[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

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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?

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

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400 Comments

  1. I am loving the Nativity. It is super cute! I bought it in July from your Etsy shop. Where can I buy the camel pattern?

    Thank you again!
    Kristin

  2. This will be my fourth set! I can’t wait for the camel! I am concerned. Our email had to be changed because of a hacker. I have updated my new email with you, but I am concerned I won’t get the updated pattern. I purchased it, I think on Ravelry, because I think it is in my saved patterns. Will it update in ravelry? Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!

  3. I’ve never made anything 3D but I’ve been crocheting for over 20 years. Would this be a good set to start on or should I pick up some skills on a simpler project and then attempt this? I’m dying to make one for each of my sons and some family memebers but I don’t want to get frustrated and not be able to finish.

      1. Do you mean like a spiral? I do hats, blankets, scarves, dishcloths, etc.
        I have made a hat that is a “spiral” where you don’t slip-stitch and chain up.

        1. Hi Jessica! No, I mean the slip stitch and chain up. If you are comfortable with that technique, you should be able to do the basic nativity set :)

  4. I got the full set pattern years ago when you had it all free on the blog.. do you have an option to just purchase the donkey and camel?

    1. I am right there with you. I want to purchase but yeah I have all the parts but the new animals. My son laughed when I gave him a sheep I made. Was about 3 times bigger than the set. Oh well when I can afford it I guess I will have to bite the bullet.

  5. I need to add the donkey and camel to my pattern when available. I’ve made at least 15 complete sets for gifts over the years. I would love to keep adding. I’ve made mine using a .08 crochet hook. So beautiful! Ty. ❤️Francis

  6. Greetings from Michigan, Oh I’m so excited to see the camel will be coming soon & I have purchased the donkey last yr I plan on making this for myself when I retire like in 3 yrs but would love to start on it like now I totally love them!! Thank You so much for your hard work & offering us such cute adorable patterns. Finally found a Manger last yr from Joann’s or Hobby Lobby can’t wait to fill it up! Just wanted to say Good Morning & Thank You!
    Kris

  7. Hi, I previously ordered the set for this cute nativity and emailed you about getting the donkey and the camel. I have not heard back from you. Please let me know, I made 4 sets and want to add these to my sets. Thank you 😊

  8. Hello Beth, I LOVE the crochet Nativity set, it’s soooo cute. I bought the pattern on Etsy, will the camel pattern be updated there as well?

    1. Etsy doesn’t have a way for me to update it there, so you will need to send me an email with a screenshot of your receipt. Sorry for the inconvenience!

  9. The camel is so cute! Love that he has a saddle blanket. When I was in Jordan last year, it was so fun to see that a lot of the camels had hand crocheted saddle blankets so this detail really speaks to me.

    1. Hi Sandy! Thank you for kind words, this is so lovely to hear. I tried to make it as authentic as possible, without too being overly complicated. So fun to hear their saddles truly are crocheted!! So fun. What fiber did they use, something thicker than yarn?

  10. I’ve emailed a couple times to get the updated pieces (I purchased original set). Could you please tell me the correct email as I’ve gotten no reply? Thank you.

    1. Hi Dawn! Thanks for your comment, I searched through my emails and finally found yours in my spam folder🥴 I replied to your email with an updated pattern!

  11. Good afternoon,
    I purchased your beautiful nativity set last year. I’ve seen that you have added new pieces and are offered to purchasers. How do I get my copies? I’m super excited to add them to my existing scene!! Thank you, Jen

  12. It’s beautiful!! Do you have a video from this pattern Nativiti CAL I wish I could read but I can not do it.
    I wish you a beautiful day.
    Juanita

  13. Hi, I just bought the pattern from your whistle and ivy shop and I absolutely love the design! I’ve been eyeing it up all year and can’t wait to get started. I want to try making the wooden stable outline myself from wood and I was just wondering if there was anywhere I would be able to find rough measurements for it? Many Thanks.

  14. Hello there Beth,
    I purchased your gorgeous nativity some time ago and I have really enjoyed making it for friends.
    I’ve just noticed today online that you now have a little donkey as part of the scene.
    Could you please tell me how I could get the pattern for the donkey. I don’t want to have to buy the pattern again.
    Many thanks
    Jane

    1. Hi Jane! All updates are included in your original purchase! Please send me an email with your purchase email address and I can send you an updated pattern.
      Bethany (at) whistleandivy (dot) com

  15. Bethany
    I just read more of the comments below and the question about the purchase of a donkey pattern was already addressed.
    My question is I purchased the bundle in 2021 and do not know where the receipt would be, Is there another way to just purchase the donkey pattern?
    Thanks
    Anna

    1. Hi Anna! Reply to this comment email, I should be able to find your purchase receipt on my end. Do you remember where you bought it?