Christmas Tree Plush Crochet Tutorial / Cute Amigurumi

🎄 Prefer watching? If you learn better by video, you can find the full step-by-step video tutorial embedded at the bottom of this article!

Introduction to this Festive Project

There is truly nothing quite like the magical feeling of picking up your favorite crochet hook as the weather turns chilly and the holiday season approaches. Holiday crafting brings a special kind of warmth to our homes, allowing us to pour love, cheer, and cozy vibes into every stitch. Whether you are decking your own halls or preparing handcrafted gifts for family and friends, festive crochet projects are guaranteed to lift your spirits.

In this delightful tutorial created by Wonder Crochet, we are diving into the world of velvet-soft, squishy holiday decor with the Cute Christmas Tree Plush! This project combines the beloved charm of amigurumi with the trend of super bulky, ultra-plush chenille yarns. The result is an irresistible, huggable Christmas tree pillow that looks right at home on your couch, bed, or mantel piece throughout the holiday season.

What makes this pattern an absolute standout for crocheters of all skill levels is its approachable design and quick completion time. If you have mastered basic single crochet stitches along with standard increases and decreases, you have all the tools needed to create this stunning piece. Let us gather our materials, settle into a cozy spot with a warm drink, and bring this adorable Christmas tree to life!

Materials & Tools You Will Need

Before pulling your yarn from the stash, make sure you have gathered all the necessary materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience.

Premier Parfait Chunky Yarn in Key Lime: This vibrant, plush chenille yarn serves as the primary body color for your gorgeous evergreen tree structure.
Premier Parfait Chunky Yarn in Teddy Bear: A rich, warm brown plush yarn used to craft the sturdy trunk base at the bottom of the tree.
Premier Parfait Chunky Yarn in Sunshine: A bright yellow plush yarn perfect for stitching the adorable star topping your Christmas tree.
Premier Parfait Glitz Yarn in Red: A sparkling, festive metallic-accented chenille yarn used for wrapping the garland and stitching delicate holiday details.
5.0 mm Crochet Hook (Size H-8): An ideal hook size for working with super bulky plush yarn, keeping your stitches tight enough to hold fiberfill securely.
Polyfill Fiberfill Stuffing: Premium polyester fiberfill stuffing to give your plush tree its bouncy, huggable structure and firm shape.
Yarn Needle / Tapestry Needle: A blunted large-eye needle designed for sewing bulky yarn pieces together and weaving in ends cleanly.
Stitch Markers: Essential tools for marking the beginning of continuous spiral rounds so you never lose track of your stitch counts.
Sharp Craft Scissors: Necessary for snipping plush yarn cleanly without fraying the inner fibers during finishing.
Optional Safety Eyes & Black Embroidery Thread: If you want to transform your classic holiday plush into a sweet kawaii amigurumi character!

Crochet Abbreviations & Stitches Used

Ch (Chain): Wrap the yarn over your hook and pull it through the loop on your hook to create a foundation loop.
Sl St (Slip Stitch): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, and pull directly through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
Sc (Single Crochet): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops on hook.
Inc (Single Crochet Increase): Work two single crochet stitches into the exact same stitch to expand your stitch count.
Dec / Inv Dec (Invisible Decrease): Insert hook into front loops of two adjacent stitches, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, and complete as single crochet.
Hdc (Half Double Crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through all three loops on hook.
Dc (Double Crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
BLO (Back Loop Only): Working your stitch exclusively through the back loop of the designated stitch rather than both loops.
FLO (Front Loop Only): Working your stitch exclusively through the front loop of the designated stitch to create ridges or decorative edges.
MR (Magic Ring): A adjustable yarn loop technique used to start seamless continuous rounds without leaving a hole in the center.

Step-by-Step Amigurumi & Crochet Instructions

This plush Christmas tree is constructed in several distinct pieces, making it an easy and modular project to work on. You will begin by constructing the main tree body from the top point downward into a wide cone, followed by the tree trunk, the festive star topper, and decorative garland flourishes.

Part 1 — Base & Main Tree Body

The body of the tree is worked in continuous spiral rounds using Premier Parfait Chunky yarn in Key Lime. Do not join rounds unless specifically instructed.

Round 1: Start by making a Magic Ring. Work 4 single crochet (sc) stitches into the ring. Pull tight, but gently, to avoid snapping chenille yarn. (4 sts)
Round 2: Work [1 sc in the first stitch, 1 increase (inc) in the next stitch] repeated 2 times total around the ring. (6 sts)
Round 3: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around without increasing. (6 sts)
Round 4: Work [1 sc, 1 inc] repeated 3 times around. (9 sts)
Round 5: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (9 sts)
Round 6: Work [2 sc, 1 inc] repeated 3 times around. (12 sts)
Round 7: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 8: Work [3 sc, 1 inc] repeated 3 times around. (15 sts)
Round 9: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (15 sts)
Round 10: Work [4 sc, 1 inc] repeated 3 times around. (18 sts)
Round 11: Work [2 sc, 1 inc] repeated 6 times around to begin widening the tree base. (24 sts)
Round 12: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (24 sts)
Round 13: Work [3 sc, 1 inc] repeated 6 times around. (30 sts)
Round 14: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (30 sts)
Round 15: Work [4 sc, 1 inc] repeated 6 times around. (36 sts)
Round 16: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (36 sts)
Round 17: Work [5 sc, 1 inc] repeated 6 times around. (42 sts)
Round 18: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (42 sts)
Round 19: Work [6 sc, 1 inc] repeated 6 times around. (48 sts)
Round 20: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. (48 sts)
Round 21: Switch to Back Loop Only (BLO) for this round. Work [6 sc, 1 invisible decrease (dec)] repeated 6 times around to create the bottom corner edge. (42 sts)
Round 22: Working through both loops again, work [5 sc, 1 dec] repeated 6 times around. Pause here to firmly stuff the top half of your tree with fiberfill. (36 sts)
Round 23: Work [4 sc, 1 dec] repeated 6 times around. (30 sts)
Round 24: Work [3 sc, 1 dec] repeated 6 times around. Continue adding stuffing gradually, keeping the bottom flat. (24 sts)
Round 25: Work [2 sc, 1 dec] repeated 6 times around. (18 sts)
Round 26: Work [1 sc, 1 dec] repeated 6 times around. (12 sts)
Round 27: Work 6 invisible decreases continuously around. (6 sts) Fasten off, leaving a 10-inch yarn tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle, weave through front loops of remaining 6 stitches, pull tightly closed, and weave in end.

Part 2 — Tree Trunk & Top Star

The tree trunk provides a sturdy, flat base allowing your plush tree to sit upright independently on flat surfaces.

Trunk Round 1: Using Premier Parfait Chunky yarn in Teddy Bear brown, create a Magic Ring and work 6 single crochets into the center. (6 sts)
Trunk Round 2: Work 1 increase into every stitch around. (12 sts)
Trunk Round 3: Work [1 sc, 1 inc] repeated 6 times around. (18 sts)
Trunk Round 4: Work in Back Loop Only (BLO) for this round. Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around to create a sharp perpendicular ridge. (18 sts)
Trunk Rounds 5–7: Working through both loops again, work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 3 complete rounds. (18 sts)
Trunk Finish: Slip stitch into the next stitch to level the round. Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail (approx. 14 inches) for sewing onto the bottom of the tree body. Stuff the trunk moderately with fiberfill.
Star Round 1: Using Premier Parfait Chunky yarn in Sunshine yellow, start with a Magic Ring. Work [Ch 2, 1 dc, 1 hdc, sl st into MR] 5 times into the ring to create a 5-pointed star.
Star Finish: Gently pull the magic ring closed until the center disappears. Slip stitch to join to the base of the first point. Fasten off with a long tail for secure assembly.

Part 3 — Garland, Festive Ornaments & Final Assembly

Now comes the most exciting phase—bringing all individual crochet elements together to complete your festive holiday plushie!

Attaching Trunk to Base: Center the stuffed brown trunk on the bottom flat surface of the green tree body. Use your tapestry needle and the long brown tail to whip-stitch the top open edge of the trunk securely to the bottom stitches of the tree. Ensure stuffing is distributed evenly so the trunk sits level.
Attaching Top Star: Position the yellow star directly over the apex point of the Christmas tree. Using the yellow yarn tail, sew through the central core and points of the star to anchor it firmly to the peak of the tree.
Adding Festive Sparkling Garland: Attach Premier Parfait Glitz yarn in Red to a tapestry needle. Anchor the yarn near the top of the tree under the star, then wind the shiny red yarn spiraling downward around the body of the tree. Secure it with subtle anchor stitches into the tree body every few inches to keep the garland taut and perfectly positioned.
Optional Kawaii Facial Features: If you wish to add a sweet face, insert 10mm safety eyes between Rounds 13 and 14, spaced about 5 stitches apart (before closing the base). Embroire a delicate “v” shape smile using black embroidery thread right between the eyes.
Final Touches: Give your tree plush a gentle squeeze to shape the fiberfill into a perfectly symmetrical, upright cone. Tuck away all loose yarn tails inside the plush body using your tapestry needle.

Customization & Color Variation Ideas

One of the absolute best parts of handmade crochet decor is the endless room for creative personal touches. While classic evergreen green and bright red garland offer a timeless aesthetic, exploring unique color combinations can make your creations truly unique!

Consider making a pastel holiday collection using candy pink, mint green, or soft lilac yarns topped with white sparkle garland. A snowy winter wonderland edition made in pure winter white yarn with silver metallic accents offers an elegant, modern decor vibe for contemporary living rooms.

You can also experiment with functional variations. By downsizing hook size and using standard worsted weight cotton yarn, this exact pattern transforms into an adorable pocket-sized Christmas ornament or keychain! Alternatively, scaling up to super bulky blanket yarn with an 8mm or 10mm hook results in an oversized, squishy floor pillow that kids and pets will adore during storytime by the fire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What type of yarn works best for this Christmas tree plush tutorial?

Super bulky chenille or velvet yarns like Premier Parfait Chunky or Sweet Snuggles yield the absolute best results for this plushie pattern. They produce a velvety soft texture, hide stitch gaps remarkably well, and create a gorgeous plush pillow look quickly. However, standard worsted weight acrylic yarn works fantastic too if you prefer smaller, classic structured amigurumi style!

2. How do I prevent chenille yarn from breaking when pulling the Magic Ring closed?

Chenille yarns can sometimes snap or shed fibers if pulled too harshly when closing a magic ring. To avoid this, pull the yarn tail very slowly and steadily while guiding the stitches gently along the core thread with your fingers. Alternatively, you can use the chain-2 method: chain 2, then work your Round 1 single crochets directly into the first chain stitch.

3. Why are my plush stitches leaving gaps where fiberfill stuffing shows through?

Visible stuffing is usually caused by using a crochet hook that is too large for your yarn or maintaining loose stitch tension. When making plush amigurumi, always drop down 1 to 2 hook sizes compared to what the yarn label recommends. Switching to the yarn-under single crochet technique (rather than yarn-over) also creates significantly tighter, denser stitches that completely contain fiberfill.

4. How do I make sure my tree trunk stays flat so the plush stands up on its own?

Achieving a flat trunk requires proper stitch work and balanced stuffing. Round 4 of the trunk pattern uses Back Loop Only (BLO) stitches, which forms a sharp, 90-degree ridge that creates a flat base edge. Additionally, avoid over-stuffing the trunk center so it does not bow downward; insert just enough fiberfill to give it sturdy vertical wall support.

5. Can I make this Christmas tree pillow without sewing individual pieces together?

While this tutorial breaks the project into main body, trunk, and star pieces for maximum structure and clean shaping, you can make the trunk seamlessly continuous! Simply transition yarn colors to Teddy Bear brown in Round 21, working the base inward, and then work down into the trunk structure directly from the bottom center.

6. What size safety eyes should I use if I want to make a cute face on my tree?

For a plush tree made in Premier Parfait Chunky yarn with a 5mm hook, 10mm to 12mm safety eyes provide the most adorable proportion. Position them roughly halfway down the tree (around Rounds 13–15), spaced approximately 5 to 6 stitches apart. Always secure safety washers firmly inside the tree body before completing the bottom decreases!

7. How much yarn will I need to finish one complete plush tree pillow?

You will need less than one full skein of Premier Parfait Chunky in Key Lime (approx. 80-100 yards) for the main tree body. The trunk (Teddy Bear) and star (Sunshine) require only small scrap amounts (around 10-15 yards each). The red Glitz garland uses under 10 yards, making this a wonderfully budget-friendly and yarn-stash-friendly holiday project!

8. How do I clean and care for my chenille crochet amigurumi?

Plush chenille amigurumi items should ideally be spot-cleaned using a damp cloth and mild soap to protect fiber softness and structural integrity. If deep cleaning is required, place the plushie inside a mesh laundry bag, machine wash on the gentle cycle in cold water, and air dry completely flat away from direct heat sources.

9. What is the best way to attach the garland smoothly so it does not slide off?

When wrapping the Premier Parfait Glitz red garland spiraling down the tree, secure it periodically using invisible tacking stitches. Thread a tapestry needle with matching red yarn and catch a single loop of the tree body beneath the garland every 2 to 3 inches. This anchors the strand permanently in place, preventing shifting when handled.

10. Can I sell finished plush trees made from this pattern at craft fairs?

Yes! Crafters are generally free to sell finished physical items made from community patterns like this tutorial by Wonder Crochet. They make wildly popular items at winter holiday craft fairs, holiday markets, and online handmade shops. Be sure to credit the original designer for the pattern concept whenever selling your gorgeous creations!

Watch the Full Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Ready to stitch along in real-time? Watch the full step-by-step video tutorial below, grab your favorite plush yarn, and let us make this magical holiday project together!