Crocheted Nativity Set

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This Crocheted Nativity Set is probably one of my favorite things that I have made. I really love the way it turned out. When I was trying to think of what I could make for the finale of So You Think You're Crafty I went back and forth on what kind of project I wanted to do. I thought about making some kind of quilt or something but every time I thought about it I kept coming back to crochet. I feel like although I enjoy sewing and doing other crafts, crocheting is the most representative of me and of my blog. I have more crochet patterns on my blog than anything else, it is what I spend the most time working on and I just felt like it was the craft that would really represent me as a crafter and as a blogger and I really wanted my final project to be me in a project. I love nativities and since it is almost Christmas time I decided that  it would be really cool to make one. When I finished making it, I felt so happy with what I had made. It wasn't about winning or losing the competition, either way I had made something that I loved and I was happy with that. Feeling that way made me feel like I had succeeded in what I wanted, I had put myself in a project. When I found out that I had won I was really excited and happy, I am still sort of in shock about it. When I first started out I told my husband that I really just didn't want to be the first one to go home. The longer I stayed in the more I wanted to, and thought that maybe I could, make it all the way. Making it to the finale felt awesome, winning was really great.

Anyway, enough about that. We should probably get on to the details of the pattern. It is kind of a big project so this is going to be a long post. When I was making the Nativity I started out with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. I figured they were the most important and needed to be there. Then I figured I would add as many more figures as I had time to. I ended up with two shepherd, a sheep and a donkey. I think I will add some Wise Men at some point but I wasn't worried about getting them done right away.

All of the figures are made with worsted weight yarn with the exception of the sheep's body, which was a bulky yarn, and the boy shepherd's shawl thing. I used lots of different brands and colors of yarn and I'm not going to list them in the pattern because really, you can use anything you have. You don't need a lot of any of the colors so if you have some little balls of leftover yarn in your stash you can use that. If you have questions about specific colors, feel free to ask me and I will let you know. Most of what I used was Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Heartland, and Vanna's Choice. There was a little bit of Joann's and Michaels' store brands in there too.

The stable in the pictures is one that I borrowed from my mom. She found it at a thrift store a few years ago and worked perfectly with my set.

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How to Make a Crocheted Nativity Set

You will need:

• Worsted weight yarn in a variety of colors, I used Red Heart Super Saver in Buff for the skin color, and several different colors and brands for the clothing
• white, textured, bulky yarn for the sheep, I used Red Heart Baby Clouds
• G crochet hook
• 1/4" dowel (for the star) I used a long dowel and cut it to about 13" but these 12" dowels would also work
• 3" x 5" plaque (for the star)
• Drill with 1/4" bit (for the star)
• yarn needle
• fabric scraps at least 6" square for each person
• weighted stuffing beads
• fiberfill stuffing
• sewing thread
• sewing needle

Instructions:

Joseph-

Finished size about 7 1/2" tall

Body

Make a weighted insert to put in the base by cutting a circle about 6" in diameter, stitch a running stitch all the way around the outside of the circle, pull thread to cinch up slightly to create a bowl shape, pour in some weighted stuffing beads, cinch up the rest of the way and stitch closed, set aside 

Start with the color you are going to use for the body

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (24 sc)

Round 5: [1 sc in first 3 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (30 sc)

Round 6: [1 sc in first 4 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (36 sc)

Round 7: 1 sc blo in each stitch (36 sc)

Rounds 8-13: 1 sc in each stitch (36 sc)

Round 14: [1 sc in first 10 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (33 sc)

Rounds 15-17: 1 sc in each stitch (33 sc)

Round 18: [1 sc in first 9 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (30 sc)

Rounds 19-20: 1 sc in each stitch (30 sc)

Round 21: [1 sc in first 8 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (27 sc)

Rounds 22-23: 1 sc in each stitch (27 sc)

Round 24: [1 sc in first 7 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (24 sc)

Rounds 25-26: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Now is a good time to add the weighted insert to the base of the figure and begin stuffing, continue stuffing as you work

Round 27: [1 sc in first 6 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (21 sc)

Round 28: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)

Round 29: [1 sc in first 5 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (18 sc)

Round 30: [1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog] (12 sc)

switch to tan/skin color yarn

Round 31: 2 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Rounds 32-36: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Round 37: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, sc2tog] (18 sc)

Round 38: [1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog] (12 sc)

Round 39: sc2tog around (6 sc)

Finish off

Make 2 arms

start with skin color

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: [1 sc in first 2 stitched, 2 sc in next] repeat around (8 sc)

change to clothing color

Rounds 3-11: 1 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

stitch arms to the side of the body at the neck

Headpiece

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (24 sc)

Rounds 5-7: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Round 8: [1 sc in first 7 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (27 sc)

at this point you will begin working in rows, turning at the end of each

Row 9: sc in next 18 stitches

Rows 10-14: ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each stitch (18 sc)

Row 15: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 16 stitches, 2 sc in last stitch (20 sc)

Rows 16-17: ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each stitch (20 sc)

Finish off, weave in ends

Place on head

ch 30 (or number needed to wrap around head), wrap around headpiece, tie in the back, trim ends

For Joseph's belt I just tied a piece of yarn around his waist

Mary

Finished size about 6" tall

Make weighted insert the same way as for Joseph

Start with the color you are going to use for the body

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (24 sc)

Round 5: [1 sc in first 3 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (30 sc)

Round 6: [1 sc in first 4 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (36 sc)

Round 7: [1 sc in first 5 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (42 sc)

Round 8: 1 sc blo in each stitch (42 sc)

Round 9: 1 sc in each stitch (42 sc)

Round 10: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 3] 3 times, sc2tog, 1 sc in next 7, sc2tog, 1 sc in next 7, sc2tog, 1 sc in next 7 (36 sc)

Round 11: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 2] 3 times, sc2tog, sc in next 22 (32 sc)

Round 12: sc in first 2, sc2tog, sc in next 2, sc2tog, sc in next 24 (30 sc)

Round 13: 1 sc in each stitch (30 sc)

Round 14: [1 sc in first 8 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (27 sc)

Rounds 15-16: 1 sc in each stitch (27 sc)

Round 17: [1 sc in first 7 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (24 sc)

Rounds 18-19: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Now is a good time to add the weighted insert to the base of the figure and begin stuffing, continue stuffing as you work

Round 20: [1 sc in first 6 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (21 sc)

Round 21: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)

Round 22: [1 sc in first 5 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (18 sc)

Round 23: [1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog] (12 sc)

switch to tan/skin color yarn

Round 24: 2 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Rounds 25-28: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Round 29: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, sc2tog] (18 sc)

Round 30: [1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog] (12 sc)

Round 31: sc2tog around (6 sc)

Make 2 arms

start with skin color

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: [1 sc in first 2 stitched, 2 sc in next] repeat around (8 sc)

change to clothing color

Rounds 3-10: 1 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

stitch arms to the side of the body at the neck

Hair

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (24 sc)

Round 5: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Round 6: 1 dc in first 7 stitches, hdc, sc slip stitch, sc, hdc, dc in next 12 (19 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc, 1 slip stitch)

Finish off, sew to the top of Mary's head

Head Shawl

*Shawl is worked back and forth in rows, not in the round, even though you still start in a magic ring.

Row 1: in mr, ch 1, sc 4 (4 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (12 sc)

Row 4: ch 1 turn, [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (16 sc)

Rows 5-7: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (16 sc)

Row 8: ch 1, turn, 2sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 14, 2 sc in last stitch (18 sc)

Rows 9-15: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (18 sc)

turn 90 degrees, ch 1, sc across front to other corner, finish off, sew to top of head

Baby Jesus

Finished size about 2 1/2" long

start with skin color

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Rounds 3-4: 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Stuff head

Round 5: sc2tog around (6 sc)

switch to white

Round 6: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Rounds 7-11: 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Stuff body

Round 12:  sc2tog around (6 sc)

Finish off, weave in ends

Manger

Finished size about 3" x 5" x 1 1/2"

Make 1 base

ch 13

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch to end (12 sc)

Rows 2-6: ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Make 2 short sides

ch 7

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch to end (6 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 4, 2 sc in last stitch (8 sc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (8 sc)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 6, 2 sc in last stitch (10 sc)

Row 5:ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (10 sc)

Make 2 long sides

ch 13

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch to end (12 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 10, 2 sc in last stitch (14 sc)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (14 sc)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 12, 2 sc in last stitch (16 sc)

Row 5:ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (16 sc)

Use sc to attach the 4 sides to each other and the base (hold the two pieces you are attaching wrong sides together and sc through both layers)

Finish off, weave in ends

Hay

Finished size about 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

ch 18

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch to end (17 sc)

Row 2: ch1, turn, sc in first stitch, sc in next 15 stitches making a loop in each stitch by wrapping the yarn around 2 fingers as you work, sc in last stitch (17 sc, 15 with loops)

Row 3:ch 1, turn, 1 sc in each stitch (17 sc)

Repeat rows 2 and 3, 3 more times

Finish off, weave in ends, set inside of manger loopy side up, set Baby Jesus on the hay

Star

Finished size about 3", star on dowel about 13" tall

Make 2

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 5 sc (5 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (10 sc)

Round 3: [ch 5, skip 1, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next 2, skip 1 sc on original circle, slip stitch to next stitch] repeat 4 more times (5 points)

Once you have finished both stars, sc together around the outside

Take your 3" x 5" plaque and drill a 1/4" hole in the center, about a 1/4" deep, cut the dowel to desired length, insert dowel into hole gluing if needed, stick the dowel into the star between the two layers

Shepherd

Finished size about 7 1/2" tall

Make body, arms and headpiece exactly the same as Joseph but with different colors

For the Belt

ch 34

sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across

Wrap around waist and stitch ends together

For the Crook

cut a piece of wire about 7 inches long, bend one end into the crook shape

in mr, ch 1, 4 sc

sc in each stitch until you have a piece long enough to cover the wire

put the wire into the center of the crocheted tube

finish off, weave in ends 

Shepherd Boy

Finished size about 5 1/2" tall

Make weighted insert the same as for Joseph but using a 5" circle

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (24 sc)

Round 5: [1 sc in first 3 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (30 sc)

Round 6: 1 sc blo in each stitch (30 sc)

Rounds 7-12: 1 sc in each stitch (30 sc)

Round 13: [1 sc in first 8 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (27 sc)

Rounds 14-15: 1 sc in each stitch (27 sc)

Round 16: [1 sc in first 7 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (24 sc)

Rounds 17-18: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Now is a good time to add the weighted insert to the base of the figure and begin stuffing, continue stuffing as you work

Round 19: [1 sc in first 6 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (21 sc)

Round 20: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)

Round 21: [1 sc in first 5 stitches, sc2tog) repeat around (18 sc)

Round 22: sc2tog around (9 sc)

change to skin color

Round 23: 2 sc in each stitch (18 sc)

Rounds 24-27: 1 sc in each stitch (18 sc)

Round 28: [1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog] (12 sc)

Round 29: sc2tog around (6 sc)

Make 2 arms

Start with skin color

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 1 sc in each stitch (6 sc)

change to clothing color

Rounds 3-7: 1 sc in each stitch (6 sc)

Sew to sides of body at neck

Headpiece

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 5 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (21 sc)

Round 5: 1 sc in each stitch around (21 sc)

Now you will begin working in rows

Row 6: sc in next 13 stitches (13 sc)

Rows 7-10: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (13 sc)

Row 11: 2 sc in first stitch, sc in next 11, 2 sc in last stitch (15 sc)

Rows 12-13: sc in each stitch (15 sc)

Finish off, weave in ends

Place on shepherd boy's head, tie a piece of yarn around it

Shoulder Wrap

ch 7

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and each stitch to end (6 sc)

Rows 2-6: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (6 sc)

Row 7: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in 2 stitches, sc2tog (4 sc)

Rows 8-15: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (4 sc) 

Row 16: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in last stitch (6 sc)

Rows 17-22: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch (6 sc)

Place over one shoulder and tie a piece of yarn around the waist to keep in place

Sheep

Finished size about 2 1/2" tall

with white worsted weight yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Rounds 3-4: 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Change to bulky, textured yarn

Rounds 5-9: 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Stuff

Round 10: sc2tog around (6 sc)

finish off weave in ends

Make 4 legs

With worsted weight yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 4 sc

Rounds 2-3: 1 sc in each stitch (4 sc)

sew legs to bottom of body

Fluff on top of head

With bulky yarn

in mr, ch 1, 6 sc

stitch to top of head

Make 2 ears

ch 3

sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch (2 sc)

stitch one ear to each side of the head

Donkey

Finished size about 4 1/2 inches tall

Body

with gray yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: [1 sc in first 2 stitches, 2 sc in next] repeat around (24 sc)

Rounds 5-17: 1 sc in each stitch (24 sc)

Begin stuffing and continue stuffing as you go

Round 18:  [1 sc in first 2 stitches, sc2tog] repeat around (18 sc)

Round 19: [1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog] repeat around (12 sc)

Round 20: sc2tog around (6 sc)

Neck

with gray yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Rounds 4-10: 1 sc in each stitch (18 sc)

Finish off leaving long end for sewing

Head

with gray yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 3-4: 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Round 5: [1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)

Rounds 6-7: 1 sc in each stitch (18 sc)

Now you will begin working back and forth in rows

Row 8: sc in next 9 stitches

Row 9: turn, slip stitch in first stitch, sc in next 8 (8 sc)

Row 10: turn, slip stitch in first stitch, sc in next 7 (7 sc)

Row 11: turn, slip stitch in first stitch, sc in next 6 (6 sc)

Row 12: turn, slip stitch in first stitch, sc in next 5 (5 sc)

Finish off leaving long end for sewing

Stuff neck and sew to the front of body, stuff head and sew to the neck, I twisted the head so that the donkey is kind of looking to the side

Make 2 Ears

with gray yarn

ch 4

slip stitch in first ch, sc in next, hdc in last 2 ch

sew ears to top side of head

Mane

with black yarn

ch 13

sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch to the end

stitch onto neck, from the base of the neck up over the top of head

Make 2 Front Legs

start with black yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: [1 sc in first 2 stitched, 2 sc in next] repeat around (8 sc)

Round 3: 1 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

change to gray

Rounds 4-12: 1 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

Now you will begin working back and forth in rows

Row 13: sc in next 4 stitches

Row 14: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 2, 2 sc in last stitch (6 sc)

Finish off leaving long tail for sewing

Make 2 Back Legs

start with black yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)

Round 2: [1 sc in first 2 stitched, 2 sc in next] repeat around (8 sc)

Round 3: 1 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

change to gray

Rounds 4-9: 1 sc in each stitch (8 sc)

Round 10: [1sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next] repeat around (12 sc)

Rounds 11-12: 1 sc in each stitch (12 sc)

Now you will begin working back and forth in rows

Row 13: sc in next 6 stitches

Row 14: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 4, 2 sc in last stitch (8 sc)

Row 15: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 4, sc2tog (6 sc)

Row 16: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in next 2, sc2tog (4 sc)

Finish off leaving long tail for sewing

Sew legs to body, front legs should be sewn so that they point forward,then fold back under the body, back legs are angled slightly to the back then they fold in towards the front of the body, make sure as you are sewing them on that the donkey sits up straight

Tail

with gray yarn

ch 10, slip stitch in each ch

cut 3- 4" lengths of black yarn, attach to the end of tail with a larks head knot, sew tail to donkey

I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I have, if you have any questions let me know and I will try to help as much as I can.