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Manger and Baby Jesus

November 21, 2020 by Bethany 35 Comments

Day Three of the Rustic Nativity CAL is actually incorporating two figures from last year. To get through all our figures, I will need to double up a few of them! Baby Jesus comes together rather quickly, and so does the manger.

I did a bit of research on what the manger would have looked like, and it turns out the wooden thing with straw poking out is historically inaccurate. A feeding trough from this time period would have possibly been made of stone with a hollowed out space in the top, and most likely rectangular in shape.

This is the depiction I was going after with this design. I hope you enjoy it!

MANGER AND BABY

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)
   [Oyster Heather, Wheat Heather,  Hare Heather]
– 3.5mm Hook
– Darning Needle
– Glue Gun 

Abbreviations: (American terms)
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Sc2tog- SC decrease
St – Stitch

Gauge: 12 sc = 2″

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Want just the nativity set (not my entire library pattern)? Get all the pattern in an ad-free PDF!
Where would you like to shop today?

Whistle and Ivy Shop
Ravelry
Etsy
 


MANGER

Bottom: (Hare Heather)

Ch 15. (ch 1 does NOT count)

1. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 13 sts. Turn. (14 sts)
2. – 10. Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in next 13 sts. Turn. (14 sts)
11. Turn 90 degrees clockwise so you can work down the raw edge. Hdc 2 more in same st (for a total of 3 sts in the corner). Hdc 8 down your raw edge. Hdc 3 in last st (making a corner). Hdc 12 times across the bottom. Hdc 3 in last st (making a corner). Hdc 8 up remaining raw edge. Work 3 hdc in last st, making a corner. Hdc 12 across top edge. Join with last sc from row 10. (51 sts)
(you have made a border of hdc around the rectangle). 
You will now be working in joined rounds.

12. Ch 1. Sc in back loop of first sc. Sc in third loop in each hdc around (third loop is located on the back of the hdc stitch). Join with a sl st (52 sts) 
13. – 17. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join with a sl st. (52 sts)
Break yarn. 

Top: (Hare Heather)
Ch 15. (ch 1 does NOT count)
1.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 13 sts. Turn. (14 sts)
2. – 10. Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in next 13 sts. Turn. (14 sts)
11. Turn 90 degrees clockwise. Hdc 2 more in same st (for a total of 3). Hdc 8 down your raw edge. Hdc 3 in last st (making a corner). Hdc 12. Hdc 3 in last st. Hdc 8 down raw edge. 3 hdc in last st, making a corner. Hdc 12 across top edge. Join with last sc from row 10. (51 sts)
12. Ch 1. Sc in back loop of first st. Sc in third loop in each hdc around. Join with a sl st (52 sts) 
(third loop is the loop on the back of a hdc st). 
13. – 14. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join with a sl st. (52 sts)
Don’t break yarn. Place a few small stones or beads in the bottom of the manger. You can also add a bit of stuffing, but don’t over stuff or the manger top will lose it’s shape.

Set the top manger piece inside the bottom piece, on top of the rocks and stuffing, lining up the last row of the top piece with the last row of the bottom piece. Using the loop from the last stitch on the top piece, work a row of sl sts around the top, going through both the top piece and bottom piece.

Manger

BABY

Begin with Wheat Heather.
Start with a Magic Ring.
1. Ch 1. Sc 9 into ring. Join. (9 sts)
2. Ch 1. Sc in same st. *Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next st* work 4 times. Join. (13 sts)
3. – 5. Ch 1. Sc in each st. Join. (13 sts)
6. Ch 1. *Sc2tog. Sc in next st* work 3 times. Sc2tog twice. Join. (8 sts)
Join Oyster Heather.
7. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st around. Join. (16 sts)
8. – 16. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join. (16 st)
Pause and stuff.
17. Ch 1. Sc2tog 8 times. Join. (8 sts)
Break yarn, leave a tail.
Use the tail to sew up the small remaining hole.

Holy family is complete! 

This darling mini set makes a wonderful gift. These small figures can be worked up quickly!

Want the whole set? You can get additional figures (2 shepherds, 3 wisemen, an angle, a palm tree, a sheep, and a stars backdrop.)
Where would you like to shop today?


Whistle and Ivy Shop
Ravelry
Etsy

xoxo,

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Cecilia says

    November 20, 2020 at 5:46 am

    Hi Beth!! I’m super excited starting this project. What does it mean Hdc? Tks!
    Cheers from Chile!!!

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      November 20, 2020 at 10:17 am

      Hi Cecilia! HDC means half double crochet :)

      Reply
  2. Tammy says

    November 4, 2020 at 2:14 am

    Hi Bethany, I have just bought your pattern and am starting to make Joseph.
    Can you please explain what you mean by “Sc in same st” after Ch 1? And how do you “Join” when you finish that row?
    Thanks very much!

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      November 4, 2020 at 7:40 am

      Hi Tammy!
      This is not worked in a spiral, it’s worked in joined rows. So work a ch 1, then look below the ch 1 and notice the first st of the round. That is where you will work your first st. Then, once each st has been worked into, you will join with a sl st with the first st of the round.

      Reply
      • Tammy says

        November 6, 2020 at 1:07 am

        Thanks so much for your quick reply Bethany! It’s working well for me now :)

        Reply
  3. Cindy says

    December 16, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    I have no idea how to put together the two pieces of the manger. Could you send me a link to a video for the manger? I bought the pattern so I thought that would help, but I cannot get it to look like your example. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      December 16, 2019 at 6:54 pm

      There is no video Cindy, I am sorry! I would love to try and help. The smaller piece simply nests inside the taller piece and you sl st the tops together.

      Reply
  4. Shannon Tamlyn says

    December 15, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    Hello again! I’m confused about the end of row 10 onto 11. I’m left handed so I know to turn clockwise. At the end of row 10 do I turn or just go clockwise and continue down the raw edge? Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      December 16, 2019 at 10:21 am

      Yes! You are essentially just working a border of hdc all around the rectangle.

      Reply
  5. Faith says

    December 13, 2019 at 7:33 am

    Hi Beth. I got stuck at row 11 of the manger. May I know how do I hdc down the raw edge? Do I use the loops? I can’t seem to find the loops. Do I need to go a row down the “loops”? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      December 13, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      There are no loops, just find somewhere to put your hook and try to make it as even as possible.

      Reply
      • Faith says

        December 13, 2019 at 5:41 pm

        I see. Thank you. By the way, did you get to work out the issue in row 4 of the angel’s wings? (comment posted on the angel page)

        Reply
    • Adelina Lopez says

      December 11, 2020 at 9:54 pm

      Hi Beth, don’t understand how 11 , I’m a beginner. I was able to make Mary and Joseph. Thanks

      Reply
      • Adelina Lopez says

        December 11, 2020 at 9:55 pm

        Oops working on the manger row 11

        Reply
        • Bethany says

          December 11, 2020 at 10:46 pm

          You are working a “frame” around your rectangle so you eliminate the raw edges and can now work all around in joined rows.

          Reply
  6. Angie H. says

    December 12, 2019 at 5:46 pm

    Is the top of the manger wrong side up when you stitch it inside the bottom?

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      December 13, 2019 at 4:57 pm

      No the are both right side up (sides going up, like a little rectangular tray), the top piece nests into the bottom piece.

      Reply
  7. Mary says

    November 16, 2019 at 7:54 pm

    On line 12 of the top of the manger…it is hdc correct, not dc?

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      November 17, 2019 at 6:00 pm

      Row 12 or 11? Row 12 is worked in SC and row 11 is working in hdc

      Reply
      • Sarah Little says

        December 8, 2019 at 3:37 pm

        On the bottom of the manger step 12, what do you mean by in the third loop in each dc around?

        Reply
        • Bethany says

          December 9, 2019 at 10:56 am

          It’s a loop on the back of a hdc stitch.

          Reply
  8. Elissa says

    October 23, 2018 at 2:17 am

    Hi, loving this pattern, thanks! Though I have a question. I do remember seeing somewhere that you made another pattern for the manger? And see others have found it. But I can’t find the pattern, Is there a link you could send me or maybe tell me where I might find it?
    Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      October 23, 2018 at 8:19 am

      You want the old version? You can find it here:
      https://www.whistleandivy.com/nativity-cal-manger/

      Reply
      • Jean says

        November 14, 2019 at 12:57 pm

        Bethany it’s still linking to the newer pattern.

        Reply
        • Bethany says

          November 16, 2019 at 9:12 am

          Yes, I have since updated everything. The older version is gone! But the newer version looks the exact same but uses less confusing instructions, so there is no need for the older version!

          Reply
  9. Lisa says

    March 10, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    Hi, I’d lilke to buy this pattern on Ravelry, but I see it was published Nov 2016. And from this blogpost, I see that you have adjusted the pattern to make it easier. Are these adjustments reflected in the Ravelry pattern? I’d like to know please, otherwise I will just use these free updated blogposts. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      March 11, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      Yes the revelry pattern is updated!

      Reply
  10. Chrissie says

    December 18, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    I’ve made half dozen nativity sets in #10 crochet thread, which makes very loose looking stitches, no matter the tension. So for the manger on row 13 I’ve had to sc2tog at each corner (48 st) to cinch up my corners. It turned out well I’m happy to report (didn’t need to reduce when I used regular yarn).

    Reply
  11. Gaye Brandon says

    November 16, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    I wish you would put a video on of the actual crocheting of the manger.
    In row 11 don’t you actually go anti -clockwise . I’m not sure how to sc in the third loop in each hdc
    around

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      November 17, 2017 at 12:39 am

      Yes, you go counter clockwise, but that is the way you would normally work, unless you are left handed. The third loop is the loop behind the two loops. It makes a nice corner, but if it’s keeping you from finishing, you can simply work in the back loop instead.

      Reply
      • Gaye Brandon says

        December 15, 2017 at 5:18 am

        Thanks,I managed to do the new manger pattern far more easily,looks more like your now. Appreciate it.
        Gaye

        Reply
  12. Josie Rodriguez says

    November 16, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    how to down load these nativity patterns.

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      November 17, 2017 at 12:41 am

      You can get the PDF on Ravelry:
      https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nativity-set-7

      Reply
  13. Briar says

    November 15, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Love this! Quick question, for the manger in row 11 are we meant to ch 2 first for the corners as the pattern says ( turn 90 degrees, hdc 2 more in the same st for a total of 3) just wondering where the 3rd hdc comes from.
    Oh and you have missed the h off the hdc in row 12 of the top.

    Thanks so much for creating such and easy pattern!!

    Reply
    • Bethany says

      November 15, 2017 at 11:16 pm

      So there isn’t 3 hdc, there are 3 sts, because the last sc of the row, and then you work an additional 2 hdc in same stitch.

      Reply

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