[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.
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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?
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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.
Can’t wait to work through this Crochet nativity set with you!
xoxo,
I have had so much fun working on these figures! I had a bit of trouble with the turban and fez cap – are there any video tutorials for them? My set isn’t nearly as perfect as yours but my friend will love it!
Thank you for the creative patterns and easy to follow instructions!
Just purchased the pattern for the entire set and ordering yarn now. Will 1 skein of each color be enough?
Hi Mary! Yes you can get two sets with one skein of each color.
On Joseph…row 23….work in 3rd loop? I don’t understand 🙁 Help please ?
🤪
Third look is a loop on the back of the hdc stitch
Ohhhhhhhh….thank you sooo much 👍😊
You’re welcome!
I’m trying to get started with Joseph,, I’m using #3.5 hook with palette wool I can’t seem to be able to do magic ring,can you help me
Alternately you can just ch 2 and work all the stitches in that first chain, if that is easier.
If I purchase the yarn only for the mini set (Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph) do you think I will get more than one set out of it?
Yes! You so should be able to get two, possibly three. It’s been a while since I made multiple mini sets but I think I possibly got 3 sets, especially if you are willing to mix and match colors.
Thanks! I grabbed 2 of each yarn just in case!
Sounds good! I hope you love it!
Loving it so far! Finished Baby Jesus and manger yesterday and just finished Mary today.
I just purchased this pattern and when I went to download it, it was gobbaliy gook. What am I doing wrong. It says my download has expired. Please help
Hi sherri! Did you buy it on Etsy or in my shop?
Off of Etsy I believe thru papal
Hello! Can you send me an email so we can discuss your personal details so I can find your transaction? Thank you! Send it to Bethany (at) whistleandivy (dot) com
Bethany, I think I ordered the pattern from your site. But while I was looking at my ravelry account I purchased your pattern in November 2020. I knew it looked familiar. I just paid 6.99 from PayPal a couple of days ago. I really am looking forward to al the new animal patterns in the future. Please keep me updated so I can add them to my collection.
Hi, would it be possible to use your pattern in an amigurumi style rather than with the join and sc1 style? Would I achieve the same result? Many thanks.
Yes! It may lean a bit as it’s a spiral shape instead of straight rows, but many crocheters opt to do it that way with great results.
I just bought this pattern and am stuck, in the stitch list it says Double but if I am reading the pattern right it is calling for half double? Is that right?
Hi Trista! Which pattern and which step are you working on?
I would like to make the free set but missed your class online. Is there a way to see your steps. I am beginning to crochet and am not sure if I am doing it right.
Hi Heather! I don’t have any videos available for the nativity set at this time. Very sorry!
I’ve tried different rocks and stones in the bottom of the figurines, but I’m still not satisfied. You say you recommend small weights. Can you tell me what small weights you use? Thank you so much!
I used rocks for my figures. Others have recommended washers or those glass stones with flat bottoms (not sure what they are called!), they are in the floral aisle of the craft store.
I was having problems too but found some washers at the hardware store and they worked great.
Hi Bethany. I loved making this set last year and I have been asked to make it for other people. I can’t do it for nothing. What would be a fair price for Mary, Joseph, Baby, Wise Men and 2 shepherds? Thanks for your help.
How long does it take you to make them? I would do at least 15$ per figure, they are very time consuming and take me at least an hour or more per figure.
Does these patterns come in paper or is it all on line? I would like to order this in paper reading form.
Thank you Sandy Killinger
Hi sandy! I am very sorry, I don’t sell paper copies.
Hi Bethany it’s me (Marje) again lol. Please disregard and delete my other comment. I commented and immediately went to the pattern, only to see your lovely explanation of how to finish off the turban! I don’t know how I missed it before! Think it’s an age thing :(
Hi Marje! So glad you found it and figured it out :) Happens to me all the time actually, so I doubt its an age thing! I thing having kids has ruined a lot of my brain cells LOL
Did you have a donkey in the set at one time? I started my set in 2017 and I cant find any of the original patterns.
Sorry Annett! I only have a sheep pattern at this time. The freebie patterns include Joseph, Mary, Manger and Baby. The rest of the set is available in the pattern download:
https://whistleandivy.podia.com/rustic-nativity
How long does it take to get the yarn? I have the pattern but have not received the yarn.
I am not sure on your specific order, all my orders have been about 2 weeks. You may need to reach out to Wecrochet or Knitpicks (is that where you ordered from?) to see if there are any issues with your order.
I don’t remember the name. It was on the same page as your pattern.
I made the 3 main figures of this a couple of years ago. Pattern is easy to follow. I did however, use yellow scrubby yarn inside the manger to look like Jesus was laying in straw. Came out great!
So glad you like it! Thank you!
Thank you I’m making this I’m memory of my son Kevin who was killed on 11/11 w2020 us year in Lansing mi and dumped on a street .the investigation is still going on. This will give me peace.. The Lord is Good.thank you
So very sorry for you loss Karen, that is absolutely horrific.
Thank you ,Kevin was my youngest son of 7 children and had special needs. He believed in Christ and is with the Lord . He Love the outdoors a lot and Loved to help others to and Loved his nice’s and nephews dearly . He will be missed.
Thank you for sharing a bit about him with me. My prayers are with you and your family. ❤️
Is Marble Heather blue in person? I want mine to look like yours with a Blue Mary but the wool on my computer just looks grey
Thanks!
Hi Mary! No, it’s a true Heather gray, not blue.
Could you please share what wool was used for Mary’s body and Joseph’s head garment? Thanks
I used Marble Heather.
There is no way you used Marble Heather for Mary’s body in the nativity for those pictures! That color is definitely blue in the pictures. Not gray in the least bit. I agree with the previous commenter and would like to know what we can buy that matches that blue body.
I definitely used Marble heather. There is no reason for me to purposely mislead you. I meant for this set to be neutral and rustic, so I wouldn’t have chosen blue for Joseph’s cloak. I am not a professional photographer and editor, but I try my best. But I can see if I can re-edit the photos and make the white balance less cool so they look less blue. Very sorry for the inconvenience.
I’d I buy the wools listed as “for Holy Family Mini Set”
Is “Marble Heather—Joseph Cloak, Mary Body” blue? On my screen it looks grey. Is that the wool that you used for the example?
Thanks!
Yes, its gray! Not blue, sorry!
I used Palette Ciel (a country blue) which looks awesome, because I liked it better than the grey.
I saw someone had posted a sheep with your pattern. I bought the pattern last year but no sheep. Is there a new pattern I missed/
Yes, I update the patterns will new figures, but unless you bought it on Ravelry I can’t automatically get and update to you. Can you send me an email please? With your email and which site you purchased and I can get you an updated copy. Thanks!