Free & Easy Christmas Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Looking to add a touch of holiday cheer? This Free & Easy Christmas Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern is just what you need! Perfect for beginners and kids, this cute amigurumi elf is a fun diy project for the holidays.
The simple design makes it a quick and enjoyable project that adds a festive aesthetic to your xmas decor. Whether you’re new to crochet or experienced, this little elf is sure to bring smiles! The free crochet pattern is below.
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Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern Information
This adorable elf is not only a fun project but also makes an awesome gift! Handmade decorations like this are loved by all ages and add a unique touch to holiday decor.
This decoration is a hit with kids and grown-ups alike and is a perfect choice for selling at craft fairs. With its cute aesthetic and festive ideas, this crochet elf is sure to be a holiday favorite!
Skill Level
Intermediate. Projects may include involved stitch patterns, color work, and/or shaping.
Crochet Project Materials Needed
- Crochet hook: E-4 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn #4 in a skin color (I used tan), a hair color (I used brown), black, white, red, and pink.
- Fiber fill: Use this as stuffing.
- Polly pellets: Use this as weighted stuffing.
- Sewing pins: Use these to pin the elf parts in place for sewing.
- Tapestry needle: Use this to weave in the ends.
- Stitch marker(s): Optional. You can use these to help keep track of your stitches.
Finished Size
My crochet Elf on the Shelf measures 14.5 inches long and 11.5 inches wide.
Crochet Gauge
6 stitches and 7 rows = 1 inch
Crochet Terms
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet decrease
- ch/chs = chain/chains
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern Notes
- the ch 1 at the beginning of a round never counts as your first stitch
- when you join at the end of the round, you are joining with a slip stitch to the first stitch from that round
- Instructions between two asterisks (*) should be repeated for the remainder of the round.
- Use stitch markers to mark the first stitch of each round.
Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern Instructions
Body for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Use red yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, join (6 stitches)
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 3: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 1 st*, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 4: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 2 sts*, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 5: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 3 sts*, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 6: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 4 sts*, join (36 stitches)
Rnds 7- 15: ch 1, sc in each st, join (36 stitches)
Rnd 16: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 16 sts*, join (34 stitches)
Rnds 17 & 18: ch 1, sc in each st, join (34 stitches)
Rnd 19: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 15 sts*, join (32 stitches)
Rnds 20 & 21: ch 1, sc in each st, join (32 stitches)
Rnd 22: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 14 sts*, join (30 stitches)
Rnds 23 & 24: ch 1, sc in each st, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 25: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 13 sts*, join (28 stitches)
Rnds 26 & 27: ch 1, sc in each st, join (28 stitches)
Rnd 28: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 12 sts*, join (26 stitches)
Rnds 29 & 30: ch 1, sc in each st, join (26 stitches)
Fill the bottom third of the body with poly pellets to add weight, which helps the elf sit on a shelf. Then, fill the rest with fiber fill.
Rnd 31: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 11 sts*, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 32: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 2 sts*, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 33: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 1 st*, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 34: ch 1, *sc2tog* join and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing (6 stitches)
Add more fiber fill and use a tapestry needle to sew the body shut.
Legs for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Use red yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 4 sc, join (4 stitches)
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Rnds 3- 18: ch 1, sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Fill up to round 17 with polly pellets.
Use a tapestry needle and red yarn to sew round 17 shut.
Rnds 19- 30: ch 1, sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Rnd 31: ch 1, sc in each st, join and fasten off leaving a long yarn tail (8 stitches)
Stuff top of leg (rounds 18- 31) lightly with fiber fill.
Use a tapestry needle and your yarn tail to sew the top of the leg shut making a parallel seam line to the seam line in round 17.
Use a tapestry needle and the yarn tails to sew the legs onto the bottom front of the body.
Head for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Yarn: Your choice skin & hair colors
Use skin color yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, join (6 stitches)
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 3: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 1 st*, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 4: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 2 sts*, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 5: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 3 sts*, join (30 stitches)
Rnds 6- 14: ch 1, sc in each st, join (30 stitches)
Switch to hair color yarn.
Rnd 15: ch 1, sc in each st, join (30 stitches)
Rnd 16: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 3 sts*, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 17: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 2 sts*, join (18 stitches)
Rnd 18: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in 1 st*, join (12 stitches)
Stuff with fiber fill.
Rnd 19: ch 1, sc2tog around, join and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing (6 stitches)
Add more fiber fill and use a tapestry needle to sew the head shut. Use sewing pins to pin the head onto the body. Use a tapestry needle and your yarn tail to sew the head onto the body.
Collar for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Use white yarn.
Row 1: ch 22, hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook, hdc in each rem ch, turn (20 stitches)
Row 2: ch 2, 2 hdc in each st, turn (40 stitches)
Row 3: ch 1, [sc, hdc, (in next st you will make a point: tc- ch 2- sl st in 2nd ch from hook- tc), hdc, sc] x 8 times
You will end up with 8 “points”. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the collar onto the body.
Use sewing pins to pin the collar in place. Use a tapestry needle to sew the collar onto the body where the head and body meet.
Arms for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Start with white yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 4 sc, join (4 stitches)
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Rnds 3- 7: ch 1, sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Switch to red yarn.
Rnds 8- 18: ch 1, sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Fill up to round 17 with polly pellets.
Use a tapestry needle and scrap of red yarn to sew round 17 shut.
Rnds 19- 27: ch 1, sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Rnd 28: ch 1, sc 1, sc2tog, sc in 5 rem sts, join (7 stitches)
Rnds 29 & 30: ch 1, sc in each st, join (7 stitches)
Stuff top of arm (rounds 18- 3o) lightly with fiber fill.
Use a tapestry needle and the yarn tail to sew the top of the arm shut making a perpendicular seam line to the seam line in round 17.
Use a tapestry needle to sew the arms to the sides of the body, just below the collar.
Hat for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Start with red yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 4 sc, join (4 stitches)
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in each st, join (8 stitches)
Rnd 4: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 1 st*, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 5: ch 1, sc in each st, join (12 stitches)
Rnd 6: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 2 sts*, join (16 stitches)
Rnd 7: ch 1, sc in each st, join (16 stitches)
Rnd 8: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 3 sts*, join (20 stitches)
Rnd 9: ch 1, sc in each st, join (20 stitches)
Rnd 10: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 4 sts*, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 11: ch 1, sc in each st, join (24 stitches)
Rnd 12: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 5 sts*, join (28 stitches)
Rnd 13: ch 1, sc in each st, join (28 stitches)
Rnd 14: ch 1, *2 sc, sc in 6 sts*, join (32 stitches)
Rnds 15- 17: ch 1, sc in each st, join (32 stitches)
Switch to white yarn.
Rnds 18 & 19: ch 1, sc in each st, join (32 stitches)
Rnd 20: ch 1, sc in each st, join and fasten off leaving a very long tail to sew onto head (32 stitches)
Use sewing pins to pin the hat in place on the head. Then sew the hat to the head.
Eyes for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Begin with black yarn.
Rnd 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc, join (6 stitches)
Switch to white yarn and leave long joining tails in both colors for sewing.
Rnd 2: ch 1, 2 sc, 2 sc, sl st, fasten off leaving a long tail for making the eye sparkle. (4 stitches)
Use sewing pins to pin the eyes in place on the head. Then sew the eyes to the head.
Smile for the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Use pink yarn and a tapestry needle to stitch a smile on the head.
Finishing the Crochet Elf on the Shelf Pattern
Weave in all of the yarn tails.
More Free Crochet Patterns
You may also like my elf hat, Santa Hat, Christmas blanket, Mickey & Minnie ornaments, and Christmas stocking patterns.
Let’s Connect!
I’d love to hear from you. You can find me on social media- Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and my YouTube channel. Until then, happy crocheting!