Hello, lovely crocheters! As the holiday season approaches, I always find myself drawn to quick, delightful projects that bring a touch of handmade charm to my home. This Gingerbread Tree Ornament pattern is one of those special finds that I absolutely adore. It’s incredibly satisfying to create a cute, flat ornament that looks just like a gingerbread cookie, ready to be ‘iced’ with your own creative flair!
What I love most about this pattern is its simplicity and versatility. Whether you want to make a classic gingerbread-colored tree or a festive green (or white!) Christmas tree with a brown trunk, the instructions are clear and easy to follow. It’s worked amigurumi-style in a continuous spiral, which means no joining seams – a huge win for a smooth finish! Plus, it uses minimal yarn and works up super fast, making it perfect for last-minute gifts or filling your tree with handmade treasures. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can create these little beauties, and with no sewing required, finishing is a breeze!
Gingerbread Tree Ornament Crochet Pattern
Materials
- E US/3.5mm crochet hook
- Small quantity of worsted weight yarn in a gingerbread shade, or green (or white) and brown
- Yarn needle to weave in ends
- Stitch marker
Finished Size
Approx 3.5″ (9cm) tall. (Your gauge and yarn choice will affect the finished size slightly.)
Yarn Information
Worsted weight yarn in a gingerbread shade (for a gingerbread cookie tree) or green (or white) and brown (for a traditional Christmas tree). Approximately 10 yards of yarn are needed per ornament.
Hook and Tools
- E US/3.5mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- sl st – slip stitch
- Rnd – Round
Pattern Notes
- Do not join at the end of each round; rounds are worked in continuous spirals.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move the marker up as you start each new round.
- This no-sew tree is worked in three sections (Upper, Lower, and Trunk), with one simple color change for different ornament styles.
- For a Gingerbread cookie tree: Work all three sections in a gingerbread shade.
- For a Christmas tree: Work the Upper and Lower sections in green (or white) and the Trunk section in dark brown.
Instructions
Upper Section
Make a magic ring, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring. (4 sts)
Rnd 2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) twice. (6 sts)
Rnd 3: (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (8 sts)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (10 sts)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (12 sts)
Rnd 6: (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 7: (sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (16 sts)
Edge row (Upper Section)
- Flatten your work so the last stitch you worked is at one edge.
- Skipping that edge stitch, sc through both layers of next stitch then mark the stitch you just completed.
- Sc in the front layer only of the next 5 stitches.
- Skipping the next 5 stitches of the back layer, sc through both layers of next st, sl st in front loop of last st (the edge st).
Fasten off, and pull on the remaining loop on the hook until the cut end is drawn through to the top.
Lower Section
Turn your work so you’re looking at the back of the edge row. You will see the 5 skipped stitches along the front layer. Identify the stitch before the first of these stitches – this is where you made the stitch that joined both layers together. (Right-handers: this stitch will be to the right of the row of 5 stitches. Left-handers: this stitch will be to the left of the row of 5 stitches.)
Fasten on by drawing up a loop in that stitch. Do not ch 1.
Tips: Work over the starting tail for the first couple of stitches of Rnd 1. Then, if the first loop you drew up looks too large, pull on the starting tail to draw the V down to the normal size. Mark this V if you need to – this will be the first stitch you work into in the next round.
Rnd 1: sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, turn your work so you can work into the other layer; starting from the stitch after the marked stitch, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st. (12 sts)
Note: From now you’ll be working in a spiral again, starting by working into the first stitch of Rnd 1.
Rnd 2: (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (14 sts)
Rnd 3: (sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (16 sts)
Rnd 4: (sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st) twice. (18 sts)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st) twice. (20 sts)
Rnd 6: sc in next 8 sts. (8 sts, plus 12 unworked). Continue to Edge Row (below).
Edge row (Lower Section)
- The last stitch you worked should be at one edge so you can work the edge row in the same way as you did for the Upper Section. If your hook isn’t at the edge of your flattened tree, sc an extra stitch (or unravel one stitch as needed) to bring your hook to the edge.
- Skipping that edge stitch, sc through both layers of next 3 stitches then mark the stitch you just completed.
- Sc in the front layer only of the next 3 stitches.
- Skipping the next 3 stitches of the back layer, sc through both layers of next 3 sts, sl st in front loop of last st (the edge st).
Fasten off, and pull on the remaining loop on the hook until the cut end is drawn through to the top.
Trunk Section
Note: For a gingerbread tree, continue with the same color of yarn. For a Christmas tree, change to brown for this section.
Turn your work so you’re looking at the back of the edge row and can see the 3 skipped stitches along the front layer. Identify the stitch before the first of these stitches.
Fasten on by drawing up a loop in that stitch. Do not ch 1.
Rnd 1: sc in next 3 sts, turn so you can work into the other layer; starting from the stitch after the marked stitch, sc in next 3 sts. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: sc in next 6 sts. (6 sts)
Rnd 3: sc in next 3 sts. (3 sts, plus 3 unworked). Continue to Edge Row (below).
Edge row (Trunk Section)
- Flatten your work so the last stitch you worked is at one edge.
- Skipping that edge stitch, sc through both layers of next 2 stitches, sl st in front loop of last st.
Fasten off, and pull on the remaining loop on the hook until the cut end is drawn through to the top.
Finishing
Weave in all three yarn ends. When weaving in, make sure not to pull the yarn through too tightly, which can pull in the point of the tree outline and cause it to lose its pointed shaping. If you accidentally pull the yarn too tight, you can gently pull back on the squashed corner to restore its shape.
Embellishments
Now you have a ‘blank canvas’ gingerbread tree, ready to decorate however you wish, just as you would with an edible gingerbread cookie! You can leave your trees plain, keep your embellishments simple, or use your imagination to create all sorts of designs. Consider using beads, embroidery, or fabric paint to add details like “icing” or ornaments. Keep the embellishments in classic white, or match the colors to your seasonal décor.
Olivia’s Tips
This pattern is perfect for using up small yarn scraps, especially if you have different shades of brown, green, or white. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors! I find that using a stitch marker is absolutely essential when working in continuous spirals; it saves so much time and prevents counting errors. For a truly professional finish, make sure to weave in your ends carefully. A tapestry needle works wonders for this. And if you’re making a batch of these for gifts, consider adding a small loop of yarn or ribbon to the top for easy hanging. They make wonderful additions to gift wrapping too!
FAQ
Here are some answers to common questions about this pattern:
- Q: Can I use a different yarn weight?
A: The pattern specifies worsted weight yarn. While you can use a different weight, it will affect the finished size of your ornament. You may also need to adjust your hook size to maintain a tight, amigurumi-style fabric. - Q: How do I make the ornament stand up if I don’t want to hang it?
A: This ornament is designed to be flat, much like a cookie. If you’d like a standing tree, you would need to adapt the pattern significantly, perhaps by crocheting two and stuffing them, or by adding a weighted base. This particular pattern is best for hanging or as an applique. - Q: What are some ideas for embellishing the tree?
A: You can use embroidery floss to stitch “icing” designs, small beads for “ornaments,” or even fabric paint for a frosted look. Consider adding a tiny star button or a sequin to the top! - Q: Is this pattern suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, this pattern is very beginner-friendly! It uses basic stitches like single crochet and relies on working in a continuous spiral, which is a great skill for new crocheters to learn. The clear instructions and minimal finishing make it an ideal first ornament project.