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!
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.
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,
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
Send me an email! All updates are included when you purchase the pattern once at any time :)
Thank you!!!! Not sure where to email you.
My email address is below
You should have received an email with your comment reply. You can just reply to that email with your Etsy receipt and I will send the pattern!
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!
Yes I will update Ravelry! Would you like me to update your email? Is it the ca******g52 you used here?
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.
Hi Jessica! Have you make anything in joined rows before?
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.
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 :)
Thanks!!
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?
Not at this time, very sorry!
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.
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
That is wonderful! Please reach out to me to week of Nov 13 with a photo of your receipt and I will get you and updated copy!
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
Hello Kris! Thanks so much for reaching out, I hope you find the time! Thank you for your kind words!
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 😊
Hi Linda! The camel is being released on Nov 13 :)
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?
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!
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.
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?
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.
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!
Thanks so much. Got it. Printed and working on the sweet donkey!
Great, you are welcome!
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
Hi Jennifer! Absolutely I can help! Send me an email with your receipt and I can get it to you!
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
Thank you Juanita! It has been on my to-do list for a very long time, but I don’t have any videos right now. I am sorry!
Thanks for reply my comment.
a big hug from Denmark
Juanita
You are very welcome!
Where do I find the pattern. I just purchased it, but see no link to view it.
Hi Amy! Where did you buy it?
Hi how do I get the nativity scene please thank you. Karen A gakadams791@gmail.com. I want to make it in memory of my son, who wwa a special need child and was killed a couple years ago. Thank you for healing reasons thank you again .
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.
It says this is a free pattern, but I can’t find it. Where can I find it for free?
Scroll down where is says “FREE Nativity Mini Set Patterns” and there are links to Mary, Joseph, Baby and Manger
I can edit it to make it more conspicuous!
Also, may you please email me the donkey update? Purchased from your site store.
Hi Beth Ann! You can make 3 sets with the suggested yarn, and if you log in where you bought the pattern, you can download the newest version.
How many skeins make how many of each character, please?
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
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
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
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?