This Crochet Christmas Toys Pattern makes a set of three old-fashioned toys: a little elf doll in a pointed hat, a candy-stripe ball, and a toy drum with two drumsticks. They are small, soft, and quick to make, and they look like they came straight out of Santa’s workshop. Put them under the tree, in a stocking, or in a basket by the fireplace.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: Every piece is worked in continuous rounds and then sewn together or finished with simple embroidery. The elf is made in separate parts. The drum is worked in one piece with no sewing.
Estimated size: Elf about 16 cm (6.25 in) tall with the hat, ball about 8 cm (3 in) across, drum about 6 cm (2.5 in) wide and tall, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and embroidery to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in red, about 40 g (hat, ball, drum, leg stripes).
- White, about 25 g (stripes, brim, pom-poms, drum details).
- Green, about 20 g (elf tunic).
- Peach or light skin tone, about 15 g (elf head, hands, and ears).
- A little yellow, black yarn or embroidery thread, and pink thread for the face and details.
- A 2.75 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
- Optional: a small amount of rice or poly pellets in the ball for weight (only if the toy is not for a baby).
Embroider all faces and details, and sew every piece on very firmly, if any of these toys are for a baby or young child. Do not add bells or beads.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| BLO | back loop only |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces instead of large clumps. When you change color, switch on the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the previous round, and carry the unused yarn loosely inside the toy. Do not carry it across more than a few stitches. For clean stripes, work each color change at the marker.
1. Little Elf Doll
Head (peach)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–12: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 6 rounds]
Insert the eyes now if you are using safety eyes, between Rounds 9 and 10, with about 7 stitches between them. Otherwise embroider them later.
Round 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 15: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Stuff the head firmly.
Round 16: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 17: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail, close the hole, and hide the end.
Body (green)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Rounds 6–12: Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 7 rounds]
Round 13: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 14: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly and flatten the bottom slightly so the doll sits. Leave the neck open for sewing.
Legs (make 2, striped red and white)
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–14: Sc around, changing color every 2 rounds (Rounds 3–4 red, Rounds 5–6 white, and so on). [9 per round; 12 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled.
Arms (make 2)
Round 1: With peach, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. Change to green on the final yarn-over of the last stitch. [9]
Rounds 4–9: Sc around in green. [9 per round; 6 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly.
Ears (make 2, peach)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 2. [6]
Round 3: Sc around. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and pinch the base before sewing.
Hat (red and white)
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Rounds 2–3: Sc around. [6 per round]
Round 4: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 5: Sc around. [12]
Round 6: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 7: Sc around. [18]
Round 8: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 9: Sc around. [24]
Round 10: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 11: Sc around. [30]
Round 12: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 13: Sc around. Change to white on the final yarn-over of the last stitch. [36]
Rounds 14–15: With white, sc around. [36 per round]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Leave the hat unstuffed.
Pom-pom (white)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. [12]
Round 4: Dec × 6. [6]
Stuff lightly, fasten off, close the hole, and sew to the tip of the hat.
Elf Assembly
- Head to body: Pin the head over the neck opening of the body and sew around with small, strong stitches.
- Ears: Sew the ears to the sides of the head at Rounds 9–11, pointing slightly upward.
- Legs: Sew the legs to the bottom of the body, about 3 stitches apart, with the stripes facing out.
- Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body just below the neck, angled slightly forward.
- Face: Embroider two black eyes (if not using safety eyes) with small satin stitches. Add a tiny smile in black and two pink cheeks.
- Hat: Place the hat on the head with the white brim just above the eyes. Sew it all around with small white stitches. Fold the tip to one side and add a red tack stitch at the fold if needed.
2. Candy-Stripe Ball
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6, changing to white at the end of the round. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6, changing to red at the end of the round. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–12: Sc in every stitch, changing color every 2 rounds (Rounds 7–8 white, Rounds 9–10 red, Rounds 11–12 white). [36 per round; 6 rounds]
Round 13: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 14: (3 sc, dec) × 6, changing to red. [24]
Round 15: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Stuff the ball very firmly now.
Round 16: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 17: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, close the hole, and hide the end. Roll the ball between your palms to make it perfectly round.
3. Toy Drum with Drumsticks
Drum
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: Sc in the back loops only. [30]
Rounds 7–12: Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 6 rounds]
Round 13: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Round 14: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Stuff the drum firmly so the sides stay straight.
Round 15: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 16: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, close the hole, and hide the end.
Details:
- With white yarn, work a round of sl st in the front loops left by Round 6 to make a neat white rim around the top. Work a second round of sl st in the front loops of Round 12 for the bottom rim.
- On the red side, embroider a zigzag of white yarn up and down between the rims, with 10 points around the drum, to look like drum cords. Pull each stitch gently so the fabric does not pucker.
- Add a small yellow star in the center of the top face, using four straight stitches crossed in the middle.
Drumsticks (make 2, white with a red tip)
Round 1: With red, 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Sc around. Change to white on the final yarn-over of the last stitch. [6]
Rounds 3–10: Sc around in white. [6 per round; 8 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly with tiny pieces of filling, using the end of your hook to push it down. Sew the open end closed. Cross the sticks on top of the drum and tack them in place with a few small stitches.
Finishing
- Check security: Gently tug each ear, limb, hat, and drumstick to make sure it holds.
- Hide every tail: Pass each end through several stitches before cutting.
- Shape: Massage the stuffing in each piece to even out lumps, and flatten the elf’s feet slightly so it sits.
- Display: Seat the elf on top of the drum with the ball beside it, or give each toy its own place.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The elf’s head tilts. Pin the head on first, check from the front and side, and sew with the closing hole facing the body.
The stripes look uneven. Make each color change on the last stitch of a round, and move the marker before you start the next one. A jog is normal in spiral crochet and will be hidden by the stuffing.
The ball is lumpy. Use small wisps of filling and keep adding as the opening narrows. Roll the ball in your hands to even it out.
The drum sides are wavy. Stuff firmly and work Round 6 in the back loops only, so the edge forms a crisp corner. Block gently by pressing the drum between your palms.
The hat falls off. Use a few more stitches around the brim, or add a small red tack at the back.
FAQ
Can I make the toys bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook, and expect each toy to be about one and a half times larger. Test the elf’s hat on the head before sewing.
Can I turn them into ornaments? Yes. Sew a ch-15 loop to the top of the elf’s hat, the ball, or the drum, and hang them on the tree.
Can I add a girl elf? Yes. Use a red tunic and green hat, and add two short braids of yellow or brown yarn at the sides of the head.
Can I use scrap yarn? Absolutely. These toys use small amounts, so they are ideal for leftovers. Try bright, mixed stripes for the ball.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Crochet Christmas Decorations Pattern
- Crochet Reindeer Pattern
- Grinch Face Crochet Pattern
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