Hey all! I am so so excited to be doing the Nativity CAL again this year!
Due to popular demand, it’s official a yearly tradition! Today, for day one we will start with Joseph. The pattern for Joseph is the base pattern for a few of the other characters as well, so once you master him, the others will be a piece of cake for you.
I saw a few creative variations in the Facebook Group last year for Joseph and I took a few of them to heart. A tie around his waist and a variation in color adds a lot! THANK YOU for your inspiration!
CROCHET NATIVITY – JOSEPH
Please remember: You are free to use this pattern to make and sell, but do not republish or distribute this pattern in any way. DO NOT use my photos in your listings. Please do share my blog links! It’s a quick and FREE way of supporting Whistle and Ivy and more free crochet patterns in the future.
PLEASE read my Disclaimer before working my free patterns!
What you need: (affiliate links)
-Fingering Weight Yarn (Palette Yarn)
[Briar Heather, Wheat Heather, Marble Heather (or Ash) , Bittersweet Heather, Hare Heather]
– 3.5mm Hook
– Darning Needle
Abbreviations: (American terms)
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Sc2tog- SC decrease
St – Stitch
Gauge: 12 sc = 2″ – Joseph Stands approx. 5″ tall
Want the whole set? Get the entire nativity in an ad-free PDF!
Where would you like to shop today?
Whistle and Ivy Shop
Etsy
Ravelry
The PDF is also included in my All-access pass pattern library, the Endless Bundle! Get my entire library of patterns, videos and courses! See you on the inside!
⭐️ LEARN MORE ⭐️
Joseph:
Head: (ch 1 does NOT count)
Use Wheat Heather
Magic Ring
1. Ch 1. Sc 8 in ring. Join(8 sts)
2. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st. Join. (16 sts)
3. Ch 1. Sc in same st. *Sc in next 2 sts, for 2 sc in next st* work 5 times. Join. (21 sts)
4. – 6. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (21 sts)
7. Ch 1. Sc in next 3 sts. *Sc2tog. Sc in next 2 sts* work 4 times. Sc2tog. Join. (16 sts)
Stuff Head.
8. Ch 1. Sc2tog 8 times. Join. (8 sts)
9. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (8 sts)
Join Briar Heather
Body:
1. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st. Join. (16 sts)
2. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (16 sts)
3. Ch 1. *Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Join. (20 sts)
4. – 7. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (20 sts)
8. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same st. Sc in next 9 sts. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 9 sts. Join. (22 sts)
9. – 11. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (22 sts)
12. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same st. Sc in next 10 sts. 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 10 sts. Join. (24 sts)
13 – 14. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (24 sts)
15. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same st. Sc in next 11 sts. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 11 sts. Join. (26 sts)
16. – 18. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (26 sts)
Join Hare Heather
19. – 21. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (26 sts)
22. Ch 1. Hdc in each st around. Join. (26 sts)
23. Work in Third Loop:
Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc2tog. *Sc in next st. Sc2tog* work 7 times. Sc in next 2 sts. Join. (18 sts)
Stuff. Place small stones or weights.
24. Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc2tog. *Sc in next st. Sc2tog* work 5 times. Join. (12 sts)
25. Ch 1. Sc2tog 6 times. Join. (6 sts)
Break yarn, leave a long tail. Sew the small remaining hole shut with tail.
Cloak:
Use Marble Heather or Ash
Magic Ring
1. Ch 1. Sc 10 in ring. Join. (10 sts)
2. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st. Join (20 sts)
3. Ch 1. *Sc in next 2. Work 2 sc in next st* work 6 times. Sc in next 2 sts. Join (26 sts)
4. – 5. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join (26 sts)
Join Bittersweet Heather.
6. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join (26 sts)
Pull up Marble Heather (or Ash)
7. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join (26 sts)
You will be working the back, with will be turning, instead of working all around the circle.
8. Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc in next 15 sts. Sc2tog. Turn. (17 sts)
9. Ch 1. Sc in next 17 sts. Turn. (17 sts)
10. Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc in next 13 sts. Sc2tog. Turn (15 sts)
11. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Turn (15 sts)
12. Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc in next 11 sts. Sc2tog. Turn (13 sts)
13. Ch 1. Sc in each st. (13 sts)
Break yarn. Weave in tail.
The ends of the cloak tend to curl a tad, so you can wet block it if you need. I secured it to Joseph’s head with a small dab of hot glue in each bottom corner (I know my kids will play with all the accessories and undoubtedly lose someting, so I am nipping that in the bud).
You can also finish Joseph by tying a length of yarn around his waist. Tomorrow we make Mary!
Get all the patterns on the main page here.
Want to opt-in and get email notifications? Join my email list!
I made this set for myself last winter while I was recovering from major surgery. I absolutely love it. I did it in gingerbread colors and it turned out beautiful.
Sounds wonderful!! I hope you are fully recovered this year!
Loving this so much. This is my first project using anything other than chunky yarn and I didn’t realize how tiny fingering yarn was until it arrived. It’s been a challenge getting use to the small hook and tiny yarn but I am getting there and have just finished Joseph. Thank you so much for this pattern. My nana is going to love it!
Hello again! For rows 4 and 5 for Joseph’s cloak should I do Ch1 in the beginning of each row?
Yes! sorry about that.
Thank you! You’re so talented! I love how easily Joseph worked up. I’m gifting this set to my mother who could definitely use some Christmas spirit. Thanks again and happy holidays!
You are so welcome! I am so happy you like it!
Hello! Thanks a million for making and sharing these beautiful patterns! I have a question about Joseph. In row 22 do I still join at the end of that round?
Yes you will join.
I’m loving this CAL. Could you tell me where you purchased the simple wood frame stable? I completes the rustic look so well.
Thank you
Yes! It’s called JJLadells, I have a link on the main CAL page.
Stones aren’t in the materials list. I’m confused what these are and what they are for. Thanks for the excellent patterns and the help!
They are used to weight down the figure so it’s stands better.
They are in the main CAL materials list
Are all of the sc’s in row 23 supposed to be worked in the 3rd loop?
Yes, work the entire row in 3rd loop.
What does that mean, “in the third loop”?
The third loop is the loop on the back of the stitch, behind the two loops on the top.
What brand yarn did you use?
I have a link in the materials list!
Oh, thank you so much! I so want to make this nativity set. This will help teach my 2 year old grandson how baby Jesus was born and the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing this.
You are welcome!
Hi Bethany! I love this nativity! I have a question though. For the head, once you’ve completed a round you join and then to start the next round, chain one and then single crochet…Do you begin the SC in the same stitch? Like in the stitch you joined to, or in the following stitch?
If you are not counting the chain as the first st (which the pattern doesn’t) you will work the first st in the same st as the Chaim. Does that make sense?
I just finished Joseph tonight! I used a 1″ glass cabochon to stabilize the bottom and it worked very well! This is a simple and easy to understand pattern. Thank you for helping bring the true meaning of Christmas into our homes.
Thank you Stacey! That is a great idea!
Is there a reason you chose to join each round rather than working continuously? I’m not wild a out the crooked seam it produces.
So the bottom would be flat and not slanted at an angle. You can definitely do continuous rounds for your pieces.
Finished Joseph last night :) I have been wanting a nativity set that our kids can play with ever since our oldest was born…9 years ago lol
Patiently waiting for Mary :D
Yay! They will love it :)
Hi! I love this idea! My question is in the body, 22. and 23. – hdc is half double crochet, right? So when you say, ‘work in third loop’, for some reason I am confused with this? Can you elaborate please and thank you so much for all of these patterns!!
Hello! it’s the loop behind the 2 loops on top, at the back of the stitch.
Bethany, this is where I’m stuck, too. So we are to work on the ‘back’ third loop so the V’s we would normally use to stitch will be turned in and will not show, correct? Sorry for the question, but I’m new at this. Thank you for your help.
No the back loop is farthest from you, so the v’s will still be facing toward you. Doe that make sense? You won’t turn your work, just flip your project down a bit to see the back of the stitch, but you still want the front of the stitches facing you.
For Joseph’s cloak, the end of round 6 says to pull up ash gray. Ash gray is not on the list of colors needed for Joseph. Did you continue the cloak in the marble heather or the ash gray?
Typo! Sorry! It should be Marble Heather
Love this set!
Thank you!
Oh, thank you so much! I so want to make this nativity set. When my children were small, we made little figures from papier mache and dressed them in little pieces of material and silver paper from cigarette packets. This brings back the joy and excitement we had in preparing for Christmas. My kids are all grown up now and far away. They will be together for Christmas and I would like to send them this set all crocheted. They all have blankets I made for them too. Regards and thanks Julia Fraser
Aw, that is so fun! I love the idea of making them together as a family. They will love their little sets, I am sure!