Today, I’m sharing the Gherkin Ornament, a crochet Christmas pickle pattern. The Gherkin Ornament makes a cute gift wrap or a fun decoration to start your own holiday tradition.
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I learned about the Christmas pickle legend a few years ago. If you’re new to it, it’s a 140-ish year old American tradition wherein a pickle-shaped ornament is hidden on the Christmas tree. The first person to find it either gets to open the first gift or gets an extra gift (depending on which version of the story you’re following). This crochet Christmas pickle pattern lets you start your own handmade tradition at home!
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Gherkin Ornament
Crochet Christmas Pickle Pattern by Underground Crafter
This crochet Christmas pickle pattern makes a cute ornament to hide on your tree or to gift. It’s a great stashbuster that can be made with less than 20 yards (18 meters) of medium weight yarn.
Finished Size
- Approximately 3” (7.5 cm) tall before stuffing.
Materials
- Big Twist Value yarn (100% acrylic, 6 oz/170 g, 380 yd/347 m) – 1 skein in Slime, or approximately 20 yd (18 m) in any medium weight yarn.
- US Size G-6/4 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.
- Yarn needle.
- Locking stitch marker.
- I used the MECHEER crochet hook set including yarn needles, stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, and case.
- Fiber filling.
- Ornament hook (optional).
Gauge
- Exact gauge is not critical for this pattern. Stitches should be small so fiber filling doesn’t show through.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- invdec – invisible decrease – Insert hook in front loop only of each of next 2 sts, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops. A helpful video tutorial for this decrease is available below.
- If you can’t see the invdec video above, watch it on YouTube.
- pf – 5-repeat puff stitch – [Yo, insert hook into st, yo and draw up a loop] 5 times in same st, yo and draw through all 11 loops on hook. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial for the puff stitch above, watch it on YouTube.
- pm – place stitch marker
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
- [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Pattern is worked in the round in unjoined spirals with the right side facing out. Move the stitch marker up each round to mark position of the last stitch.
- Oombawka Design Crochet has helpful photo and video tutorials for starting with the magic adjustable ring here.
- A helpful video tutorial demonstrating the whipstitch seam is available below.
- If you can’t see the whipstitch seam video above, watch it on YouTube.
Pattern Instructions
Ornament
- Start with a magic adjustable ring (see Pattern Notes).
- Round 1: 6 sc in ring, tighten magic ring to close, pm in last st to mark position. (6 sts)
- Round 2: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] around. (9 sts)
- Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. (12 sts)
- Round 4: Sc in each st around.
- Round 5: [Pf in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around.
- Round 6: Repeat Round 4 once.
- Round 7: 2 sc in next 3 sts, invdec twice, sc in next st, invdec twice. (11 sts)
- Round 8: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times, invdec, sc in next st, invdec. (12 sts)
- Round 9: Repeat Round 5 once.
- Rounds 10-12: Repeat Round 4, 3 times.
- Round 13: Repeat Round 5 once.
- Stuff thoroughly with fiber filling.
- Rounds 14-15: Repeat Rounds 7-8 once.
- Round 16: [Invdec, sc in next st] around. (8 sts)
- Fasten off with long yarn tail (approximately 12”/30.5 cm) for finishing.
Finishing
- Stuff thoroughly with fiber filling.
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail from final Round. Seam top closed with whipstitch seam (see Pattern Notes).
- Optional: Attach ornament hook and weave in yarn tails.
- Alternatively, form an ornament loop with yarn: Wrap the yarn around the four fingers of your hand (your palm not including the thumb) to form a loop. Drawn the yarn through the loop and secure inside of the ornament. Weave in yarn tails.