This christmas pickle ornament is a quick, quirky, beginner-friendly amigurumi project — a sweet little crocheted pickle to hide deep in your Christmas tree. The first child to spot the christmas pickle ornament on Christmas morning gets the first present (or extra fortune for the year, depending on whose version of the tradition you follow). The whole pattern works up in under an hour with one ball of green worsted yarn, basic stitches, and a simple modified puff stitch for the signature pickle “bumps.”

Whether you’re keeping the tradition alive in your own family or making a batch of christmas pickle ornaments as small handmade gifts, this free crochet pattern has everything you need — gauge, materials, abbreviations, and round-by-round instructions all in one place.

The Christmas Pickle Ornament Tradition

The christmas pickle ornament — known in German as Weihnachtsgurke — is hidden deep in the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, blending in with the green branches. On Christmas morning, the first child to spot it gets the first present, an extra gift, or simply a year of good fortune. The tradition is said to have German roots, but it’s actually most popular in the American Midwest (Berrien Springs, Michigan, even calls itself the “Christmas Pickle Capital of the World”). However it started — whether a Civil War story, a Saint Nicholas legend, or a clever Woolworth’s marketing scheme in the 1880s — the christmas pickle ornament has become a sweet handmade-tradition staple.

Christmas Pickle Ornament Pattern Details

Materials for the Christmas Pickle Ornament

• Red Heart Super Saver worsted weight yarn (#4) — 1 ball in Tea Leaf or any deep pickle-green
• 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook
• Polyfil stuffing (small amount — stuff loosely so the pickle curves)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing closed
• Scissors
• Optional: 6 mm safety eyes or plastic eyes for a face
• Optional: small loop of yarn or thin ribbon for hanging

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Pattern Notes

This christmas pickle ornament is worked in continuous rounds (spiral, no joining) from the bottom up. The signature “bumps” come from a modified puff stitch worked at staggered intervals — every other round across the body. Stuff loosely before the final decrease rounds so you can gently shape it into the classic curved pickle silhouette as you sew it closed. Over-stuffing makes it bulge straight, which is less pickle-like and less fun.

Stitch Abbreviations

• Rnd — round
• Ch — chain
• Sl st — slip stitch
• Sc — single crochet
• Dc — double crochet
• Sk — skip
• Sc2tog — single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
• St(s) — stitch(es)
• Modified Puff St — yarn over, pull loop through; *yarn over, pull loop through* repeat 2 more times (9 loops on hook); yarn over and pull through all loops

Following Craft Yarn Council standard crochet abbreviations.

Free Christmas Pickle Ornament Crochet Pattern

Ch 4 and join with sl st to the first ch — loop formed.

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop (6)
• Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)
• Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 5: *Puff st, sc in next 5 sts* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 6: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 7: *Sc in next 2 sts, puff st, sc in next 3 sts* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 8: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 9: *Puff st, sc in next 5 sts* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 10: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 11: *Sc in next 3 sts, puff st, sc in next 2 sts* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 12: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 13: *Puff st, sc in next 5 sts* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 14: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 15: *Sc in next 2 sts, puff st, sc in next 3 sts* repeat around (18)
• Rnd 16: Sc around (18)
• Rnd 17: *Sc2tog, sc in next st* repeat around (12)

If using safety eyes or plastic eyes, place them now between rounds 9 and 11 on a “front” puff bump.

Stuff loosely with polyfil — you want the pickle to curve, so don’t overfill!

• Rnd 18: Sc2tog around (6). Fasten off and sew the last 6 sts closed with a tapestry needle.

Attach a small loop of yarn at the top for hanging, and your finished ornament is ready to hide deep in the tree!

Tips for the Best Finished Pickle

• Use a stitch marker at the start of each round so you don’t lose your place in the spiral.
• Vary the green — Tea Leaf is the classic deep pickle shade, but Hunter Green, Spring Green, or even a variegated green-and-white work beautifully for a brighter pickle.
• Stuff loosely! The whole charm of a christmas pickle ornament is the gentle curve. Firm stuffing makes it look like a green sausage.
• Make a batch — perfect tiny gifts for friends, teachers, or coworkers. One ball of yarn makes 4-5.
• Add embroidered details — a tiny stem in dark green or brown adds extra realism.
• For a face version, embroider a tiny smile with black floss below the safety eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pickle ornament tradition?

The christmas pickle ornament is hidden deep in the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, the first child (or sometimes the first adult!) to spot it gets the first present, an extra gift, or a year of good fortune — depending on whose family tradition you follow.

Is this pattern beginner friendly?

Yes — if you know how to single crochet, single crochet 2 together, and read a basic pattern, you can make this christmas pickle ornament. The modified puff stitch sounds fancy but it’s just a yarn-over sequence repeated 3 times — explained in the abbreviations section above.

How long does the christmas pickle ornament take to make?

Most crocheters finish one pickle in under an hour. Once you’ve made one, the second goes much faster — you can easily make a batch of 4-5 in an afternoon.

Can I make the pickle bigger or smaller?

Yes! Use a smaller hook and DK or sport-weight yarn for a mini ornament (about 3 inches tall), or go up to a 6.5 mm hook with chunky yarn for an oversized novelty pickle.

Should I use safety eyes or embroider a face?

Either works! Safety eyes give a polished look but aren’t recommended for ornaments that will be handled by young children. Embroidered faces are softer and family-safe. You can also skip the face entirely for a traditional plain christmas pickle ornament.

Can I sell finished pickles made from this pattern?

Yes! You’re welcome to sell finished christmas pickle ornaments made from this pattern — small-batch personal sales are encouraged. Please credit SeeLoveShare as the designer. The pattern itself may not be reproduced or resold.

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More Christmas Crochet Patterns You’ll Love

This christmas pickle ornament is part of a 3-part Christmas Stocking Series — and there’s plenty more handmade Christmas crochet on the blog:

• Evergreen Christmas Stocking — Free Crochet Pattern
• Very Berry Christmas Stocking — Free Crochet Pattern
• Crochet Gingerbread Man Pattern — beginner amigurumi for Christmas stuffies
• Mini Crochet Santa Hat Pattern — free ornament topper
• Blanket EZ Mini Tree Skirt — free pattern
• Browse all Christmas crochet patterns

Save This Christmas Pickle Ornament for Later

Want to come back to this christmas pickle ornament pattern later? Save it to Pinterest so you can find it next time Christmas crochet inspiration strikes. Make your pickle and tag @seeloveshare on Instagram — I’d love to see your version! 🥒

This christmas pickle ornament pattern, photos, and instructions are © SeeLoveShare LLC. For personal use only — please do not redistribute or resell this content. Small-batch sales of finished items are welcome with credit. Thank you for supporting an independent designer! 💛