Free knitting patterns for nativity, Santa Claus, reindeer, elves, snowmen, gingerbread men, and other softies and toys for Christmas holidays. Most patterns are free. Updated 11/7/24
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These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Santa and Sleigh With Reindeer
Santa's reindeer knit flat on two needles. There's also a matching Santa and Sleigh pattern. Size: Santa is 20cm/8 inches tall, Sleigh 12cm/5 inches high, Reindeer about 18cm/7 inches tall. DK weight yarn. Designed by Kaz kew.
- Get the free Santa and Sleigh knitting pattern
- Get the free Reindeer knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
Nativity Set
Includes instructions for knitting Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Manger, Three Kings, Angel, Shepherd, Sheep, Donkey, and Camel. Also includes a template to create your own stable background. Sizes: The adult doll figures are 4.5” / 11 cm tall, Jesus in Manger is 2.75” / 4 cm long, Sheep is 1.5” / 4 cm tall, and Camel and Donkey are 3.25” / 8 cm tall. Most pieces are knitted flat (back and forth) on a pair of straight knitting needles. Uses just small amounts of yarn so it's great for stashbusting! Designed by Amanda Berry.
Rudy and Belle Reindeer Toys
Adorable reindeer dolls dressed for Christmas in festive outfits of a dress with nordic snowflake or mini sweater jumper with a snowman and trousers. Sizes: 15cm tall (6 in) tall. Knit flat on a pair of straight knitting needles. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Cilla Webb. Note that you need to create a free account to get the pattern.
Christmas Bitsy Baby
Pocket sized doll is all snuggly and warm in a Christmas Snow Suit with a matching hat and scarf and bringing home a doll sized Christmas tree. Finished size: 14cm /5.5”. DK weight yarn. Designed by Claire Fairall.
Santa Claus
Christmas Santa toy knit flat. Finished size: Height: 38cm / 15”. DK weight yarn. Designed by Frederica Patmore for Prima. A kit is also available.
Reindeer Ornament or Toy
Rudolph the Reindeer stuffie with red nose and scarf that will look super cute on your Christmas tree. Also a cute small toy. Knit flat in individual parts then stuffed and sewn together. Finished size: Height: 17 cm / 6.69” with the loop. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Au bout du pré. A kit is also available.
Christmas Mice
Angel or Fairy mouse, Santa mouse in suit, carol singer in hat and scarf with music, and skier mouse with jumper, hat, and skis, make great stocking stuffers or ornaments. Each Christmas mouse follows the same basic mouse knitting pattern and customized with colors and outfits. Sizes: 11cm (4¼in) tall. Knit flat on a pair of straight knitting needles except for i-cord. Uses just small amounts of yarn so it's great for stashbusting! Designed by Amanda Berry.
Owl Ornament or Toy
Owl stuffie with Santa hat and scarf that will look super cute on your Christmas tree or other decorations. Also a cute small toy. Knit flat in individual parts then stuffed and sewn together. Finished size: about 6 inches tall. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Au bout du pré. A kit is also available.
Christmas Elves
Girl and boy Santa's elf dolls with elf hats. Or you can knit them in different colors to create everyday dolls. Height approx. 33 cm / 13 inces. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Fraya
Christmas Tree Angel
Knit doll angel toy or tree troppper with feather wings and halo. Turn into a fairy by using floral arrangement butterfly wings. Or leave wings and halo off for a cute doll. Makes an 34 cm/ 13" angel but size is adjustable. Designed by Bonny Bonafilla.
Little Christmas Reindeer Rudolfino
This adorable reindeer is Rudolph the Reindeer’s cuddly littly son according to the designer. He measures 6” tall sitting and comes with instructions for his own Christmas pudding and holly. Designed by Abigail Orlando. Pictured project by Sallyka
Elf on the Shelf
Cheerful Christmas elf companion toy in red outfit and hat. Knit flat. Available in 3 heights: 10.7(16, 20.5) inches / 27(41, 52) cm. Elf on the Shelf 2580 by Sirdar. A kit is also available
Clara Doll and The Nutcracker
Dolls inspired by the beloved Christmas ballet The Nutcracker. Clara, in her Christmas party dress, is 32 cm (12.5 in) tall. The Nutcracker doll is 39 cm (15.5 in) tall. Designed by Janice Anderson. There is also a Mouse King pattern available for purchase.
- Get the free Clara Doll knitting pattern
- Get the free The Nutcracker knitting pattern
- Buy the Mouse King knitting pattern
Bear Hug
Teddy bear toy knit flat dressed for the holidays in its own bright scarf. Size: 7.5" Tall. DK weight yarn. Designed by Raynor Gellatly of Knitted Toy Box.
Aran Snow Family
Three snowpeople (snowmen) toys knit with a cable pattern, complete with their own hats and scarves. Size: Snow Baby: 6.5" Tall, Snowlady: 10" Tall, Snowman: 11" Tall. Great stashbuster! Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Mary Maxim
More Free Patterns
Grinch
Christmas Grinch softie plushie toy. Size: 12.5 in / 32 cm in height. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elle Yarns.
Mini Gingerbread Friends
Gingerbread girl and boy dolls knit in one piece from the bottom-up. The doll’s body can be knit flat or in the round. Simple sewing techniques define the arms and legs after knitting. Very fast and fun to knit, these dolls are designed to be sturdy and safe. Size: 4" (10 cm) in DK weight. Designed by Esther Braithwaite.
Mr. and Mrs. Bear Claus
Teddy bears dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Pattern available for free with a free trial at Creativebug. Designed by by Noreen Crone-Findlay. Note that link is to a page of patterns, both knitting and crochet. This listing is toward the bottom of the page.
Christmas Puppies and Doghouse
Tiny dogs wearing santa hats and scars along with their decorated Christmas house. Knit flat and seamed. Sizes: Kennel 13cm tall. Puppies 5cm tall. Designed by Sachiyo Ishii. DK weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
Get more toy knitting patterns by Sachiyo Ishii on Amazon- See more Dog Knitting Patterns
Merry Knitmouse
This adorable mouse dressed in its own Santa Claus outfit is ready for Christmas. Size 30cm—12 ins. Knit flat on 2 needles. DK weight yarn. Designed by Cygnet.
Reindeer Toy or Tea Cozy
Christmas reindeer that you can knit as a toy or knit the Winter Wonderland snow bobble tea cozy which fits a standard sized 6 cup pot and perch the reindeer on top. Perfect for holiday play or decor. Winter Wonderland tea cozy designed by Claire Garland.
Jingles the Elf
Easy Santa's elf is knit flat and seamed. Sizes: 26 cm / 10 in. tall. Designed by Amanda Berry. DK weight yarn.
Grinch Pencil Topper or Finger Puppet
This small Grinch works up fast and is a perfect stocking stuffer. Use as a finger puppet or pencil topper. Designed by Lori Galloway. You can crochet the eyes or make out of felt. You can also purchase a Rudolph Pencil Topper
Snow Knitter
Frost Flower is a stuffed snow person who is knitting a scarf. Approx. 10″ without hat. Designed by Susie Bonell for Cascade Yarns.
Oisin The Reindeer
Cute red-nosed reindeertoy softie with stripey arms and legs. Great for Christmas decor or gifts! Size 40cm/16 inches when standing 25cm/9 inches when sitting. Designed by Aine Marriott. DK weight yarn. Web version is free. PDF available for purchase.
Cheerful Holiday Penguin Toy
Body is worked flat from head down and seamed at center back. Wings are worked separately in the round. 6” (15 cm) tall.Designed by Nancy Anderson for Red Heart. Great as a stocking stuffer or ornament too!
Polar Bear Toy Decorations
These adorable miniature polar bears are perfect for holiday decorating, gift decoration, and as gifts by themselves. Bears Measure: Standing version: 5” (13 cm) tall, Seated version: 6” (15 cm) tall
Gingerbread Boys
These adorable little toys are designed by Sara Elizabeth Kellner, who is featured throughout this site, most recently on Wild Animal Knitting Patterns. This gingerbread softie is easy and quick, knit all in one piece in the round. He’s designed to be 11 inches tall but can easily be customized for a different size.
Fluffy Polar Bear Toy
Easy toy polar bear measures about 12½” [32 cm] long. Knit with wonderful furry yarn with his own winter scarf.
Knitting Snowman
This snow knitter softie is a perfect decoration or gift for the knitting household. Or you can leave out the knitting embellishments for a toy or decoration for the non-knitters in your life. The needles are made from skewers and beads and there are also instructions for creating the tiny yarn skein. 12 1/2″ tall. Designed by Nancy Anderson for Red Heart.
Patterns for Purchase
Mini Nativity Dolls
Free with Kindle Unlimited, and also available for purchase. 12 quick and easy little people patterns include Baby Jesus in the manger, Mary, Joseph, Shepherds and sheep, Angels and Wise Men. Knit flat on 2 straight needles. Size of basic dolls 7.5cm / 3 inches tall in Fingering weight yarn. You can use a different yarn to increase the size of the dolls. Designed by Ember Lim
Amigurumi Reindeer
Free with Kindle Unlimited, and also available for purchase. Little Deer / Reindeer dolls knit flat with accessories. 12 inches tall. To knit this pattern, you need to know basic stitches, and various increases and decreases. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Amy Gaines
Santa Toy And Chimney Christmas Stocking Knitting Patterns
No longer free. Jolly Christmas stocking designed to look like a chimney with slip stich brick colorwork with a Santa toy to hide inside. Knit flat. Santa: Approximately 25cm/10in tall. Chimney Stocking: Approximately 34cm/13in long. Kit is also available. May only be free for a limited time.
Santa Claus Toy
No longer free. Santa / Father Christmas softie doll perfect for Christmas decorations, gifts, or playtime. Height 51cm (20"). Father Christmas Toy in Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake Chunky (3080). DK weight yarn.
Tree Doll, Elves, Snowman
Christmas toys and dolls including a Christmas Tree Doll knit flat and about 34 cm (13 inch) tall, Elf girl and boy knit flat and about 28 cm (11 inch), and Snowman girl and boy knit flat and 28 cm (11inch) tall. Sold individually. Designed by CSKraft
Snowman Tree Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Toy
This toy flips inside-out transforming the snowman into a tree. One of the 12 patterns from Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys. Pictured project by NanaMama. Designed by Susan B. Anderson
Little Mouse Sleeping in a Leaf
Not a creature was stirring...not even this little mouse in its leaf bed. The little mouse toy wears a sweater and red hat with tiny pompom and embroidered details. His bed is an adorable green leaf with a mobile ornament and he always sleeps with his favorite knitted blanket. You can also use as a Christmas tree ornament. Leaf length 4.33.inches- 11 cm. Mouse tall (without hat) 2.16 inches – 5.5 cm. Designed by HandMadeAwards
Penguin Party
Set of toys to create a holiday or winter scene for decoration or play including the instructions to make the penguins, hats and scarves, igloo, mat, tree, sign-post and little fish. Designed by Amanda Berry are knitted flat on single pointed needles. Penguins are 6 cm tall, igloo is 7 cm tall x 14 cm wide (including doorway), display mat is 25.5 cm diameter, and the tree is 7.5 cm tall. DK weight yarn.
Christmas Mice Knitivity
Cute mice recreate the Christmas nativity scene. Instructions to knit Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, the Shepherd, the Angel and the 3 Wise Men. SIZE: 14-15cm (about 6 inches) Tall. Uses just small amounts of yarn so it's great for stashbusting! DK weight yarn. Designed by Cilla Webb.
12 Knits of Christmas
From a partridge in a pear tree to twelve drummers drumming, Fiona Goble’s The Twelve Knits of Christmas brings the popular verse to life as knitters of all skill levels create each of the twelve characters featured in the charming holiday song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”. Available in digital or paperback
Reindeer and Sleigh
Christmas holiday decoration or toy. Reindeer is 20cm long and 20cm to antlers. Sleigh is 23cm long, 10cm wide and 12cm tall
Nativity Scene
Set includes 9 figures: Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Three Wisemen (Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), Shepherd, Shepherd Boy, and Angel. Size: Each figure approximately 3″ tall. Digital Download. Designed by Barbara Wheeler.
Mini Knitted Christmas
26 knitting projects by Sue Stratford including a nativity scene and reindeer and sleigh. Available in digital or paperback
Snow Mice
These mice are getting into the Christmas spirit by dressing as Santa, a reindeer, caroler, and more.
