Let's Crochet A Christmas Tree

 

About 9 years ago, I mentioned to someone that I wanted to crochet a Christmas Tree. She said she had the perfect pattern, and she would email it to me.  As it turned out, the pattern she sent was from an unknown source. Someone had emailed it to her, and someone else had emailed it to that other person, through quite a few emails.  I have wanted to share this pattern for years, and finally thought to ask my friend, Kim Guzman, how I could go about doing it. I haven't ever done what the pattern I received said, and I changed a bunch of things, so Kim said I should be okay. I am not claiming this is my original pattern, but it is my own interpretation of the pattern...the original pattern calls for plaster of Paris, and a tuna can, and rebar, and washers! Not exactly things I think of grabbing when I grab my yarn!

Materials:

1 Skein of Worsted Weight Yarn...I use the Red Heart Super Saver...in your choice of color. I chose Green for the pictures, but I have made this tree in several "odd" colors.

H Hook

Yarn needle

The tree is worked from the top down. This allows you to make it as small or as large as you would like.  I have found 3 sections works nicely, for a child's tree. I prefer 4 or 5 sections for a table tree, and I have made a tree that was 7 sections. They tend to get unwieldy after 5 sections, and I am thinking that is why the original pattern had rebar and a base, to reinforce it.

Regardless of how many sections you choose to make, every section has the same Chain and Row 1. You can begin your circle with your favorite circle starting method. I choose to just do the chain 4, since it doesn't have to be a closed hole, and you won't ever see it, once you have built your tree. I will give you a stitch count for each row of each tier, but keep in mind that is a guide. If it says you need 150 stitches on a row, don't fret if you end up with 145 or even 160. stitch count is not set in stone here, and your tree will look fine.  I will also tell you to turn at the end of each row. This is not required. I have done trees with turns, trees without turns, and a few where both happened. it DOES look different, so this might be something you experiment with and decide what you like.

Tree Top Tier

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Your chain 2 will count as your first stitch from here on. Add 4 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 5. 5 DC in each SC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (50 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Add 2 more DC in that first stitch. 3 DC in each DC around circle. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off. (150 DC)

Second Tier: Remember, this is the second tier from the top.

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Add 1 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 2 DC. 2 DC in each SC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (20 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Add 2 more DC to the first stitch, for a total of 3 DC. 3 DC in each DC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (60 DC)

Row 4: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 3. Fasten off. (180 DC)

Third Tier:  Remember this is the 3rd tier from the top, working down.

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Add 1 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 2 DC. 2 DC in each stitch around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (20 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (40 DC)

Row 4: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (60 DC)

Row 5: Chain 2 and turn. Add 2 more DC to the first stitch for a total of 3 DC. 3 DC in each DC around circle. Join with a slip stitch. Fasten off. (180 DC)

Fourth Tier: Remember this is the fourth tier from the top working down.

Row 1: Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch, to form a circle. 10 SC into your circle and join with a slip stitch.  (10 SC)

Row 2: Chain 2 and turn. Add 1 more DC to that first stitch, for a total of 2 DC. 2 DC in each stitch around circle. Join with a slip stitch. (20 DC)

Row 3: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (40 DC)

Row 4: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (80 DC)

Row 5: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. (160 DC)

Row 6: Chain 2 and turn. Repeat row 2. Fasten off. (320 DC)

To do additional tiers, repeat the fourth tier, with an additional row for each tier. For example, if you do five tiers, your fifth tier will have seven rows, six tiers will have eight rows and so on. 

Tree assembly: 

This isn't going to be easy.  The way the tiers curl up makes it difficult to get them attached and looking nice without flattening out your tree. Be patient! 

Start with Tier 4 or your bottom tier. Center the next tier up, and stitch together with your yarn needle, being careful not to flatten your tree too much. Add the next tier up and repeat, stitching together until you get to the treetop section. Sewing this section on can be a real pain in the neck, since it doesn't lie flat at all. Keep trying until your tree is sewn together securely and to your liking.

***I'll be adding a video to this post, to help explain assembly, either today or tomorrow. I will also be adding decoration ideas.