Crochet Mini Christmas Wreath Tutorial | Girlybunches

🎄 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 Holiday Project

The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, cozy up on the sofa with a warm cup of tea, and let your creativity shine. There is something truly magical about transforming a simple skein of yarn into a beautiful piece of festive decor. Handmade ornaments bring an unmatched warmth, nostalgia, and personal touch to our homes that store-bought decorations simply cannot replicate.

This adorable mini Christmas wreath design by Girlybunches is a beloved favorite in the crochet community. It is a quick, satisfying project that is perfect for crocheters of all skill levels, from adventurous beginners to seasoned pros. Whether you are looking to bust your yarn stash, create charming gifts for friends and teachers, or deck your own tree with handmade love, this project is for you.

What makes this mini wreath so special is its incredible versatility and sweet, nostalgic aesthetic. It features a sturdy, neat base, a beautifully textured border, and is topped with a classic crochet mini bow that adds the perfect touch of holiday cheer. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through every single step, tip, and trick to ensure your finished wreaths look absolutely flawless.

Materials & Tools You Will Need

Gathering the right supplies is the first step toward a successful crafting session. For this project, you can easily use leftovers from your yarn basket, making it a wonderful stash-buster!

• Yarn: Double Knitting (DK) weight yarn or worsted weight yarn in festive shades. We highly recommend using a rich forest green for the main wreath body, a bright holiday red for the bow, and an optional snowy white or metallic gold for the decorative border.
• Crochet Hook: A 3.5 mm (US E-4) or 4.0 mm (US G-6) hook. Choose a hook size that gives you tight, neat stitches so the inside ring does not peek through your yarn.
• Wreath Core (Optional but Recommended): A 2-inch (approx. 5 cm) plastic curtain ring, a wooden ring, or a thick, sturdy elastic hair band. Crocheting over a solid ring gives your mini wreath a perfect, durable circular shape.
• Tapestry Needle: A blunt-ended yarn needle is essential for weaving in your loose ends and sewing the decorative bow securely to the top of your wreath.
• Scissors: A sharp pair of embroidery scissors for clean cuts when fastening off your yarn.
• Stitch Markers: Extremely helpful for marking the beginning of your rounds, especially if you choose to work in continuous spirals.
• Optional Embellishments: Mini gold bells, tiny pearl beads, or red seed beads to mimic holly berries, and some fine gold metallic embroidery thread for extra holiday sparkle.

Crochet Abbreviations & Stitches Used

To make this pattern easy to follow for everyone, we have provided the instructions using standard US crochet terminology. If you are used to UK terms, please refer to the handy conversion guide below.

• ch (Chain): Yarn over, pull loop through the loop on your hook.
• sl st (Slip Stitch): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
• sc (Single Crochet – UK Double Crochet): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
• dc (Double Crochet – UK Treble Crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through first two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
• mr (Magic Ring / Magic Loop): An adjustable loop used to start crocheting in the round without leaving a hole in the center (only needed if you are not using a plastic ring base).
• st / sts: Stitch or stitches.

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

This tutorial is broken down into three easy-to-follow sections. First, we will create the lush green main body of the wreath, then we will add a gorgeous decorative trim and make the signature mini bow, and finally, we will assemble and block our masterpiece.

Part 1 — Base & Main Body

1. Join your yarn to the ring: Hold your plastic curtain ring (or make a magic loop if not using a physical ring) in your non-dominant hand. Make a slipknot on your crochet hook with your green yarn. Insert your hook through the center of the ring from front to back, yarn over with the working yarn behind the ring, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook to secure the yarn with a single crochet.
2. Cover the ring: Continue to work single crochet (sc) stitches directly over the ring. As you work, make sure to crochet over your yarn tail to lock it in place. Slide your stitches closely together around the ring so that no plastic or wood is visible beneath them.
3. Complete the base round: Work approximately 36 to 40 single crochet stitches around the ring, depending on your tension and the exact size of your ring. Once the ring is completely and densely covered, join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the very first single crochet stitch of the round.
4. Round 2 (Increasing the width): Chain 3 (this counts as your first double crochet stitch). Work one double crochet (dc) into the same stitch as your chain 3. Work 2 double crochets (dc) into each single crochet stitch all the way around the ring. This doubling of the stitches creates a lovely, full, ruffled holiday look. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3. Fasten off your green yarn and weave in your ends securely.

Part 2 — Borders, Trims & Decorative Accents

1. Attach the contrast yarn: To give your wreath a beautiful, snow-kissed or berry-trimmed look, grab your red, white, or gold yarn. Join this new color with a slip stitch to any double crochet stitch around the outer edge of your wreath.
2. Work the decorative shell border: Chain 1. *Single crochet in the first stitch. Skip the next stitch. Work 5 double crochets into the next stitch to create a gorgeous shell (or fan) shape. Skip the next stitch. Repeat from the * all the way around the outer edge of your wreath. This creates a scalloped, festive trim that frames your wreath beautifully. Join with a slip stitch to the initial chain 1, fasten off, and weave in your ends.
3. Crochet the Mini Bow (Step A): Switch to your bright red yarn to make the bow. Leaving a long starting tail, chain 20. Being careful not to twist the chain, join with a slip stitch to the first chain to form a neat circle.
4. Crochet the Mini Bow (Step B): Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet in each chain around (20 stitches total). Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. Repeat this for two more rounds to create a thick, flat band. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of about 12 inches (30 cm) for wrapping and sewing.
5. Assemble and wrap the Bow: Lay the red crochet band flat on your table. Pinch the exact middle of the band tightly to create a classic bow shape. Take the long yarn tail you left behind and wrap it tightly around the pinched center 10 to 12 times. This creates the neat, defined knot in the middle of your bow. Secure the wraps by threading the tail onto your tapestry needle and stitching it through the back of the wraps. Do not cut the remaining yarn, as you will use it to sew the bow to the wreath.

Part 3 — Finishing & Blocking Instructions

1. Attach the bow: Place your mini bow at the top or bottom center of your crochet wreath, right over the seam where you joined your rounds. Using your tapestry needle and the remaining red yarn tail, sew the bow securely to the wreath stitches. Knot it tightly on the back of the wreath.
2. Create a hanging loop: Join a strand of green, red, or gold yarn to the top center of your wreath. Chain 15 to 20 stitches to create a loop of your desired length. Slip stitch back into the starting stitch on the wreath, tie a secure knot, cut your yarn, and weave in the ends.
3. Block for perfection: To make sure your wreath lays completely flat and holds its circular shape perfectly, lightly mist it with water. Lay it flat on a blocking mat or a clean towel, gently patting the scalloped edges into place. Let it dry completely overnight before hanging or gifting.

Styling & Home Decor Display Ideas

Once your mini Christmas wreaths are completed, the styling possibilities are endless! These tiny, lightweight gems can be used to add a touch of handmade elegance to almost any corner of your home during the festive season.

Hang them directly on your Christmas tree branches as lightweight ornaments, or string several of them along a length of rustic baker’s twine to create a gorgeous, vintage-style holiday mantle garland. They also make exquisite, reusable gift-wrapping accents; simply tie one onto your holiday presents with brown kraft paper and twine for a beautiful, rustic aesthetic.

For your holiday dining table, you can lay these wreaths flat and slip your cloth napkins through the center hole to use them as incredibly charming, festive napkin rings. Alternatively, pop a small battery-operated tealight candle inside the center of each wreath to create a safe, warm, and inviting tabletop display that your dinner guests will absolutely adore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best yarn fiber to use for this mini Christmas wreath?

Acrylic and cotton yarns are the absolute best choices for this project. Acrylic yarn is lightweight, affordable, comes in highly saturated holiday colors, and holds its shape exceptionally well. Cotton yarn is also a fantastic choice because it has wonderful stitch definition and a sturdy structure that prevents the wreath from drooping when hung.

Can I make this project if I don’t have plastic curtain rings?

Absolutely! If you do not have plastic or wooden rings, you can easily use a thick, sturdy elastic hair band as your base. Alternatively, you can simply start your project by making a magic ring (magic loop) or chaining 12 to 15 stitches, joining them into a ring, and crocheting your first round of single crochets directly into that yarn loop.

How long does it take to crochet one of these mini wreaths?

This is an incredibly fast project! A single mini wreath, including the decorative scalloped border and the mini bow, takes most crocheters between 20 to 45 minutes to complete. This makes it an ideal project for batch-making lots of gifts in a single evening.

Is this project suitable for absolute beginners?

Yes, this project is highly beginner-friendly. It only uses basic crochet stitches like the single crochet, double crochet, and slip stitch. Working over a plastic ring is actually much easier for beginners than working into chains, as the ring provides a solid structure that is very easy to hold.

My wreath is curling up at the edges. How can I fix this?

If your wreath is curling, it is usually a sign that your stitches are a bit too tight, or you have worked too many double crochets in the second round. To fix this, try switching to a slightly larger hook size, or gently wet-block your finished wreath by pinning it flat on a blocking mat until it is completely dry.

How can I make my mini wreath look extra stiff and sturdy?

If you want your wreaths to be completely rigid so they don’t bend when hanging, you can paint the back of them with a mixture of equal parts white school glue and water. Pin the wreath flat on a piece of wax paper and let it dry completely; it will dry crystal clear and rock-hard!

Can I use a different size hook than the one recommended?

Yes, you can adapt your hook size to match the yarn you have on hand. If you are using a thicker worsted weight yarn, a 4.5 mm or 5.0 mm hook would work beautifully. Just make sure your stitches remain dense enough so the base ring underneath is fully hidden.

How do I wash these wreaths if they get dusty in storage?

To clean your wreaths, gently hand wash them in cool water with a drop of mild wool wash or baby shampoo. Do not wring or twist them. Instead, squeeze the excess water out gently with a towel, reshape them by hand, and lay them flat to air dry completely before storing them away.

Can I sell items made from this pattern at local craft fairs?

Yes! Crafters love selling these at holiday markets because they are quick to make, require very little yarn, and are highly popular impulse buys. Just remember to give design credit to Girlybunches if you sell them online or at your local holiday craft stalls.

How can I customize this pattern to make it unique?

You can easily customize your wreath by threading tiny red beads onto your border yarn before crocheting, sliding a bead into place on every third stitch to look like holly berries. You can also use variegated holiday yarns, add a tiny brass bell to the center of the bow, or sprinkle a tiny bit of fabric glitter on the finished wreath for a magical frosty look.

Watch the Full Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Watch the full step-by-step video tutorial below and follow along at your own pace!