This tutorial is written in UK terms. It’s a fairly simple pattern (I think!) but please feel free to get in touch if there are parts that don’t make sense!
Abbreviations: dc (double crochet), ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch).
You will need:
- Green and brown DK yarn (I used Stylecraft Special DK in Meadow and either Walnut or Dark Brown – I lost the band!)
- A 3.5mm hook
- A small amount of toy stuffing
- A pair of scissors and a needle
Foundation row: Using the green yarn, ch2. Turn and work 2dc into the second chain from hook. Ch1 and turn.
Row 1: 1dc in first dc, 2dc in last dc. Ch1 and turn.
Row 2: 1dc in first 2 stitches, 2dc in last dc. Ch1 and turn.
Row 3 and following rows: 1dc in each stitch to end, 2dc in last dc. Ch1 and turn.
Continue working until your triangle is the size you want it to be. My final row was 16 stitches long (not including the turning chain). Fasten off and cut yarn.
Now make another triangle in exactly the same way!
Put the two triangles together, making sure that the finished ends are lined up (this makes it easier to join the sides together as the stitches will line up perfectly).
Join the yarn at the bottom corner with the fastened off ends.
Work 1dc in each stitch along the side.
When you get to the top, slip stitch into the stitch by the starting knot. Chain 25 then slip stitch into the same stitch as before then carry on with dc stitches down the other side. The ch25 will be your hanging loop. Make it as long or short as you like! If you don’t want a hanging loop at all, slip stitch, ch2, slip stitch and carry on with pattern.
When you get to the bottom corner, work dc, ch1, dc in corner stitch.
At this point, add a small amount of stuffing.
Now sew in the fastened off ends. I sewed them through the side seam, then along a row at the back and left the ends inside the tree to add to the padding.
Now carry on stitching up the bottom edge, working 1dc into each stitch until you get to the corner. Work 1dc, 1ch, 1dc into the final corner stitch, fasten off and sew in the end.
If your stuffing looks a little uneven, use your crochet hook to pull it into place.
Well done – you’ve finished the main part of the tree! Now all you need to do is add the trunk…
Find the middle stitch on the bottom edge of your tree.
If you have an odd number of stitches you’ll work the trunk into the middle stitch plus three stitches on either side (seven stitches in all). If you have an even number you won’t have a stitch that’s exactly in the middle, so you’ll just work six stitches. Clear as mud?! Of course, if you want your trunk to be wider or narrower you can always adjust the number of stitches accordingly. Anyway, moving on…
My trunk is starting here. Pull the brown yarn through the stitch and ch1 (this counts as your first stitch). 1dc in the next 6 stitches, working over the end of your yarn as you go. At the end of the row, ch1 and turn.
Work 1dc in each stitch back along the row. Keep working rows until your trunk is twice as long as you want it to be. Mine is 6 rows long. Keep counting to make sure you always have the same number of stitches as the first row!
Now, keeping your hook in the final stitch of your trunk, turn your tree. The trunk is folded in half to make it look chunkier. See where the needle is? You’re going to work a slip stitch behind this stitch.
Put the hook behind the stitch from right to left, yarn over and draw the loop underneath the stitch and through the loop on the hook.
Now insert your hook through the next stitch on your trunk and behind the next stitch at the base of the tree. Yarn over and draw your yarn behind the green stitch, through the brown stitch and through the loop on your hook.
Repeat until all the stitches at the end of the trunk are attached to the base of the tree. Fasten off and sew in the ends.
Ta-dah! You made a Christmas tree!
Now comes the fun part – decorating! I used buttons (stuck on with a glue gun) but you could use sequins, pom poms, pipe cleaners (the glittery ones would make great looking ‘tinsel’), old earrings – or just about anything else you can think of!
I’d love to see your trees! Tag me on Instagram (@goslingandplumb) or share a photo to my Facebook page (facebook.com/goslingandplumb). I look forward to seeing your fabulous creations!