Originally published in Simply Knitting magazine issue 179, this amazing knitted scene will really impress your friends and family, and is guaranteed to become a treasured piece of festive decor for many years to come!
Gathered is now bringing you the complete pattern for free, and we've even included the template so you can make the stable background too!
Whether you choose to stitch the entire nativity knitting pattern, or prefer to use just a few elements to act as tree ornaments or festive plushies, there is so much here for you to enjoy! Designer Amanda Berry created this spectacular free nativity knitting pattern, and you can find more of her amazing designs by visiting her fluffandfuzz etsy store!
How to make a Nativity scene stable
Complete your knitted Nativity scene with our simple stable background. Simply download our Knitted Nativity Pattern Stable Template PDF and follow the instructions.
Print this Nativity knitting pattern
Because this is quite a large project with lots of different elements, we're also providing you with this free nativity knitting pattern PDF which you can download and print at home. The download is an A4 PDF with the knitted nativity pattern split across six pages.
What you need to make this knitted Nativity scene
- Patons Baby Smiles Fairytale Fab 4 ply (100% acrylic, 50g/184m) or alternative 4ply yarn, 1 ball of each:
- Yarn A Sundance (01022)
- Yarn B Black (01099)
- Yarn C White (01001)
- Yarn D Lilac (01047)
- Yarn E Violet (01049)
- Yarn F Chestnut (01011)
- Yarn G Beige (01005)
- Yarn H Denim (01052)
- Yarn I Pale Blue (01054)
- Yarn J Camel (01010)
- Yarn K Apple Green (01072)
- Yarn L Grey (01090)
- Yarn M Jade (01070)
Important information about this Nativity knitting pattern
This Nativity set is for display only and is not a toy due to the use of cocktail sticks in the shepherd's crook, so please take care with younger children.
Use a long-tail cast on for all pieces unless otherwise stated.
If you are unfamiliar with any of the terms used in this pattern, you can find full definitions in our knitting abbreviations guide.
Your knitting tension should be 28 stitches and 36 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3.25mm needles. To discover more about tension and why it is important, see our article on knitting tension squares
Measurements of knitted Nativity characters
- Mary, Joseph, Kings, Angel and Shepherd 11cm (4½in) tall
- Jesus in Manger 7cm (2¾in) long
- Sheep 4cm (1½in) tall
- Camel 8cm (3¼in) tall
- Donkey 8cm (3¼in) tall
Free Nativity knitting pattern
Start by making the people
The Head and Body are knitted the same for each figure, using different shades. Head and Body shades for all characters are as follows:
- Mary Yarn I for Body, Yarn G for Head.
- Joseph Yarn L for Body, Yarn G for Head.
- King 1 Yarn D for Body, Yarn F for Head.
- King 2 Yarn K for Body, Yarn J for Head.
- King 3 Yarn E for Body, Yarn G for Head.
- Shepherd Yarn J for Body, Yarn G for Head.
- Angel Yarn C for Body, Yarn G for Head.
Cast on 8 sts using 3.25mm needles and Body Colour.
Row 1 (WS) Knit.
Row 2 K1, (kfb) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 K1, (kfb, K1) 7 times. [22 sts]
Row 5 Knit.
Rows 6 to 23 Beg on a RS knit row, work in st st.
Row 24 K1, (k2tog, K1) 7 times. [15 sts]
Break Body Colour and join in Head Colour.
Row 25 Purl.
Note Row 25 is the neckline.
Row 26 K1, (kfb, K1) 7 times. [22 sts]
Row 27 Purl.
Row 28 K1, (kfb, K2) 7 times. [29 sts]
Rows 29 to 39 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 40 K1, (k2tog, K2) 7 times. [22 sts]
Row 41 Purl.
Row 42 K1, (k2tog, K1) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 43 Purl.
Row 44 K1, (k2tog) 7 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Give your Nativity characters their headscarf
Headscarf colours are as follows:
- Mary Yarn H.
- Joseph Yarn K.
- King 1 Yarn E.
- King 2 Yarn M.
- King 3 Yarn H.
- Shepherd Yarn C.
- The Angel's hair is made later along with her wings
Cast on 9 sts using 3.25mm needles and Headscarf Colour.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (Kfb) 8 times, K1. [17 sts]
Row 3 Purl.
Row 4 (K1, kfb) 8 times, K1. [25 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 (K2, kfb) 8 times, K1. [33 sts]
Rows 7 to 11 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 12 Cast off the first 6 sts, knit rem sts. [27 sts]
Row 13 K2, P23, K2.
Row 14 K27.
Rows 15 to 36 Rep Rows 13 to 14 eleven more times.
Row 37 Rep Row 13.
Cast off.
Make two arms for each character
Arm and hand colours are as follows:
- Mary Yarn I for Arm, Yarn G for hand.
- Joseph Yarn L for Arm, Yarn G for hand.
- King 1 Yarn D for Arm, Yarn F for hand.
- King 2 Yarn K for Arm, Yarn J for hand.
- King 3 Yarn E for Arm, Yarn G for hand.
- Shepherd Yarn J for Arm, Yarn G for hand.
- Angel Yarn C for Arm, Yarn G for hand.
Cast on 5 sts using 3.25mm needles and Arm colour.
Rows 1 to 8 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 9 Knit.
Break Arm colour and join hand colour.
Rows 10 to 13 Beg on a RS knit row work in st st.
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Now you need to knit baby Jesus
Cast on 8 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn C.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (Kfb) 7 times, K1. [15 sts]
Rows 3 to 11 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Break Yarn C and join Yarn G.
Note Row 12 is the neckline.
Rows 12 to 19 Beg on a RS knit row work in st st.
Row 20 K1, (k2tog) 7 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Give him a manger to sleep in
Cast on 44 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn F.
Rows 1 to 7 Knit.
Row 8 P1, (p2tog, P2, p2tog, p2tog, P11, p2tog) 2 times, P1.
[36 sts]
Row 9 Knit.
Row 10 P1, (p2tog, p2tog, p2tog, P9, p2tog) 2 times, P1. [28 sts]
Cast off.
Make three crowns for the kings
Cast on 5 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS) K1, (K1, lift the second st on RH needle over first) 2 times, K2. [3 sts]
Row 2 P3.
Row 3 Cast on 2 sts at beg of row using cable cast on, K1, (K1, lift the second st on RH needle over first) 2 times, K2. [3 sts]
Rows 4 to 33 Rep Rows 2 to 3 fifteen more times.
Row 34 P3.
Cast off.
...and make three gifts too (one for each king)
Colours are as follows:
- King 1 Yarn A.
- King 2 Yarn H.
- King 3 Yarn M.
Cast on 4 sts using 3.25mm needles and Gift Colour.
Start at the bottom edge.
Row 1 and all foll WS rows Purl.
Row 2 (RS) (Kfb) 4 times. [8 sts]
Row 4 Knit.
Row 6 (K2tog) 4 times. [4 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Give your angel her wings
Cast on 32 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn C.
Row 1 and all foll alt rows Knit.
Row 2 K1, (k2tog, K11, k2tog) 2 times, K1. [28 sts]
Row 4 K1, (k2tog, K9, k2tog) 2 times, K1. [24 sts]
Row 6 K1, (k2tog, K7, k2tog) 2 times, K1. [20 sts]
Row 8 K1, (k2tog, K5, k2tog) 2 times, K1. [16 sts]
Row 10 K1, (k2tog, K3, k2tog) 2 times, K1. [12 sts]
Row 12 K1, (k2tog, K1, k2tog) 2 times, K1. [8 sts]
Row 14 (K2tog) 4 times. [4 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
...and don't forget your Angel's hair
Cast on 9 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A.
Rows 1 to 12 Follow the Headscarf patt Rows 1 to 12. [27 sts]
Rows 13 to 23 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Cast off.
Too cute tree topper
Give your Christmas decor an extra angelic touch this year by making our fabulous free knitted angel pattern – she'll look adorable hanging from the top of your Christmas tree!
Your shepherd needs his crook (his wooden stick)
Cast on 4 sts using 3.25mm DPNs and Yarn F.
Using 2 DPNs work i-cord for 27 rows.
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Now to make the Nativity animals!
Let's start by making the sheep's body
Cast on 8 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn C.
Row 1 (WS) Knit.
Row 2 K1, (kfb) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 K1, (kfb, K1) 7 times. [22 sts]
Rows 5 to 17 Knit.
Row 18 (K2tog) 11 times. [11 sts]
Row 19 Knit.
Break Yarn C and join Yarn B.
Rows 20 to 24 Beg on a RS knit row work in st st.
Row 25 P1, (p2tog) 5 times. [6 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Give your sheep two ears
Cast on 3 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn B using cable cast on.
Cast off.
...and of course a sheep needs 4 legs
Cast on 4 sts using 3.25mm DPNs and Yarn B.
Using 2 DPNs work i-cord for 4 rows.
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
It's little donkey time
Make the donkey body first
Cast on 8 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn L.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 K1, (kfb) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 3 Purl.
Row 4 K1, (kfb, K1) 7 times. [22 sts]
Rows 5 to 19 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 20 K1, (k2tog, K1) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 21 Purl.
Row 22 K1, (k2tog) 7 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Then make the donkey's head
Cast on 10 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn L.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 K1, (kfb) 9 times. [19 sts]
Rows 3 to 8 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Break Yarn L and join Yarn G.
Rows 9 to 15 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 16 (K2tog) 9 times, K1. [10 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Now give your donkey two ears
Cast on 7 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn L using cable cast on.
Cast off.
And finish with four legs
Cast on 4 sts using 3.25mm DPNs and Yarn L.
Using 2 DPNs work i-cord for 7 rows.
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Fun festive mice
They may not be a part of the traditional Nativity story, but these sweet mice still want to be part of your Christmas celebrations. Check out our free Christmas mice knitting pattern to make yours!
Now for a classic Christmas camel
First make the Camel's body
Cast on 8 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn J.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 K1, (kfb) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 3 Purl.
Row 4 K1, (kfb, K1) 7 times. [22 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 K1, kfb, knit to the last 2 sts, kfb, K1. [24 sts]
Rows 7 to 10 Rep Rows 5 to 6 twice more. [28 sts]
Row 11 Purl.
Row 12 K1, ssk, knit to the last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [26 sts]
Rows 13 to 16 Rep Rows 11 to 12 twice more. [22 sts]
Row 17 P22, cast on 4 sts at the end of the row using knitted cast on. [26 sts]
Row 18 K26, cast on 4 sts at the end of the row using knitted cast on. [30 sts]
Rows 19 to 23 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 24 K7, (k2tog) 8 times, K7. [22 sts]
Row 25 Purl.
Cast off.
Then knit the Camel head
Cast on 10 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn J.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (RS) K1, (kfb) 9 times. [19 sts]
Rows 3 to 7 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 8 K5, ssk, K5, k2tog, K5. [17 sts]
Rows 9 to 15 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Row 16 K1, (k2tog) 8 times. [9 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Your Camel needs two little ears
Cast on 4 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn J using cable cast on.
Cast off.
Then he just need four legs
Cast on 7 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn J.
Rows 1 to 8 Beg on a WS purl row work in st st.
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
It get's cold in the stable, so give your camel a blanket too!
Cast on 22 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (WS) Knit.
Break Yarn A and join Yarn E.
Rows 2 to 3 Beg on a RS knit row work in st st.
Row 4 K1, (k2tog, K1) 7 times. [15 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 K1, (k2tog) 7 times. [8 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Just the final assembly to do!
Body (for all dolls) The cast-off sts are the top of the Head. Sew the side edges together, adding stuffing as you sew. This seam runs down the centre back. Gather the cast-on sts together at the bottom of the Body.
Neckline (for all dolls) Cut a length of yarn in the Head colour and tie around the neck at Row 25. Pull the yarn tight to make an indentation for the neck and securely knot the yarn and hide the ends inside the Body.
Features (for all dolls) Embroider the eyes and mouth in black embroidery thread. Add a spot of blusher or crayon on the cheeks. For the male dolls embroider the nose in the Head colour.
Arms (for all dolls) Sew the side edges tog and gather the cast-on sts tog. Sew the cast-on end onto the top side of the Body. Note The arms are not stuffed.
Mary’s hair Knot strands of Yarn F on the side of the head before adding the Headscarf.
Headscarf Gather the cast-on sts together, and sew the side edges together for Rows 1 to 12. Place the Headscarf onto the Head.
For Mary, Joseph and the Shepherd, make the headband using a 3.5mm crochet hook and the headband colour. Crochet 35 chain stitches and fasten off. Wrap the headband around the Head and sew onto the headscarf.
Note If you don’t know how to crochet, instead you could tie a length of yarn around the Head, or embroider in chain stitch.
Headband colours are as follows:
- Mary Yarn C
- Joseph Yarn F
- Shepherd Yarn F
Crowns For the Kings, sew the cast-on and cast-off ends of the Crown together, place over the Head and sew onto the Head/Headscarf.
Beards For the male dolls, cut several 8cm lengths of the Beard colour and knot around the chin for the Beard. Trim the ends to 1-2cm long. Beard colours are as follows:
- Joseph Yarn F
- King 1 Yarn B
- King 2 Yarn C
- King 3 Yarn L
- Shepherd Yarn L
Joseph’s belt For the belt using a 3.5mm crochet hook and Yarn F, crochet 25 chain sts and fasten off. Wrap the belt around the body and sew in place.
Shepherd’s Crook For the Crook, cut the pointy ends off a cocktail stick, and insert the blunt stick inside the i-cord piece at one end. Fold over the other end to make the handle, and slip under the Arm.
Kings’ Gifts For the Gift, use the yarn tail from the cast off and sew a running stitch around the outside edges of the knitted piece, pull the yarn to gather together the edges to make a small ball with RS facing outwards.
Add a little stuffing to the inside of the ball then sew the gathered edges closed. Sew this gathered edge to the centre front of the Body. Sew the hands onto either side of the Gift.
Angel’s Hair Make up as per the Headscarf instructions.
Angel’s Wings Sew onto the back of the Body with the cast-on edge at the bottom.
Angel’s halo Using Yarn C, crochet 35 chain sts and bind off. Wrap the halo around the Head and sew onto the hair. If you don’t know crochet, instead you could tie a length of yarn around the Head, or embroider in chain stitch.
Baby Jesus The cast-off sts are the top of the Head. Sew the side edges together, adding stuffing as you sew. This seam runs down the centre back. Finish by gathering the cast-on sts together at the bottom of the Body. Using a length of Yarn G, tie around the neck at Row 12. Pull the yarn tight to make an indentation for the neck and securely knot the yarn and hide the ends inside the Body.
Embroider the eyes in black embroidery thread. Add a spot of blusher or crayon to the cheeks. To finish, using a 3.5mm crochet hook and Yarn C crochet a single 22 chain sts and bind off. Wrap the chain diagonally around the body and sew in place.
Manger Fold the cast-off edge in half and sew together. Sew the side edges together. Place Jesus inside the Manger.
Sheep Sew the side edges of the Body tog, stuffing as you sew, and gather cast-on sts tog at back. The seam runs down centre underside. Sew an Ear on either side of the black Head, and sew feet onto bottom of Body.
Donkey Sew the side edges of the Body tog, stuffing as you sew, and gather cast-on sts tog at back. Make up the Head in the same way, embroider the eyes in black embroidery thread, and sew the underside of the Head onto the top of the Body.
Sew the Ears onto the top of the Head, and knot strands of Yarn L down the centre top of the Head for the mane. Add a strand of Yarn L on the back of the Body for the tail. Sew one end of each Leg to the underside of the Body. To stabilise the Legs, insert a cocktail stick inside the i-cord piece, and trim the end so it is hidden inside the knitting.
Camel Make up Head and Body as per Donkey. For the Body, sew cast-off edge tog at front of neck. Embroider the eyes in black embroidery thread, and sew the underside of the Head onto the neck.
Sew the Ears onto the top of the Head. Add a strand of Yarn J on the back of the Body for the tail. For each leg, sew side edges tog and gather cast-on sts tog. Sew each Leg onto the side of the Body. Sew the side edges of the Blanket tog, and sew onto the Camel’s back. Add the Camel’s reins in Yarn E.
Download this knitting pattern and start making!
Phew! The pattern is quite a lot to read through online, so don't forget you can download a free nativity knitting pattern PDF version which you can print at home or store on your phone/device.
Find your next Christmas knitting project
Once you've finished this epic Nativity scene, get started on your next festive project with Gathered by checking out our free Christmas knitting patterns. There's loads to choose, from Christmas stockings to Santa hats!
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