Did you know that the phrase ‘Christmas in July’ is believed to have originated from a 1890s French opera? While there were a few celebrations here and there, the tradition was not very popular until a 1940s movie called Christmas in July hit the theaters.

Funny enough, the movie itself has nothing to do with Christmas celebrations in July! Retailers soon got wind of this midsummer (northern hemisphere talk) splurge, which worked out for both consumers and companies.

The summer months (or, if you are southern, the winter months) are perfect for starting your Christmas crochet projects. Start them now to have plenty of time to complete the entire list you collected for yourself over the half of the year (maybe you have some leftover projects as well you want to finish).

Some of the easiest patterns are the smallest ones. Ornaments are great stocking stuffers, office gifts, or white elephant gifts since generally they can be made in an hour or less.

Ornament patterns are actually super easy to find. As long as your project is smaller enough and has a loop to hang on the tree, it is an ornament!

In this round up, there will be a collection of both ornaments and small items that would be great as ornaments. Feel free to use these as inspirations for your own tree!

Looking for more Christmas patterns? I also created an ultimate Christmas pattern round-up that has a mix of amigurumi, decorations, ornaments, stockings, and stocking stuffers!

Check my Christmas pattern tab for even more!

Mini Sweater and Stocking Ornaments

This mini sweater and stocking ornament patterns are super quick and easy to whip up! Pick whatever colors you want to tailor to the right person, or break out your scraps to whittle down that pile.

Fun fact: the sweater has the exact same construction as a life sized one, so if you really like the style of it, you could definitely scale it up and wear it! (If you have never done a wearable before, I would recommend looking for an actual life-sized sweater pattern.)

Mini Ice Skate

Although my mini ice skate amigurumi isn’t advertised as an ornament, it would look great as one! It is low-sew and would look so much better than a store-bought ice skate ornament.

All you will need to add on is a loop once you are finished. Simply take a long piece of string, thread it in and out of a stitch, then tie the ends together. You should be able to wiggle the tied end back into the amigurumi to hide it.

Elf Door Ornament

This is a super cute scrap yarn pattern! It can be made in less than an hour without any extra stuffing involved. Mix and match different color combinations to make your own special door!

The wreath can be glued or sewn on. If it is going to be around or handled by small children, sewing is preferred.

Christmas Bulb Cover

If you have some baubles or bulb ornaments that are boring (or you do not want to see that school project you painted when you were five years old), or you have a color theme you need to match, how about crocheting a cover?

This works up incredibly quickly and you can do it in any color you want! It can be adjusted to fit any size ornament that you need it to.

Bell Ornament

A lot of bell ornaments are not soft or kid friendly, but you can make your own! It works up in practically no time. Tie a ribbon with a bell inside of it if you want to make it jingle.

…Be Ready for Christmas Gift

This adorable little gift box is low-sew and is worked as one cube, so you do not have to worry about losing the top half to little hands! You can chain your own ribbon to tie it off or use an actual ribbon.

You can use a metal loop as a hook for the tree, or you can use excess thread leftover.

Flat Rustic Tree Ornament

Here is a crocheted spin on the classic rustic tree ornament! It is great for stash busting while keeping your ornaments cabin-esque.

Adding a button as a star is such a charming solution if you would rather not deal with crocheting and sewing on an extra addition of a star.

3D Rustic Tree Ornament

This rustic tree is absolutely adorable! Made up of three different tree parts, you can mix and match colors to create your own custom tree.

In fact, if you are willing to test some things out, you could definitely create a bigger, longer tree by adding more increases to a fourth part. If you starch your tree’s pieces, it will keep stiff like a regular ornament.

Gingerbread Man Ornament

Aren’t these just the cutest? They help bring down your yarn stash, can easily be embroidered with extra details, and can be used from tree ornaments to little additions onto gift bows!

Yarn Basket Ornament

This might not be Christmas-y, but as a crocheter, shouldn’t you have a little yarn ornament on your tree somewhere? How about you make your own little yarn basket, complete with little balls of yarn?

Christmas Bauble / Coaster

Want to crochet an ornament but wish it could be useful as well as pretty? These ornaments can be hung on trees and used as coasters!

No need to store these coasters in the middle of your table. Simply hang them on the tree as you clean up the table!

Christmas Cookie

This super quick cookie can be made with all different colors of frosting and sprinkles. Add extra bits like stray beads or glitter to customize it!

You could use these to decorate instead of messy Christmas cookies and only have a fiber mess to clean up instead of sticky frosting.

Christmas Tree Cake

A fan of those squishy tree-shaped cakes? Maybe you do not like to eat them, but they look pretty in a bowl on the table? Make your own without worrying about who will eat them, since you can’t eat them!

They are super easy to make and are worked in two layers. If you do not mind the ends showing up in the back, you could even cut the pattern in half and only do one layer.

Angel

This lovely little angel only takes simple granny squares (two small ones for the wings and a larger one for the dress) and a ball. Make the dress different colors or  add eyes or hair to make this angel your own!

Pinecone

This super cute pinecone may be difficult for a beginner, but I had to include it! Real pinecones are rough and may end up hurting little fingers. These soft yarn pinecones are perfect!

The YouTube tutorial is step-by-step and easily understood, especially when it comes to the scale’s pattern. Once you have it down, it is super easy.

Gnome Ornament

This little gnome is one of the easiest patterns out there. All you need to do is crochet his little hat then tie, sew, or glue on his beard! Could that get any easier?

There’s also tips on how to do different hat variations, if you are looking for something taller or bigger!

Tassel Stars

These tassel stars are super pretty, and they only take fifteen minutes to make! Crochet them in different colors or make them in one solid color; either way, they will look gorgeous.

If you stiffen your stars, they will keep their shape better. That is not required as how they are worked keeps them from drooping, as long as you use a stiffer yarn.

Star Light Star Bright

These stained glass-esque stars are oh-so lovely. They look great with variegated and solid colors for the star points!

You can sew them together to make a garland or add them to a table runner. Add a loop and they can become an ornament. They are super flexible!

Winter Ornaments (Snowman & Tree)

You’ll need to use two different hooks for these to make the snowman and the tree fit onto the circle! You can even go down a size in yarn, if you want an even smaller design.

The snowman and tree are made separately and sewn on. It is best to block them before sewing. You can also decorate your ornaments with extra things like buttons for stars!

Mittens Ornament

These super cute (or kawaii in Japanese) come in two different designs: kawaii and snowflake! They are worked in back-and-forth rows with some color changes to spice up otherwise regular mittens.

Everything is worked as single crochets unless otherwise specified. If you do not want to deal with any color changes, feel free to skip those instructions!

Christmas Ornament (bauble)

These beginner-friendly baubles are crocheted flat then sewn together. You will not need to worry about any pesky increases or decreases!

Before closing it up, add a plastic ball ornament or stuff it with stuffing. If you decide to stuff it, make sure you add a loop to hang it onto your tree!

Lightbulb Ornament

These flat lightbulb-shaped ornaments are great for unused scraps and for stash busting! Use any colors you want to create unique and fun combinations.

You do not even have to worry about stuffing, but they will look best if blocked before getting hung.

Christmas Bauble

These adorable handmade baubles will be cherished in the years to come! They are perfect for your own tree or as gifts to friends and family.

The pattern offers four different variations, but with a pattern so simple, the sky’s the limit! Customize each bauble for each friend and family member to make them even more special.

Mini Christmas Bauble

Did you see the mini baubles paired with the baubles in the pattern just before and wish you could make them? Well, do not worry, because there is a pattern for them!

Perfect for a little dangly on the ribbon of a gift, or something to add just a sweet bit of pizzazz to, these little ones can be crocheted within fifteen minutes – maybe even less if you are fast and experienced!

Christmas Pickle

Do you know where the German-American tradition of finding a Christmas pickle in the tree came from? There are many different origin stories, but the legend’s meaning is the same: if you are the first to find the pickle ornament in the tree, you are granted good fortune for the rest of the year (or maybe an extra present from Santa!).

Why not make your own Christmas pickle tradition with a crocheted pickle? You do not have to make it for tradition; maybe you are just a big pickle fan, or it is a funny ornament that you simply want to have!

Tasty Taco

Sometimes you want to bring in the silly, so why not create a tasty taco to add to your decorations? While there is a bit of sewing, this taco is incredibly easy! Add some extra fillings and topping, if you want a challenge!

Wreath Ornament

This wreath is best made with a plastic or wooden ring in the center to give it its wreath look, but it is not required. You could easily use a magic ring then block it after you are done crocheting, as long as you did not pull the ring too tight!

Snowflake

These gorgeous snowflakes could just as well be flowers or stars. The shape is just lovely! The colors you use could give this snowflake a different look.