This beautiful rustic crochet nativity pattern 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. The mini set includes the Holy Family which is 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.
Don’t have time for the full nativity set? Make a Holy Family Ornament instead!
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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.
You’re tired of sifting through complicated tutorials and patterns that leave you feeling overwhelmed.
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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 set includes Mary, Joseph, Baby, and Manger. Keep scrolling to get these pattern FREE ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
RUSTIC CROCHET NATIVITY – CROCHET PATTERN
Along with the free pieces (Mary, Joseph, Baby, Manger, KEEP SCROLLING for links to these pieces), your full crochet nativity pattern includes 3 wisemen, 2 shepherds, palm tree, sheep, donkey, camel, angel, stars (simple instructions for making a star backdrop using dowel is included).
Rustic Nativity Crochet-a-Long
We took a year off, but this year I am back to hosting a nativity CAL, just in time for an extra piece!
This year I am paring it down a bit. As we add new pieces, the set keeps growing, which makes planning a CAL (without it lasting three weeks!) a bit tricky. Can you help me out? I’d love your vote on which format we should use for this year’s CAL.
NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR!
This year is extra special, because we have a new addition!
A sweet little cow!
This sweet lady is lying comfortably, her legs tucked under her, her tail relaxed. She looks onward at the precious commotion happening in her stable!
2025 NATIVITY CAL DETAILS
WHEN: December 1st – 5th, 2025
HOW: Email and Social media are the best ways to join!
⭐️ Join my email list to get CAL email updates
⭐️ Follow on Facebook here
⭐️ Join our Facebook Group
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.
– Weights or washers
– Polyfil Stuffing
NOTES ON THE YARN:
Here are the colors if you are using the suggested yarn Palette: 1 skein of each will get you 2 or more sets.
– Briar Heather (Joseph’s clothes)
– Hare Heather (Manger + NEW PIECE!)
– 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 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, or you can split the yarn and use half strands)
– WeCrochet Lindy Chain
– Paintbox DK Cotton
– Sheepjes Catona
DON’T MISS THE CAL!
Join our mailing list so you don’t miss anything!
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. Keep scrolling for links to each piece.
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 PATTERN LINKS
The mini nativity set is available for FREE on my blog! Click each photo below to see the patterns.
xoxo,
The donkey is a great addition to the nativity set. I love it! I’m excited to add it to my set.
Thank you so much!
Hi. How do I get the donkey as a stand alone. I have all the other patterns
I have the other patterns downloaded and saved on my pc but cannot see how I purchased them…
Hi Erica! You will need to email a proof of purchase and I can reply back with the pattern! If you got it on Ravelry, check your inbox I sent out an update already.
I love this nativity cal. I made several throughout the years but can’t find my patterns 😞 I am ready to make a new set! I’m not sure if I registered for the cal right! Are you selling this nativity pattern on Ravelry? I find it easier to access my patterns there. Thank you, Linda C
Hi Linda! Yes it’s on Ravelry, Etsy, and in my Whistle and Ivy shop.
I purchased the pattern on Etsy in Dec 2019.
How will I be able to get the update?
I have made this set in t-shirt yarn and it has been on display in an op shop window for the past 2 Christmases.
Please reach out to me via email during the CAL the week of Dec 5! Thank you!
Beth, I absolutely love the look of this set! I bought it last year, and it is almost ready to move in to the stable that hubby made. Will I be notified if other figures are added to the set? Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern.
Where did you buy it? I will send out a notice via email to everyone on my list, I will also send out a notice to everyone who bought into my shop, except those who opted out to be notified, and then on Ravelry all update emails go out automatically when I update it. I also post on Instagram and Facebook, so hopefully you will see it!
I’m 99% certain I purchased it through your site, though I can’t seem to access my account. Not to worry though, I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Thanks!
I bought it through Etsy.
Please send a screenshot of your receipt to my email: Bethany (at) whistleandivy (dot) com
Hi, Bethany!
Thank you for the wonderful pattern and the wonderful project.
I made 4 sets of ‘ Naitivity Set Mini ‘.
I live in Japan, so I’m not good at English. but I could understand the pattern and enjoyed crocheting, I think.
But the 13th row of Manger was hard to understand.
So, I’m looking forward to next month’s CAL. I would like to join！
Now, I’m going to start knitting the 5th set as a gift.
It will be a full set. This is a request from the kindergarten.
Before CAL, I’ll finish crocheting. So, I’ll crochet for myself at next month’s CAL.
I’m really looking forward to the new animal pattern.
Thank you!
Thank you Eiko! I hope you love the new pattern piece!
Oh my!! I am so excited to get started on this beautiful nativity set. (I just joined up for my first CAL). My best friend’s grand-daughter is obsessed with “crochets” and attends catholic school and I know she will absolutely LOVE Mary Joseph and Baby Jesus. I hope I have time to make myself one as well for my Christmas decor. Thanks so much!!
Hi there,
So excited to start this set!! Making one for my sister and one for myself. Just ordered the yarn!! Do you think one skein of each is enough for 2 sets?
Thank you
Yes!
Bethany,
Thank you so much for this beautiful nativity set. I have arthritis in my fingers so it’s very difficult for me to crochet tightly but I really want to make this for my grandaughter. I am on a fixed income and need to use the yarn I have. I don’t have the green that is suggested for the wise men. Do you think I would use a burgundy color instead? Thanks again for this beautiful pattern. Blessings to you & your family.
Hi Lisa! I think burgundy would be gorgeous. I used colors that I liked for me, but you should definitely use colors that work best for you :) Share a photo if you can!
I 💜 this pattern. This year I finally made the shepherds and wise men. The whole set is amazing and gorgeous. I tried the sheep, but I need to do some fine tuning. I was reading the comments about the dimensions of the crèche, but I never found them. Do you have those measurements? I was going to have my FIL make me one. I’m excited for the CAL. Thank you!!!
I would love to know the dimensions as well ❤️
Hi! The base is 12″ wide and the entire height is 10″
Thank you!
Hi, I am so excited that you created a new piece for the nativity set! I can’t wait to see what it is. To refresh your memory, I made the set for my grandson Carter last year. We were wanting to add a cow, donkey and camels. Carter is thinking it will be a cow. 🤞. 😂. We thank you for working so hard to create and share. Waiting and watching from Kansas. Thanks Susan
I’m excited to see the new item 😄😄 I started on manger baby Jesus & then Zlife got busy 😭 lol thank you for sharing hope you are doing well Mrs. Dearden much love 🤗
Thank you! I completely understand ❤️ Hugs!
Can’t wait! I’m crocheting all my adult children and their families these for Christmas this year.
Oh wow! They will love it!
I’d hoped to order a creche but will need to find one that can work. Would you be willing to share the measurements of the one you had available before? Thank you!
Yes I can! I am so sorry, our family life (and hubby’s new work schedule) is a bit chaotic this year, I was pretty sad when we concluded we wouldn’t have the time resources this year. But we have had so much demand that we will work on a bunch though next year and hopefully have a bunch for next season.
I need to dig mine out and give you measurements, please stand by!
Are you planning to add any new characters to the full set this year? This is one of my favorite sets, and I’ve made tons for friends and family. They are asking if there any new characters to add!
Hi Sara! SO glad to hear you love the pattern!
I am working on another animal, wish me luck!!
I’m so excited about your new piece! Do you have an estimate about the date it will appear? I have made your nativity for the last two years and have the pattern. Will we be able to purchase the pattern for the new piece separately if we already have the pattern? We are making a trip to Israel two days after Christmas and I would love to make a set for our leader.
Yes! We will be doing it the first week of Dec. I wanted to get closer before announcing it, and make sure I have the pattern polished.
You will get the new addition as part of your pattern purchase! I will send out an email with instructions to get a new updated copy when it launches.
Please, help! I purchased your complete pattern but don’t see any information on how much of each color to purchase for each figure.
joanie
Hi Joanie! You need only one of each color and you can get at least 2 sets.
What size are these pieces?
Joseph stands about 5″ tall
I love this pattern and have made the whole set for my niece who collects nativity sets from all over the world. I don’t understand the palm tree 🌴 instructions . I have made it and blocked the top but don’t understand the next part about slip stitching them together. Thank you
Thanks Debbie! Just line them up, join your yarn anywhere, and going through both loops on both layers, sl st all around.
Hi. Just love your nativity set. Is there a pattern for a donkey available? I have made some gor gifts and just wondering. Thank you
I don’t have a donkey, very sorry! I hope to add more animals next year!
Thank you for your beautiful pattern, I made one.
You are very welcome :) So glad you like it!