Welcome back to the 2023 Rustic Nativity CAL! Today we will complete the holy family and make Joseph.

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! 

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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: Not important, make sure your stitches are tight enough that you can’t see stuffing or spaces between the stitches – Joseph Stands approx. 5″ tall

READY TO MAKE THE FULL SET?

The mini set (Joseph, Baby, Mary) are FREE! The full set includes a sheep, camel, donkey, wisemen, shepherds, stars, angel, and palm tree and is available in my shops:


Notes: Ch 1 does not count. Work the first st in the same st as the chain. Always join with the first st, not the chain. :

HEAD:
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, work 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
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. 

crochet nativity Joseph cloak free crochet pattern

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 something, so I am nipping that in the bud). 

You can also finish Joseph by tying a length of yarn around his waist. 

Get all the patterns on the main page here. 




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50 Comments

  1. I and thinking of purchasing the yarn for the nativity scene. I am wondering what color you used for Joseph’s head cover? It looks blue but you state you used Blair Heather. Which on my screen looks like a tan. I really like the blue but am not sure which color it is. delta looks more like the color you used?
    Thanks
    Lori

    1. Hi Lori! I used Briar Heather for the body, that is the brown color. I used Marble Heather for the Cloak, it’s not blue, its at true gray. Sorry for any confusion!