Ho ho ho! Is is the season to be tucking into one of our brilliant free knitted Christmas wreath patterns? We have two special free knitting patterns for Christmas wreaths in this post. Both are very different with unique charm that we hope will help make your Christmas this year and for every year beyond.
Discover this glorious free knitting pattern for a Christmas wreath complete with three festive characters! This knitted wreath was first published in Simply Knitting magazine issue 178 and is designed by Ann Franklin.
It's a great project for beginners, and you get patterns for the character plushies and knitted bauble decorations included as a brilliant added bonus!
If you need any refreshes on the basics of knitting, take a look at our knitting for beginners article.
Free knitted Christmas wreath pattern with characters
Knitted wreath pattern materials
- Rico Design Ricorumi DK (100% cotton, 25g/58m)
Yarn A Ivy (043)
Yarn B Fir (050)
Yarn C Tangerine (026)
Yarn D Red (028)
Yarn E Orange (027)
Yarn F White (001)
Yarn G Wine Red (029)
Yarn H Black (060)
Yarn K Powder (022)
Yarn L Nougat (056)
Yarn M Beige (055) - A pair of 3mm needlesA 25.5cm (10in) wreath frame, inner diameter 18.5cm (7¼in), or a cardboard ring cut out to the same dimensions
- 50cm (20in) of elastic cord
- 35g of toy stuffing
- To see if you can swap in yarn already in your stash, see our yarn weight conversion chart
Knitted wreath pattern tension
24 sts and 32 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3mm needles. To find out more about tension and why it is important, see our guide on knitting tension squares.
Knitted wreath pattern measurements
Knitted wreath diameter will be 26cm (10¼in) The knitted figures should measure 13cm (5in) tall.
Abbreviations
This free knitting pattern for Christmas wreath with characters uses standard UK knitting abbreviations. For a full list, and to learn ho they relate to American terms, see our knitting abbreviations post.
Christmas wreath knitting pattern (with plushie characters)
Cast on 140 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 Knit.
Row 3 Purl.
Join in Yarn B. Do not break off Yarn A.
Row 4 Using Yarn B, *K9, kfb; rep from * to end. [154 sts]
Using Yarn B, knit 3 rows.
Row 8 Using Yarn A, *K10, kfb; rep from * to end. [168 sts]
Using Yarn A and beg with a purl row, work in st st for 3 rows.
Row 12 Using Yarn B *K11, kfb; rep from * to end. [182 sts]
Using Yarn B, knit 3 rows.
Row 16 Using Yarn A *K12, kfb; rep from * to end. [196 sts]
Row 17 Using Yarn A, purl.
Row 18 Using Yarn B *K12, k2tog; rep from * to end. [182 sts]
Using Yarn B, knit 3 rows.
Row 22 Using Yarn A, *K11, k2tog; rep from * to end. [168 sts]
Using Yarn A and beg with a purl row, work in st st for 3 rows.
Row 26 Using Yarn B, *K10, k2tog; rep from * to end. [154 sts]
Using Yarn B, knit 3 rows.
Row 30 Using Yarn A, *K9, k2tog; rep from * to end. [140 sts]
Using Yarn A, beg with a purl row, work in st st for 3 rows.
Cast off all sts using Yarn A.
Large Baubles
(make 9 – 3 each in yarnS C, D and E)
Cast on 8 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn C, D or E (as required).
Row 1 (RS) *Kfb; rep from * to end. [16 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb, K1; rep from * to end. [24 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 5 rows.
Row 9 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [16 sts]
Row 10 Purl.
Row 11 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [8 sts].
B&T.
Small Baubles (make 6)
Cast on 8 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn F.
Row 1 (RS) *Kfb; rep from * to end. [16 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 3 rows.
Row 5 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [8 sts]
B&T.
Bunting Flags (make 8)
Cast on 2 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn D.
Row 1 and every foll alt row Purl.
Row 2 (RS) K1, M1, K1. [3 sts]
Row 4 K1, M1, K1, M1, K1. [5 sts]
Row 6 K1, M1, K3, M1, K1. [7 sts]
Row 8 K1, M1, K5, M1, K1. [9 sts]
Row 10 K1, M1, K7, M1, K1. [11 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 3 rows.
Row 14 K1, ssk, K5, k2tog, K1. [9 sts]
Row 16 K1, ssk, K3, k2tog, K1. [7 sts]
Row 18 K1, ssk, K1, k2tog, K1. [5 sts]
Row 20 K1, sk2po, K1. [3 sts]
Row 22 Sk2po. [1 st]
B&T.
Making Up
Wreath
Join the side seam.
Fold the Wreath in half over the wreath ring and sew the cast-on and cast-off edges together.
Baubles
1 Join the side seam from the B&T stitches, leaving a small section near the cast-on edge to allow for turning and stuffing.
2 Turn the Baubles to the right side and stuff. Close the gap in the side seam, and then sew a running thread through the cast-on sts, pulling this thread up tightly to close the end.
3 Sew the Baubles to the bottom half of the Wreath, staggering the Large Baubles, and sewing them in a sequence of the three colours. Sew the Smaller Baubles randomly between the Larger Baubles.
Bunting
1 Fold 6 Flags over the elastic cord and sew the fronts to the backs.
2 On the RS, attach the elastic cord to one inner edge of the Wreath just above the level of the Baubles. Slide the Flags along the cord until all six are in a row, using image as a guide.
3 Attach the other end of the cord to the same point on the other side of the wreath ring.
4 On the WS, knot the cord to the front line of cord, between pairs of Flags, and then at the end where the beginning of the cord is joined. Make sure this rear length of cord is fairly taut, as the figures will be held in place by this cord.
5 Fold over and oversew the seam of the 2 remaining Flags. Sew both Flags to the wreath ring, next to the Bunting, on either side.
6 Using Yarn B, sew a small loop for hanging the Wreath at the centre-top. The three figures are made to fit inside the Wreath; however, they can also be used separately as Christmas tree decorations.
Snowman
First leg
Cast on 5 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn F.
Row 1 (RS) *Kfb; rep from * to end. [10 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb, K1; rep from * to end. [15 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 7 rows.
Break off the yarn and leave First Leg to one side.
Second leg
Work exactly the same as First Leg, but do not break off the yarn.
Join legs for body and head
Row 11 Kfb, K12, (kfb) twice, across Second Leg; (kfb) twice, K12, kfb, across First Leg. [36 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 15 rows.
Shape Neck
Row 27 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts]
Row 28 Purl.
Shape head
Row 29 K4, (kfb) 16 times, K4. [40 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 13 rows.
Row 43 *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [30 sts]
Row 44 Purl.
Row 45 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [20 sts]
Row 46 Purl.
Row 47 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [10 sts]
B&T.
Arms (make 2 the same)
Cast on 4 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn F.
Row 1 (RS) (Kfb) 3 times, K1. [7 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb; rep from * to end. [14 sts]
Row 4 Purl.
Beg with a knit row, work in st st for 6 rows.
Cast off.
Nose
Cast on 5 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn E.
Row 1 and every foll alt row (WS) Purl.
Row 2 K3, k2tog. [4 sts]
Row 4 K2, k2tog. [3 sts]
Row 6 K1, k2tog. [2 sts]
Row 7 P2tog. [1 st]
B&T.
Scarf
Cast on 40 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn G.
Knit 8 rows.
Cast off.
Making Up
Legs, Body and Head
1 Sew running stitch along the cast-on edge of the Legs and pull the thread tightly to close the cast-on edge. Sew the Leg seams, and then the main back seam, leaving a small gap for turning and stuffing.
2 Turn to the right side, stuff and sew up the gap.
3 Thread a long length of matching yarn through the middle purl row of the neck shaping and pull the thread up to shape the neck more clearly.
Arms
Sew a running stitch through the cast-on edge and pull thread to close the cast-on edge. Join the side seam, leaving the cast-off edge open. Stuff the Arms and sew them to the sides of the body.
Nose and Face
1 Sew the side seam of the Nose and sew the cast-on edge to the centre-front of the head.
2 Using Yarn H, embroider eyes on either side of the Nose, 5 sts apart and 2 rows down from the first decrease row. Sew a mouth below the Nose by sewing a long stitch below the Nose, catching it down in the centre directly below the Nose.
Scarf
Neaten the ends, then wrap the Scarf around the neck, crossing the ends at the front of the Snowman, and sewing the Scarf down to keep it in place.
Santa
First leg
Cast on 5 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn H.
Row 1 (RS) *Kfb; rep from * to end. [10 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb, K1; rep from * to end. [15 sts]
Break off Yarn H and join in Yarn G.
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 7 rows.
Break off the yarn and leave First Leg to one side.
Second leg
Work exactly the same as First Leg, but do not break off the yarn.
Join Legs for body and Head
Row 11 Kfb, K12, (kfb) twice, across Second Leg, (kfb) twice, K12, kfb, across First Leg. [36 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 7 rows.
Join in Yarn H. Do not break off Yarn G.
Using Yarn H, work in st st for 2 rows.
Break off Yarn H and continue in Yarn G.
Work in st st for 6 rows.
Shape Neck
Row 27 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts]
Break off Yarn G and join in Yarn K.
Row 28 Purl.
Shape head
Row 29 K4, (kfb) 16 times, K4. [40 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 13 rows.
Row 43 *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [30 sts]
Row 44 Purl.
Row 45 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [20 sts]
Row 46 Purl.
Row 47 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [10 sts]
B&T.
Arms (Make 2)
Cast on 4 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn K.
Row 1 (RS) (Kfb) 3 times, K1. [7 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb; rep from * to end [14 sts]
Row 4 Purl.
Break off Yarn K and join in Yarn G.
Beg with a knit row, work in st st for 6 rows.
Cast off.
Hair
Cast on 8 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn F.
Row 1 (RS) *Kfb; rep from * to end. [16 sts]
Row 2 and every foll WS row Knit.
Row 3 *Kfb, K1; rep from * to end. [24 sts]
Row 5 *Kfb, K2; rep from * to end. [32 sts]
Row 7 *Kfb, K3; rep from * to end. [40 sts]
Row 9 *Kfb, K4; rep from * to end. [48 sts]
Knit 5 rows.
Cast off.
Beard
Cast on 12 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn F.
Knit 2 rows.
Row 3 (RS) Kfb, knit to the last st, kfb. [14 sts]
Row 4 Knit.
Row 5 Kfb, knit to the last st, kfb. [16 sts]
Cast off.
Making Up
1 Make up the main body and Arms as for the Snowman.
2 Using Yarn K, embroider a nose by working three horizontal stitches in the centre of the face. Embroider eyes and a mouth using Yarn H, as for the Snowman.
3 Put the Beard on the face and sew in place.
4 Join the seam of the Hair and sew it on the top of the head, shaping the edge to create the illusion of a fringe.
5 Using Yarn C, embroider a square ‘buckle’ in the centre of the belt.
Rudolph
First leg
Cast on 5 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn L.
Row 1 (RS) *Kfb; rep from * to end. [10 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb, K1; rep from * to end. [15 sts]
Break off Yarn L and join in Yarn M.
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 7 rows.
Break off the yarn and leave First Leg to one side.
Second leg
Work exactly the same as First Leg, but do not break off the yarn.
Join Legs for body and Head
Row 11 Kfb, K12, (kfb) twice, across Second Leg, (kfb) twice, K12, kfb, across First Leg. [36 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 15 rows.
Shape Neck
Row 27 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [24 sts]
Row 28 Purl.
Shape head
Row 29 K4, (kfb) 16 times, K4. [40 sts]
Beg with a purl row, work in st st for 13 rows.
Row 43 *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. [30 sts]
Row 44 Purl.
Row 45 *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. [20 sts]
Row 46 Purl.
Row 47 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [10 sts]
B&T.
Arms (Make 2)
Cast on 4 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn L.
Row 1 (RS) (Kfb) 3 times, K1. [7 sts]
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 *Kfb; rep from * to end. [14 sts]
Row 4 Purl.
Break off Yarn L and join in Yarn M.
Beg with a knit row, work in st st for 6 rows.
Cast off.
Antlers
Cast on 20 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn L.
Knit 3 rows (first row is RS).
Cast off 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. [12 sts]
Cast on 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. [18 sts]
Knit 3 rows.
Cast off.
Nose
Cast on 10 sts using 3mm needles and Yarn G.
Beg with a purl (WS) row, work in st st for 3 rows.
Row 4 *K2tog; rep from * to end. [5 sts]
B&T.
Making Up
1 Make up the body and Arms as for the Snowman.
2 Join the side seam of the Nose, leaving the cast-on edge open.
3 Stuff the Nose and sew the cast-on edge to the centre of the face. 4 Embroider eyes and a mouth as for the other figures.
5 Sew the cast-on edge of the Antlers to the top of the head.
FINISHING
Using a matching yarn, sew a small hanging loop at the back of each figure. Place the figures in the Wreath, behind the Bunting
Download your free Christmas wreath knitting pattern
If you'd prefer a printer-friendly version of the free knitted wreath pattern with Characters, you can download our free PDF pattern! Click this link to download the PDF for this free knitted Christmas wreath pattern.
Realistic Christmas wreath knitting pattern
Kirstie McLeod's Christmas wreath is a beautiful decoration you'll want to bring out year after year. Add foliage, berries and ribbons for a traditional, timeless look.
This gorgeous traditional festive wreath was designed by Kirstie McLeod for Simply Knitting magazine issue 100, and is knitted in Wendy Nina yarn. All you need are two balls of Nina and a 30cm diameter polystyrene ring. If you haven't knitted with Nina before, you'll find a helpful video below.
As stocks of Nina are hard to come by now, this may not be the free knitting pattern for a Christmas wreath for you, but we did not want to take it down in case people who already have yarn in their stash would miss it. And if any of our Gathered makers know of a suitable alternative yarn, please drop us a line to make this free knitted Christmas wreath pattern useful for many more knitters.
Once your free knitted Christmas wreath pattern is complete you can attach decorations with pins or by sewing, to suit your festive colour scheme. Go traditional with holly and berries, or how's about a modern look with glitter ribbon and brightly coloured pom-poms? The only limit is your imagination!
Knitted wreath pattern materials
- Wendy, Nina (72% acrylic, 19% wool, 9% polyester, 100g/12m)
- 2 balls of Green Eyes (3060)
- A pair of 6mm needles
- A 30cm diameter polystyrene ring
Download the realistic knitted Christmas wreath pattern:
To download the PDF pattern, click on the link below and it will open in a new window. You can then save/download the knitting pattern.
Free knitted Christmas wreath pattern PDF
Christmas wreath knitting pattern to elevate your decor
A homemade wreath will add extra depth to your Christmas decor, and making a knitted one is even better because it will last you year after year!
When choosing your pattern you'll need to decide whether you'd like a cute plush version (which kids will love) or prefer a classy and realistic version (for an understated look).
Festive knitting ideas to keep you cosy!
We have plenty of free christmas projects here on Gathered! Why not have a go at our beautiful star knitting pattern – it will add a sparkle to your tree.
