Crochet Christmas Garland / Tinsel - Free Pattern
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Follow my really easy crochet pattern and video tutorial to make your own sustainable crochet Christmas garland this year that looks just like tinsel.
I love natural Christmas decorations. I really enjoy collecting pine cones, dried berries, leaves and acorns to bring into the home to form a closer connection with nature. Check out my list of natural Christmas decorations that you can make.
This idea is juxtaposed with plastic tinsel that is in nearly every persons home. I knew I had to design a crochet pattern to create a Christmas garland that looks just like tinsel so that we can make a more sustainable option.
Some Facts About Standard Tinsel
Tinsel was invented in 1610 in Germany and was first made using silver. It’s first appearance as a plastic decoration was in 1846! That’s 175 years of plastic tinsel!
Festive Productions, one of the biggest tinsel manufacturers in the world, boasts that at their peak, they produce “as much as 14 million metres of tinsel, enough to wrap around the moon twice with 2 million metres spare! Or, wrap around the world once every two years!” and they are in production all year round!
Tinsel is now made with coated PVC. Some also have glitter which can easily shed causing micro plastics to enter the environment.
It cannot be recycled so they mostly end up in landfill or incineration. The best thing to do is keep using the same tinsel year after year, give it away if you don’t like it anymore or opt for a more sustainable alternative.
The pattern is completely free on this page. However, if you would like to support my work you can buy the AD FREE, downloadable PDF with more photos in my shop.
You can also buy this pattern on
Skill Level: Easy - Intermediate
I have marked this pattern as easy to intermediate only due to the main stitch which is fully explained in the video tutorial. Once you get the hang of it, the rest is easy.
Which Yarn to Use
My sample was made using 100% hemp yarn in lace weight. I love the natural un-dyed look and think that it matches well with my other natural decorations like pine cones and dried berries.
I used 50g / 250 Metres / 273 Yards of 100% Hemp yarn in lace weight but you could use any natural, plant based, lace weight yarn you like.
Some Other Yarn Suggestions
Here are some other sustainable options that I think would work really well.
Lion Brand Linen Cone (100% Linen)
Darn Good Yarn 2-ply Linen (100% Linen - this is sport weight so it will make a larger sized tinsel)
Measurements
Length: 100” / 2.5 meters approx (adjustable)
Width: 2” / 5cm approx
What Else You Will Need
Hook: 2- 2.5mm - Metric
Scissors: For cutting the end
Stitch Markers (optional): 40 stitch markers
Abbreviations
Ch = Chain
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Yo = Yarn Over
Pt = Pull Through
** = Repeat instructions between the asterisks as many times as it states after the x or until the end.
Stitches Used
Ss = Slip Stitch
Insert your hook, yo and pt both loops on the hook (the loop that you went through and the loop already on the hook).
Ls = Loop Stitch
Hold your work so that the working yarn is wrapped over one of your fingers and the finger you are using is lifted to create an upside down V shape. I use my middle finger as it’s easier for me due to how I hold my hook. You can use whichever finger is easier for you.
Start the loop stitch by inserting your hook into the next ch.
Move your hook to the front and right hand side of the first strand of the V shape and hook onto the back strand.
Pull the back strand of yarn over to the front of the first strand and through the first loop on your hook.
You should now have a loop on your finger. Loosen the loop from your finger and move it to the side, out of the way.
Yo and pt both loops left on the hook.
Watch the Video Tutorial
The ad free, downloadable PDF pattern with more helpful photos is available in the shop.
Gauge
26 Single Crochet (U.K. Double Crochet) and 35 rows over 10cm (4”).
Pattern Notes
Stitch Markers: The optional stitch markers are used to make up the foundation chain so that it is easier to make a long foundation chain without losing count. You don’t need to use them if you prefer.
One stitch marker is also used for marking the next chain we will be working in as making the loops tends to tighten the next working chain.
Tension: A tighter tension will tighten the next working chain even more so I would definitely consider using the stitch markers if your tension tends to be tight like mine.
The Pattern
Ch 800.
Keep track of your chains by marking every 20th chain with a stitch marker. This really helped me count them all up at the end really quickly.
Making the tinsel
Ch1. Mark 2nd ch from hook. Make 3 ls into first ch from hook.
*Move marker to next ch (I like to keep the marker in the ch ahead from the one I’m working on so I can keep track of it if it over tightens whilst I work the loops.). Make 3 ls into ch before the marked ch* repeat til end.
As you work, the foundation ch will start to curl, making it tinsel-y.
After you’ve made the last 3 loops, cut your end and make a knot to secure. Here you can either cut the end to the length of the loops so it blends in or you can weave it into the foundation chain to hide it completely.
That’s it! Now you have your own, handmade, sustainable tinsel that you can use every year, knowing that it won’t be damaging the environment at the end of its life cycle.
