle, like a thread of metallic silver or gold, to the tips of your trees. You can create a frosty effect by crocheting with a white, sparkly yarn to add snow-like accents to the branches. Another fun technique is using a fluffy or fuzzy yarn to give your trees a soft, snow-covered appearance.

Tips for different sizes

For mini trees, work fewer rows—maybe only 4-5. Keep your increases tight, and use thinner yarn for a delicate, tiny effect. For larger trees, use thicker yarn with a larger hook size.

Care and Storage Instructions

Once your garland is complete and looking fabulous, it’s important to take good care of it so you can enjoy it for years to come. Here are a few tips to make sure your holiday decor stays in top shape:

Proper Cleaning Methods

To clean your garland, I recommend spot cleaning by gently dabbing any dirty areas with a damp cloth. If you need to wash the whole thing (which can happen after a few seasons of dusting and decorating), hand wash it in cold water using a mild detergent. Be sure to lay it flat to dry to avoid any stretching or misshaping. You can also add a bit of fabric softener to keep the yarn soft and plush.

Tips for Maintaining Shape

If your garland starts to lose its shape over time, simply re-block it by following the same method mentioned above. If any individual trees have started to sag, you can gently pull them back into place and secure them with a little extra yarn or stitching.

There you have it—a gorgeous, customizable Christmas tree garland!

This crochet project is a perfect way to spend time crafting for the holidays. It’s easy enough for beginners but offers plenty of room for creativity for experienced crocheters too.

So, how are you planning to decorate your garland? Will you add mini ornaments, or maybe a little sparkle?

Remember, the joy of crochet is in the process - each stitch adds personality to your creation.

Why not make a few extra garlands as heartfelt holiday gifts

The possibilities are endless—just don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the process?

Happy crocheting!

How to Crochet a Christmas Tree Garland: Easy DIY Holiday Decorations

Materials Needed for Your Christmas Tree Garland