Free Crochet Nativity Play Set Pattern Part 1

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Christmas is coming!!!

My grandchildren have always loved playing with the nativity that is traditionally displayed at our house over the holidays, so I decided to design a soft, durable one for them.  

This pattern has several different pieces to it, so I will post it bit by bit over the next few weeks in the interest of space saving.  The entire pattern which includes several photos can be purchased in my Etsy shop if you want it all at once.

Crochet Nativity Playset

This crochet Nativity set includes Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a donkey and a sheep.  Also included are the shawls, head pieces and manger.  While there are many parts to this pattern, the stitches are simple and the instructions are fairly easy to understand.  Both Mary and Joseph have round circles of plastic canvas in the bottom to give them a flatter surface to help them stand. 

Materials Needed:

Worsted weight yarn

Fluffy yarn  (I use Bernat Pipsqueak)

fiberfill stuffing

G crochet hook

yarn needle

safety eyes or puff paint

plastic canvas

Abbreviations:

sc-  single crochet

hdc-  half double crochet

dc-  double crochet

inc- make 2 stitches in 1 stitch

dec- crochet 2 stitches together

blo- make next stitch in back loop only

sl st- slip stitch

ch- chain

Mary and Joseph  

Both of these basic characters are made the same, but have different colors and accessories.  The bodies are crocheted in the color you choose for the clothes with a change in color for the head.  Arms are made to match the body.

 Make 6 sc in a magic ring.

Make 2 sc in each stitch.  (12)

*Sc 1, inc*.  (18)

*Sc 2, inc*  (24)

*Sc 3, inc* (30)

*Sc 4, inc* (36)

*Sc 5, inc* (42)

Sc in BLO of each stitch

9-11 Sc in each stitch

12.  *Sc in 5, dec*  (36)

13.  Sc in each stitch

14.  *Sc in 4, dec*  (30)

15.  Sc in each stitch

16.  *Sc in 3, dec*  (24)

17-22.  Sc in each stitch.

23.  *Sc in 2, dec*  (18)  Place 3 inch diameter circles of plastic canvas into bottom of figure to keep bottom flat. (I used 2 circles in each one.) 

24.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (12)

25.  Change to flesh colored yarn.  Sc in each stitch. (12)

26.  Make inc in each stitch.  (24)

27.  *Sc 3, inc*  (30)

28.  Sc in each stitch

29.  *Sc 3, dec* (24

30-32  Sc in each stitch

33. *Sc in 2, dec*  (18)

34. *Sc in 1, dec*  (12)  Stuff firmly.

35,  Dec. till closed.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

For the eyes, either place safety eyes before stuffing and closing or place dots of puff paint.

Joseph’s Headcover

 In a magic ring make a chain 3 and 12 dc.  Join with a sl st.

Ch. 3, dc in same stitch as chain,  *dc, inc, dc*  dc in same stitch as chain,   sl st in top of ch 3.  (20 dc +1 ch 3)

Ch 3, dc in each stitch.  (20 dc +1 ch3)

Work in rows now.  Ch 3, dc in same st as ch 3, dc in 9, inc in next st.  Turn.

Ch 3, dc in same st., dc in 10, inc in next st.  Turn.

Ch 3, dc in same st., dc in 12, inc in next st.

Continue around head piece to make edge.  sc up side of cover, sc in each dc across front  (10 sc), sc 6 down other side., sc 15 across bottom.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

For Mary’s head cover, repeat as for Joseph but add 1 additional row of sc.

For Joseph’s headband, ch 40, fasten off.  Weave through head covering stitches as shown in pic.

Arms  Make 2 for each figure

Using yarn to match clothes, 

 Make 6 sc in a magic ring.

Inc. each st.  (12)

3-5.  Sc in each st. (12)

6.  *Sc 2, dec.*  (9)

7-10.  Sc in ea st.  (9)  Stuff lightly.

11  Sc open edge of arm together with 4 sc.  Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew arm to body.

Joseph’s scarf

 Ch 6, sc in 2nd. ch from hook and next 4 chains.  (5)  Ch 1, turn.

Sc in each st., ch1, turn.

Repeat row 2 until you have the length you want, making color changes as desired for stripes.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Joseph’s belt

Make a chain as long as you want the belt to be and tie it around his waist.

Mary’s shawl

 Ch 31, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch.  (30)  Ch 1, turn.

Sc in each stitch, ch 1, turn.

Repeat for a total of 9 rows.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

Check back next week for the Baby Jesus and manger pattern.  See you then!

Blessings!

Reny

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