This free crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern turns a ball of green yarn into the quirkiest little ornament on the tree: a bumpy little gherkin with a red bow, a tiny stem and a gold hanging loop. The pickle is worked in the round with simple single crochet, and its famous bumps are just easy bobble stitches scattered over the surface. The whole ornament takes about an hour — and hides beautifully in the branches, which is exactly the point, as you will see below.
The Christmas pickle is a beloved German-American tradition: a pickle ornament is hidden deep in the tree, and the first person to find it on Christmas morning gets good luck for the coming year — or an extra gift. A handmade crochet pickle makes the game even better: unbreakable, safe around children and pets, and soft enough to hide anywhere.
The finished pickle measures about 10 cm (4 inches) long and 4 cm (1.5 inches) wide, not counting the loop. It is worked from the bottom up in one piece, stuffed as you go, then finished with a dark green stem cap. Add the optional mini Santa hat if you want your pickle dressed for the party.
Materials
- Worsted-weight yarn in bright green (about 20 g), plus a little dark green for the stem cap
- Small amounts of red and white yarn (optional, for the mini Santa hat)
- A tiny red ribbon bow, or red yarn to crochet one
- Gold cord or metallic thread for the hanging loop
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needle, scissors and a stitch marker
Step 1: Start the Pickle Body
Start your crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern at the bottom of the pickle, in bright green yarn. Make a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it. Then increase evenly: 12 stitches in round 2, 18 in round 3 and 24 in round 4, spacing the increases so the bottom stays round instead of hexagonal. Work rounds 5 and 6 plain, 24 single crochets in each. You now have a neat little green cup — the rounded bottom of your gherkin — and the widest part of the pickle is set.
Step 2: Shape the Pickle Body
A real gherkin is long and gently tapered, so the middle of this crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern is worked straight before the top narrows. Keep crocheting rounds of 24 single crochets until the body is about 6 cm (2.5 inches) tall, alternating plain rounds with the bobble rounds from the next step. Work tightly: a firm fabric keeps the stuffing hidden and gives the pickle its crisp silhouette. Add a handful of stuffing once the body is half built, and top it up as you go.
Step 3: Add the Bumpy Bobble Texture
The bumps are the soul of this crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern, and they are just bobble stitches: yarn over and pull up a loop five times in the same stitch, then pull through all the loops at once so the stitch pops out of the fabric. Work a bump round like this: (3 single crochets, 1 bobble) 6 times — your count stays at 24 because each bobble counts as one stitch. Follow it with one plain round. On the next bump round, offset the bobbles — start with 2 single crochets, work a bobble, then (3 sc, 1 bobble) 5 times and finish with 1 single crochet — so the bumps stagger like the warts on a real gherkin. Three bump rounds separated by plain rounds give the perfect pickle texture.
Step 4: Close the End and Add the Stem Cap
To taper the top of the crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern, decrease evenly: (2 sc, dec) 6 times takes you to 18 stitches, one plain round follows, then (1 sc, dec) 6 times takes you to 12, and 6 decreases close you to 6. Stuff firmly before the opening gets too small, fasten off, and pull the tail through the last 6 stitches to close. For the stem cap, work a tiny dark green disc — 6 single crochets in a magic ring, then (1 sc, inc) 3 times for 9 stitches — plus a short 5-stitch tube for the stem. Sew the cap over the closed top with the stem standing up in the centre.
Step 5: Add the Bow and the Mini Santa Hat
Now dress your pickle. Tie a tiny red ribbon bow and sew it just under the stem cap, or crochet a quick bow from red yarn. For the optional mini Santa hat, work a small red cone in the round — start with 4 single crochets in a magic ring and increase by 2 stitches every second round until you have 12 stitches — then finish with two plain rounds in white for the brim and a tiny white pom on the tip. Perch the hat over the stem at a jaunty angle and secure it with a few hidden stitches. This crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern looks adorable with or without the hat.
Step 6: Add the Hanging Loop and Hide Your Pickle
Thread a length of gold cord through the stem cap, tie it into a loop of about 8 cm (3 inches), and hide the knot under the cap. Give the pickle a gentle squeeze to even out the stuffing. Your crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern is complete! Hang it deep inside the tree where only sharp eyes will spot it, and let the hunt begin. It also looks wonderful tied to a wrapped gift or given away with a note explaining the tradition.
Tips for a Perfect Pickle Ornament
- Stagger the bobbles. Offsetting each bump round by two stitches is the difference between a real gherkin texture and neat polka-dot rows. Push every bobble to the front with your fingertip as you finish it.
- Stuff in layers. Add a little stuffing every few rounds instead of all at the end — a pickle stuffed in layers keeps its smooth tapered shape, with no lumps.
- Go down a hook size if you see stuffing. If your stitches gap, switch from the 3.5 mm hook to a 3.0 mm — tight stitches are what make amigurumi ornaments look professional.
FAQ
What is the Christmas pickle tradition?
The Christmas pickle is a German-American holiday tradition: a pickle-shaped ornament is hidden in the tree, and the first child (or guest) to find it on Christmas morning receives good luck for the year ahead — or an extra gift. Nobody is quite sure whether the custom truly began in Germany or in America, but families have loved the game for generations.
How long does this crochet pickle ornament take to make?
About one hour for an experienced beginner. The body is simple single crochet in the round, and the bobbles become quick once you have worked the first few.
What yarn is best for a crochet christmas pickle ornament pattern?
A smooth worsted-weight acrylic or cotton yarn in bright green works best, because the bobble bumps stay crisp. Avoid fuzzy yarns: they hide the gherkin texture that makes this ornament read as a pickle. For yarn inspiration, Yarnspirations has a wide range of worsted-weight greens.
Can I make the pickle bigger or smaller?
Yes. For a bigger pickle, use chunky yarn with a 5 mm hook, add one more increase round (30 stitches) and a few extra body rounds. For a mini pickle, use DK yarn with a smaller hook and skip one bump round. If you enjoyed this make, try our crochet ugly sweater ornament pattern next — another cheeky little ornament with a story to tell.
Conclusion
This little pickle is proof that the best Christmas traditions are the playful ones. One hour, a few scraps of green yarn and six easy steps give you an unbreakable, hide-anywhere ornament that starts a brand-new family ritual. Download the free printable PDF pattern below, make a whole jar of pickles in different greens, and share your finished ornaments — we would love to see where yours ends up hiding!
