Nothing welcomes friends and family to your holiday home quite like a handmade evergreen wreath, and this easy crochet Christmas wreath with a crimson velvet bow brings heirloom farmhouse charm to your front door in just an afternoon. Crafted with rich forest green textured ribbing stretched smoothly over an inexpensive foam ring, it provides all the festive depth of fresh pine boughs without shedding needles or fading before Christmas morning.
Whether you are styling a festive centerpiece alongside our Farmhouse crochet holiday table runner or crafting thoughtful handmade gifts with a rustic Crochet gingerbread man ornament, this beginner-friendly holiday project works up quickly using simple single and double crochet stitches worked into the back loop. The secret to its crisp, professional look is crocheting a snug rectangular ribbed sleeve and seaming it invisibly along the inside of the ring, creating a seamless, tailored finish that holds its shape season after season.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
- Quick Weekend Finish: The textured ribbed sleeve works up in approximately 3 to 4 hours using bulky #5 yarn or double-stranded worsted weight.
- Budget-Friendly Decor: Requires less than two full skeins of yarn and a basic 12-inch craft store foam ring, costing a fraction of boutique retail wreaths.
- Durable & Reusable: Made with easy-care acrylic or wool yarn that packs flat and will not crush, droop, or shed in storage.
- Endless Customization: Style with traditional crimson velvet, rustic burlap bows, frosted pinecones, or battery-operated fairy lights to match your home aesthetic.
Materials & Essential Tools
- Yarn: 310 yards of Bulky weight yarn (#5) or 2 strands of Worsted Weight (#4) held together in deep forest green (such as Lion Brand Hue + Me in ‘Fatigue’ or Red Heart Super Saver in ‘Hunter Green’).
- Accent Yarn / Ribbon: 40 yards of crimson red yarn or 2 yards of 1.5-inch wired velvet ribbon for the bow.
- Crochet Hook: US Size J/10 (6.0 mm) or K/10.5 (6.5 mm) ergonomic crochet hook.
- Wreath Base: 12-inch (30 cm) rounded white styrofoam or extruded foam wreath form (3-inch tube circumference).
- Notions: Steel tapestry needle for seaming, sharp crafting scissors, locking stitch markers, and floral wire or hot glue to secure the bow and accents.
Step-by-Step Stitch Walkthrough
Step 1: Gauge & Foundation Chain: Chain 24 loosely. This chain must wrap comfortably around the 3-inch thickness of your foam ring with a slight negative ease so the fabric stays taut once assembled.
Step 2: Establish the Back Loop Ribbing: In row 1, single crochet in the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across (23 stitches). Turn, chain 1. For row 2 and all subsequent rows, work single crochet into the back loop only (BLO). This creates prominent, stretchy ridges resembling needle-pine branches.
Step 3: Measuring Length: Continue working in BLO single crochet until your piece measures approximately 34 to 36 inches relaxed. Stretch it around the outer circumference of your wreath form—it should meet end-to-end snugly without sagging.
Step 4: Seaming Around the Form: Fasten off leaving a 40-inch yarn tail. Wrap the ribbed sleeve around the foam ring. Using your tapestry needle, mattress stitch the foundation edge to the final row end-to-end. Next, whipstitch the inner long edges together along the back of the wreath, maintaining even tension so the seam tucks discreetly out of sight.
Step 5: Bow & Accent Assembly: Crochet a rectangular crimson panel (chain 16, 20 rows of half double crochet), pinch the center, and wrap a contrasting yarn tie tightly around the middle to form a crisp bow. Attach to the top center or bottom rim of the wreath using floral wire.
3 Pro Tips for Wreath Construction
1. Maintain Slight Negative Ease: Foam forms compress slightly under yarn tension. Always crochet your sleeve 1 to 2 inches shorter than the true outer perimeter so the fabric hugs the curves tightly without bunching or twisting.
2. Keep the Seam on the Inside Rear: Place your long seam along the inner perimeter or back flat surface. This ensures only flawless, unbroken ridges are visible when viewed from the front and sides.
3. Steam Block the Ribbed Strip Before Seaming: Give your completed crochet strip a quick pass with a garment steamer before wrapping the foam. Relaxing the acrylic or wool fibers allows the ridges to expand uniformly across the entire diameter.
How to Style & Display Your Holiday Wreath
- Front Door Welcome: Suspend from an over-the-door brass wreath hanger or attach a 2-inch matching red velvet hanging loop secured with floral pins.
- Fireplace Mantle Focal Point: Lean against an antique wooden mirror or hang above your mantle flanked by warm pillar candles and pinecone garlands.
- Festive Dining Centerpiece: Lay the wreath flat in the center of your table, placing a glass hurricane lantern with a pillar candle in the open center ring.
Care, Storage & Preservation Instructions
- Dusting & Cleaning: Use a handheld vacuum on low suction or a sticky lint roller to remove seasonal dust from the yarn ridges. Spot clean with cool water and mild wool wash if needed.
- Off-Season Storage: Store in a breathable fabric wreath storage bag or hang inside a closet using a padded garment bag to protect against moisture and dust.
- Sunlight Protection: If hanging outdoors, display on a covered porch out of direct sunlight and pouring rain to prevent fiber discoloration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a wire wreath form instead of foam?
Yes, though foam creates a solid, smooth silhouette. If using a wire form, wrap it with batting or wide burlap ribbon first so the wire frame does not show through the crochet stitches.
How much yarn do I need for a larger 16-inch wreath?
For a 16-inch foam form, increase your total yarn yardage by approximately 35% (around 420 yards of bulky yarn) and work additional rows until the strip covers the larger circumference.
Can this wreath be displayed outdoors?
Yes, as long as it is hung under a covered porch or entryway protected from heavy rain and snow. High-grade acrylic yarn is particularly weather-resistant and holds its vibrant color well.
Pin This Free Holiday Pattern
Love this festive holiday project? Save this pin to your Christmas Crochet board on Pinterest so you have the tutorial ready for your weekend crafting!
