[For info on the CAL, scroll down ⬇️ ]
This beautiful rustic crochet nativity set is a perfect addition to your holiday decor. It’s lovely and chic to display during the holiday season and perfect for little hands to play with as well. It’s also easy, and suitable for an advanced beginner. Make one of these gorgeous nativity sets for yourself and make one to gift away this year! In this post you will find links to the FREE crochet nativity pieces, as well as yarn alternatives.
This post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! 

This crochet nativity pattern has been a true labor of love. Over the past several years it has grown from a small family Holy Family of 3 to a whole set of 14 pieces! I have dearly loved creating new additions, but even more, I have loved seeing your creations that you have graciously shared with me via email or social media.

If you have ever reached out to me about this nativity, please know I have treasured your words.


Well written, easy to navigate pattern.

So many variations and details included. Exactly what I was looking for in a rustic nativity. I’m enjoying working through it.
Etsy Customer

Excellent pattern!

Easy to follow and pieces turn out beautifully.
Heather
Etsy Customer

fun patterns and very cute.

I’m enjoying how quick these work up.
Ricqui G
Etsy Customer

rustic crochet set free crochet pattern nativity set

I SEE YOU, BUSY MAKER

You’re tired of sifting through complicated tutorials and daunting patterns that leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Let me help.

Picture this:  
🧶 Joining a thriving community of fellow crocheters who share your passion.
📚 Access to our ENTIRE library of patterns that will buildsyour confidence.
🎁 Gifting handcrafted treasures to be cherished by your loved ones.
🌟 Modern, easy-to-follow patterns that will leave you feeling accomplished.

It’s time to make your crafting experience as joyful as it should be. We can’t wait to meet you!

This pattern is fairly simple, so even advanced beginners can make it. This lovely set makes an endearing gift that will be treasured for generations.

It’s rustic, yet modern, so it compliments all styles and trends, and it’s perfect for curious little hands. My children adore playing with the pieces every year, and it makes my heart sing to see them enjoy the set so much.

FREE sent includes Mary, Jospeh, Baby, and Manger. Keep scrolling to get these pattern FREE ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

READY TO MAKE YOUR RUSTIC CROCHET NATIVITY?

This rustic crochet nativity set can be purchased in my shops! Along with the free pieces, you get 3 wisemen, 2 shepherds, a palm tree, a small laying sheep, a donkey, an angel, and an instructions for a stars backdrop. The camel has not released yet, but all purchasers are eligible to receive an updated copy!
Where would you like to shop today?

Rustic Nativity Crochet-a-Long

Each year, due to popular demand, we do a nativity crochet-a-long and work on the nativity set together. This year is extra special because I have designed a new piece, a camel! The new camel will be released the week of the CAL (crochet along).

EXCITED FOR THE NATIVITY CAL?

Join our mailing list so you don’t miss anything!

When:
The Nativity CAL will begin Monday, Nov 13th, 2023.

How:
You can choose how much you want to be involved! You can work quietly and know others are working along with you all over the world, or you can join in each day, sharing your progress and commenting on the progress of others. It’s up to you!

Commenting and sharing will largely happen on my Facebook page, in the Facebook group, and for those wanting an extra special experience, you can join the Endless Makers community. All updates and daily projects for the CAL will be sent via email as well, so please subscribe to my email list here if you haven’t yet, so you don’t miss anything. .

What you need:
– suggested hook: Size E -F (3.5mm – 3.75mm) hook (The hook exact hook size doesn’t matter, just make sure your gauge is very tight, you shouldn’t be able to see stuffing or spaces between your stitches.
– Fingering Weight Yarn: I suggest Palette Yarn by WeCrochet. It’s my absolute favorite and I love the finished look! It is a 100% wool and has a gorgeous, rustic flair. I just love it and I only use this yarn for my sets, however, I understand if you want other options.
Right now, WeCrochet is offering a yarn bundle for 20% off! Grab your yarn bundle here.

I decided to simplify the color list this year. Here are the colors if you are using Palette: 1 skein of each will get you 2 or more sets.
– Briar Heather (Joseph’s clothes)
– Hare Heather (Manger)
– Bittersweet Heather (wiseman body, face)
– Oyster Heather (Angel, Shepherd cloak, Mary’s Cloak)
– Wheat Heather (faces, Camel)
– Marble Heather (Joseph’s Cloak, Mary’s body, Standing shepherd)
– Verdant Heather (tree, kneeling wiseman)
– Almond (tree trunk, shepherd body) 
– Gosling (Donkey)
– Pumice Heather (Donkey)
– Wonderland heather (optional, for Mary’s cloak if you want it blue)

ALTERNATIVE YARN: 
These are my suggestions for alternative yarns, I have NOT used these personally but I think they might make a good substitute if for any reason the suggested yarn doesn’t work for you. 

– Mix and match Bon-Bons
– WeCrochet Comfy Fingering
– Lion Brand Heartland (This is a larger gauge yarn but you can use the smallest hook you can, your pieces might be a big bigger) 
– WeCrochet Lindy Chain 
– Paintbox DK Cotton 
– Sheepjes Catona 

– Small Weights/washers/rocks: 
I highly recommend putting small weights in the bottom of each figure to help them stand up better. Some crocheters have used washers with great success. 

RUSTIC CROCHET NATIVITY SET – FREE CROCHET PATTERN

The full pattern includes 15 figures, but you can get the mini set (Mary, Joseph, Manger, Baby) for FREE in this blog post.

Palette Yarn Color List For Holy Family Mini Set (free patterns): 
Hare Heather (Manger, bottom of Joseph 
Oyster Heather – Mary Cloak, Baby Body
Briar Heather – Joseph Body 
Wheat Heather – Faces 
Marble Heather – Joseph Cloak, Mary Body

FREE NATIVITY SET PATTERNS

The free mini nativity set is available on my blog! Click each photo to see the pattern.

nativity shepherds free crochet pattern

three wisemen rustic crochet pattern free

Can’t wait to work through this Crochet nativity set with you!

xoxo,

crochet rustic nativity set free crochet pattern

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

400 Comments

  1. Hola Betania. Estoy haciendo el burrito (Donkey) y siguiendo los patrones tuyos que compré en diciembre. La figura no queda simétrica. Se va desplazando. Incluso las patas quedan ladeadas. ¿No habría que ir corrigiendo un punto de desplazamiento en cada vuelta a partir de un determinado momento?

  2. I have the original set of the Nativity, but need the animals. I have the wise men and the shepards, the manger and baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph and the Angel. Also has the star and the palm trees. Can I get a price on just the animals?

    1. Hi Carol! If you purchased the full set previously, you get all the updates for free! Send a screenshot of your receipt and I will get a copy to you :)
      Bethany at whistleandivy dot com

      1. I bought the set about three years or so ago and do not have a clue where the receipt is or if I even kept it. I’ve done a set (partial) for my granddaughter every year (Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus one year, shepards next year and this last year I did the wise men.) I really want to get her some animals to go with it. So, don’t mind paying for them but need to know how much.

        1. Would you please send me an email and let me know know which email email address you would have used to buy it? I can look through my records and see if I can find you.
          I don’t have a pattern that includes just animals, I only have the full set available.

  3. Hi! I started Mary’s head today! I have quite a tight tension when I crochet so I actually tried a 3.75 hook. I could see the holes especially where there were two sc in one stitch to increase. I bumped down to the 3.5, but you can still see the stuffing at the very bottom where you decrease using 8 sc tog. Is that going to be a problem since it’s going to attach to the body? Should I try to do the smaller hook just on those stitches? Or make the whole thing again with the smaller hook?

    1. No, that pattern is an old listing, and I don’t have access to update it myself on their website. It would be best to purchase it from the links on this page.

  4. Hi! I got your patterns for the nativity set. Working on the camel but I don’t really get what you mean for row 31 – how do you tack it down by working through the loops on your piece and the loops on the ch, do I go round the outside of the leg or just go across the dc stitch in the leg closest to row 31 or something else? Hope to hear from you soon!

    1. You are working through 2 layers, one is the regular stitch on the round, and the other is the very tip of the leg piece. This tacks it down in a shape that resembles an animal leg folded under itself.

  5. If I purchase the complete nativity set pattern today will it include the camel? If not maybe I should wait until it includes the camel …what do you suggest?

    1. Hi Susan! The camel is included but all future updates are included in your purchase! So whenever you buy it, you will get updates if/when a new figure is released :)

  6. I purchased the pattern on Etsy in November of 2022. How can I get an updated pattern that includes the donkey and camel? Thanks.

  7. I purchased the full pattern and see payment has processed through link. But I do not see the new pattern through an email link or to open on a new page. Where will the pattern come?

        1. I have links to both shops on this page, so it’s helpful to know which shop you used when searching for your purchase. Regardless, I was able to find you! I sent an email with the pattern uploaded. Sorry for the inconvenience!

  8. I purchased the yarn bundle from We Crochet. Pattern is not included and the pattern can be downloaded for free here Rustic Crochet Nativity Set. I’m now on your website, it says I have to pay $8.50 for the nativity patterns. I see Mary, Joseph, and baby free on blog, but I would prefer to have one download containing all the patterns. Where can I get a free download of the nativity as advertised on We Crochet?

    1. Hm, that is a mistake on their website, there is no free download, just the free patterns in-text on my website, and the full downloadable PDF for a fee. Thank you for letting me know about the mistake on their website, I will reach out to them to change it.

  9. I would like the camel pattern, I bought the yarn set and pattern on we crochet. How do I send you a copy of my receipt? looking forward to making this set! thank you!

  10. Hi there! I bought all of the yarn years ago when all the patterns were free during the CAL. I finally dug the yarn out & I’m starting my nativity! I noticed the yarn color list has been updated. I have Rooibos Heather & Ash instead of Gosling & Pumice Heather. Will the 2 colors I have work or should I buy the 2 new ones listed? Thanks so much!

    1. Hi Heather! Roobios is a dark reddish brown, I omitted it from this newest one because I used it only for one of the wisemen’s cloaks, and it seems like a waste to have a full skein that wasn’t used for multiple pieces. Ash is a true gray, I used it that one year because Marble Heather was hard to find, it was always sold out! Gosling and Pumice heather are lighter shades of gray that I used to make the donkey , so if you are just making the Holy Family, you don’t need those colors.

  11. Love this nativity! I ordered the yarn suggested at Wecrochet – Is it enough yarn for the Complete ALL figures or just the holy family? thanks