A Christmas Tree Garland Pattern is a festive way to add handmade color and texture to a mantel, staircase, tree, or holiday table. This design uses green and berry-red yarn to create 20 decorative shells and 20 raised popcorn details on each garland. Because you make two matching garlands, the finished set works beautifully as a coordinated seasonal display. For more handmade decorating inspiration, browse these all-in-one crochet bouquet patterns and adapt the same color-planning ideas for your holiday décor.
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Project
This Christmas tree garland has several details that make it especially enjoyable to crochet and display:
- Festive colorwork: Lettuce green and Berry Red create a classic Christmas palette without requiring complicated stranded colorwork.
- Decorative texture: The popcorn stitches add raised accents, while the shell sections create a scalloped, tree-inspired edge.
- Useful stitch practice: The project introduces popcorn stitches, picots, double crochet shells, color changes, and working across the opposite side of a foundation chain.
- Flexible decorating: Use the two garlands together across a wide space or display them separately in different rooms.
- Handmade gift potential: A finished garland makes a thoughtful seasonal gift for someone who enjoys handmade home décor.
My Crochet Flower Tip: Keep the carried yarn loose across Row 2. If the unused color is pulled too tightly, the garland may curl or lose its flexible shape.
Before You Start Crocheting
The pattern makes 2 garlands, and each garland is worked in three rows. You begin with a foundation chain of 122 stitches, then work Row 1 along one side of the chain. Row 2 is worked across the opposite side of the foundation chain and introduces 20 Berry Red popcorn stitches. Row 3 adds green shell motifs over the popcorns.
The construction relies on two decorative techniques:
- A popcorn is formed from four single crochet stitches worked in one stitch, then closed by drawing the dropped loop through the first single crochet.
- A picot is made with 3 chains and a slip stitch in the top of the last double crochet made.
The pattern uses US crochet terminology. Useful abbreviations include:
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
The approved instructions do not specify a finished size, so keep your tension consistent to help both garlands match.
Materials You’ll Need
- RED HEART® With Love®: 1 skein of 1601 Lettuce A
- RED HEART® With Love®: 1 skein of 1914 Berry Red B
- Susan Bates® crochet hook: 6mm [US J-10]
- Yarn needle
The Lettuce yarn forms the main shell sections, while Berry Red creates the popcorn accents. The yarn needle is used to weave in the ends securely after crocheting.
Complete Crochet Tutorial
Special Abbreviations
popcorn: 4 sc in next st, drop loop from hook, insert hook from front to back in first sc, pick up dropped loop, draw through loop on hook.
picot: Ch 3, sl st in top of last dc made.
Garland Make 2
Make two complete garlands using the instructions below. Work the first garland from beginning to end, then repeat the entire pattern for the second garland.
Foundation Chain
With A, ch 122.
Row 1
Row 1 (right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *skip next 2 ch, (3 dc, picot, 3 dc) in next ch, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * across, ending with 2 sc in last ch, do not turn – 20 shells.
The shell consists of three double crochet stitches, a picot, and three more double crochet stitches worked into the same chain. Avoid turning at the end of this row because Row 2 is worked along the opposite side of the foundation chain.
Row 2
Working across opposite side of foundation ch, sc in each of next 2 ch, complete last sc with B, drop A and carry across tops of sts and work over strand with B, with B, work popcorn in next ch, yarn over with A and draw through (to complete a ch and change color), drop B and carry along tops of sts and work over strand with A*; sc in each of next 4 ch, complete last sc with B, drop A and carry across tops of sts and work over strand with B, skip next ch; repeat from * across, ending last repeat at , sc in each of last 3 ch – 20 popcorns.
When carrying a strand, keep it laid across the tops of the stitches and work over it neatly. Complete each color change as written so the Berry Red popcorns and Lettuce background remain clearly defined.
Fasten off.
Row 3
With right side facing, join A with a sl st in first sc of Row 2, ch 1, sc in first sc, skip next 2 sc, (3 dc, picot, 3 dc) in top of next popcorn*, skip next sc, sc in next sc; repeat from * across, ending last repeat at **, skip next 2 sc, sc in last sc.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
The shells in this row are worked into the tops of the popcorn stitches. Insert your hook carefully into the popcorn top so the raised stitch remains visible rather than becoming flattened.
Finishing
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Repeat the complete Garland instructions to make the second garland.
Creative Ways to Use Your Project
- Frame a mantel: Drape one garland along the front edge of a mantel, allowing the shell motifs to hang naturally.
- Decorate a staircase: Use the pair along a banister or railing for a coordinated holiday display.
- Accent a Christmas tree: Place the garland around the lower or middle portion of a tree, securing it gently between branches.
- Create a table centerpiece: Arrange the garland around a bowl, candle display, or seasonal centerpiece.
- Wrap a gift basket: Use a short section as decorative trim around a holiday basket or wrapped gift.
- Layer with other handmade decorations: Pair the green-and-red garland with crochet ornaments, bows, or other seasonal motifs. A delicate project such as this crochet rose for wine glasses can also inspire coordinated handmade accents for a holiday table.
Caring for Your Crochet Project
Treat the completed garland as a decorative textile. Keep it away from excessive heat, open flames, and damp storage areas.
- Dust it gently with a soft brush or a clean, dry cloth.
- For a small mark, use careful spot cleaning rather than soaking the entire garland.
- Do not pull on the picots or popcorn stitches while cleaning or arranging.
- Reshape the shells gently by hand if the garland becomes compressed during storage.
- Store it flat or loosely coiled in a clean container.
- Avoid placing heavy decorations on top of it, as this can flatten the popcorns and distort the shell edges.
- Make sure the garland is completely dry before storing it for the next season.
Tips for Better Results
- Count the foundation chain carefully. The starting chain is 122 stitches, and an accurate foundation helps the repeated shell and popcorn sections align.
- Mark the right side. Row 1 is identified as the right side, so a removable stitch marker can help you keep track of orientation while working the opposite side of the chain.
- Do not turn after Row 1. The instruction specifically says to work across the opposite side of the foundation chain without turning.
- Keep carried yarn relaxed. The unused strand should lie across the tops of the stitches without pulling the fabric inward.
- Watch each color change. Complete the last single crochet with the new color as directed, then carry the dropped color along the row.
- Close popcorns carefully. When picking up the dropped loop, insert the hook from front to back through the first single crochet before drawing the loop through.
- Work into the popcorn tops securely. Row 3 places each shell in the top of a popcorn, so locate the stitch opening carefully before beginning the double crochets.
- Compare the two garlands. After finishing the first one, use it as a visual guide for the second so the tension, shell height, and color changes remain consistent.
- Weave in ends thoroughly. The garland will be handled during decorating and storage, so secure the yarn tails neatly with the yarn needle.
Color and Styling Variations
The approved pattern uses Lettuce A and Berry Red B, but you can make optional color changes while keeping the stitch instructions intact.
- Traditional palette: Keep the original green and red combination for a classic Christmas appearance.
- Winter white: Replace the green with white or cream and use red for a snowy design with bright accents.
- Metallic-inspired colors: Choose a deep green with gold-toned yarn if an appropriate substitute is available.
- Modern holiday colors: Try white with cranberry, forest green with ivory, or burgundy with soft green.
- Longer displays: Make additional garlands and arrange them end to end, keeping each component separate rather than changing the approved stitch counts.
- Coordinated décor: Match the garland colors to ornaments, table linens, bows, or wrapped gifts.
If you use a different yarn or hook size, the finished dimensions, stitch definition, texture, and yarn requirements may change. A different fiber can also affect how firmly the popcorns stand out and how much the garland stretches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Christmas tree garland pattern suitable for beginners?
It can be a useful learning project for a crocheter who is comfortable with chains, single crochet, double crochet, and slip stitches. The popcorn and color-change instructions require extra attention, so beginners may want to practice those techniques separately first.
How many garlands does the pattern make?
The pattern instructs you to make 2 garlands. Each one includes three rows, 20 shells, and 20 popcorns.
What yarn and hook should I use?
The approved materials are RED HEART® With Love® in 1601 Lettuce A and 1914 Berry Red B, with a Susan Bates® 6mm [US J-10] crochet hook.
Can I change the colors?
Yes. Color changes are an optional styling choice. Changing the yarn colors does not alter the written stitch sequence, but substitute yarn may affect the texture and final size.
Why does Row 2 use the opposite side of the foundation chain?
Working across the opposite side allows the garland to build outward from the original chain and positions the popcorn accents beneath the Row 1 shell motifs.
How do I keep the popcorns visible?
Avoid tightening the closing loop excessively, and make sure Row 3 shells are worked into the top of each popcorn as written. Gentle handling during finishing and storage also helps preserve their raised texture.
Can I make only one garland?
Yes. The instructions specify two garlands, but you may complete only one if that suits your display. To make the pair, repeat the full pattern a second time.
How should I store the finished garland?
Store it clean and dry, either flat or loosely coiled. Keep it away from heavy objects, excessive heat, and anything that could snag the picots or flatten the popcorns.
Conclusion
This Christmas tree garland pattern combines classic holiday colors with scalloped shells, picots, and textured popcorn stitches. Make the two garlands as written for a coordinated display, or customize the palette for a different seasonal look. Once finished, arrange the garland on a mantel, tree, staircase, or table, and find more seasonal inspiration in these free crochet Christmas garland patterns.
