Festive Crochet Yule Log Christmas Ornament

Read on for the free pattern, or purchase a PDF version of the pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts

Note that the PDF includes the step by step photo tutorial showing how to crochet the spiral used for the ends of the Yule Log.

In the ad-supported version of the pattern, I link to this as a separate two-colour single crochet spiral tutorial as it’s super useful for all kinds of projects! I have however included some progress images in the pattern so the extra tutorial isn’t a requirement for the pattern.

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link to a product and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here. 

Pattern notes

General Notes

• Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
• This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list where applicable)
• Numbers at the end of a round indicate the number of stitches in that round and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change
• Starting chains do not count as stitches
• The pieces for the Log are worked in continuous rounds without joining or turning
• Instructions written between [square brackets] should be worked the specific number of times instructed
• The Yule Log is intended for ornamental / decorative purposes only and should not be used as a toy

Skills Used

• Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
• The pattern is fairly straightforward, suitable for adventurous beginners, and uses simple stitches throughout
• A step-by-step photo tutorial for crocheting the spiral is included in the pattern as well as a picture guide for the decoration and assembly
• You will use slip stitches in the back loops to assemble the log
• The holly leaf will require working in front loops around either side of a row of slip stitches
• The berry uses the popcorn stitch – see special stitches

How to purchase a Dora Does crochet pattern:

I sell my PDF crochet patterns in my Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts stores. You can purchase this pattern on any of these platforms, depending on your preference. Simply click the relevant links throughout this pattern page to be taken to the listing, or visit the store homepages in the links at the start of this paragraph.

Materials

Crochet Hook

3.5mm / size E crochet hook, or size suitable for your yarn.

I used my clover amour hook.

I encourage you to use a hook that’s on the small size for the yarn weight you’re using. (learn about the connections between hook size and yarn weight here)

Yarn Requirements

Depending on the size you choose to make, you will need about 55-120m / 83-132yds (25-55g) of double knit / dk weight yarn in 4 colours. The majority of the yarn will be in Yarn A / Brown with only a small amount of yarn in the other 4 colours required.

The items shown used the following yarn:

Yarns A-C: James C Brett 100% Pure dk Cotton, 100% cotton. 100g ball 215m / 236yds

• Yarn A: Shade IC41 – Rich Coffee
• Yarn B: Shade – IC09 – Cream
• Yarn C: Shade – IC33 – Emerald

Yarn D: Rico Baby Cotton Soft, 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. 50g ball = 125m / 138 yds

• Yarn D: Shade 035 – Red

Yarn Substitution Options

I used cotton for the samples shown but the pattern will work in other fibres. Different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result. 

The samples were made using double knit yarn, but other yarn weights can be used. This will impact the look and size of the finished items and will change the amount of yarn required.

You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

• Yarn needle, scissors 
• Lockable stitch marker to hold the open loop in the spiral (optional)
• Safety compliant toy stuffing

Measurements & Finished Size

The finished size of the Small (Medium, Large) / S(M, L) Yule Logs are as follows:

• Small: Circumference: 15cm/6in Length: 11cm/4.5in
• Medium: Circumference: 19cm/7.5in  Length: 11cm/4.5in
• Large: Circumference: 25cm/10in Length: 14cm/5.5in

Measurements will vary depending on tension and how tightly you stuff the log

• The length of each Yule Log can be changed by altering the number of rounds you work in the body
• I have included the number of rounds I worked for each of the samples, but you can work the body to whatever length looks good to you (noting that this will impact the yarn usage) – it’s fine to just eyeball it
• Instructions for the spiral log-ends for are written separately for each of the three sizes
• Instructions for the body are written together, with the different sizes written in increasing order, with the smallest size first and larger sizes following in brackets i.e. S(M, L) Sts or Rounds

Gauge

Gauge is not essential for this pattern. though differing tensions will result in a different finished size. See measurements given earlier in the notes.

What is important is to create a nice dense fabric so that the stuffing does not poke out. This is why I recommend the smaller crochet hook size.

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

• BLO = back loop only
• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet (UK treble crochet)
• FLO = front loop only
• MR = magic ring – see special stitches
• Popcorn = 4dc popcorn stitch – see special stitches
• RS = right side
• sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
• sk = skip (UK miss)
• ss = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• WS = wrong side

Special Stitches 

Magic Ring (MR)

You can find a photo and video tutorial on how to create a magic ring here.  If you are not familiar with, or prefer not to work the magic ring, then you can ch2 and work the sts into the second chain from the hook as a modification.

Popcorn Stitch

A 4 double crochet popcorn stitch is used to make the berry. The steps to crochet a popcorn stitch are given below and you can also find a full written, photo and video tutorial here as well as a photo guide at the end of the pattern.

• Work 4 double crochet (UK treble) into the same stitch
• Loosen the last loop on your hook so it’s a bit taller than the height of a double crochet (tall enough so it won’t pull out)
• Remove your crochet hook
• Insert your hook from back to front through the top of the first double crochet you made 
• Catch the loop you just left, and pull it through the first stitch from front to back to complete the stitch.

Alternate Decoration Option

If you are making a larger version (with heavier weight yarn), or would simply prefer a larger holly sprig, you could try another pattern I have for holly leaves (and berries) as an alternative option.

Find the free written pattern and video tutorial for a different holly and berry pattern here.

Crochet Yule Log Pattern

Notes for the crochet spiral

There is a photo tutorial for the spiral technique at the end of the pattern, but here are a few helpful tips to remember as you work;

• The stitch pattern is the same as for a flat circle but you change colour half way through each round
• Each round starts with Yarn A and finishes in Yarn B
• You will be working in continuous rounds without joining or turning
• When you pull up a loop, you may want to add a lockable stitch marker to it to stop it unraveling
• Remember to leave a long tail for joining when you finish each of the spirals
• You can find a step-by-step photo tutorial for this single crochet two-colour spiral here

Spiral Ends

Make 2 in your chosen size, small, medium or large

Small Size Log

Below you see a close-up of the smallest of the Yule Logs, followed by the instructions to create the circular ends.

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 3sc in MR, pull up loop and remove hook from Yarn A, join Yarn B into MR, ch1, 3sc into MR, pull up loop and remove hook from Yarn B, pull ring tight, do not join or turn here or throughout. 6 sts

Round 2: Pick up Yarn A, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, drop Yarn B. 12 sts

Round 3: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times, drop Yarn B. 18 sts

Round 4: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times, ss in next 2 sts (slip stitches to not impact the stitch count). 24 sts

Fasten off Yarn B

Round 5: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] six times, ss in next 2 sts. 30 sts

Fasten off Yarn A leaving a long tail (4-5 times the circumference) for joining to the body

Continue to body

Medium Size Log

Below you see a close up of the medium size Log, followed by the instructions to create the circular ends. This is the size I have used in the photo tutorials throughout.

Using Yarn A, make a MR;

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 3sc in MR, pull up loop and remove hook from Yarn A, join Yarn B into MR, ch1, 3sc into MR, pull up loop and remove hook from Yarn B, pull ring tight, do not join or turn here or throughout. 6 sts

Round 2: Pick up Yarn A, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, drop Yarn B. 12 sts

Round 3: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times, drop Yarn B. 18 sts

Round 4: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times, drop Yarn B. 24 sts

Round 5: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times, ss in next 2 sts (slip stitches to not impact the stitch count). 30 sts

Fasten off Yarn B

Round 6: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 4 sts] six times, ss in next 2 sts. 36 sts

Fasten off Yarn A leaving a long tail (4-5 times the circumference) for joining to the body

Continue to body

Below you see what the finishes spiral in the medium size lools like.

Large Size Log

And here (below) is the largest Yule Log pattern, followed by the instructions to create the circular ends.

Using Yarn A, make a MR;

Round 1 (RS): Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 3sc in MR, pull up loop and remove hook from Yarn A, join Yarn B into MR, ch1, 3sc into MR, pull up loop and remove hook from Yarn B, pull ring tight, do not join or turn here or throughout. 6 sts

Round 2: Pick up Yarn A, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, drop Yarn B. 12 sts

Round 3: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times, drop Yarn B. 18 sts

Round 4: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 2 sts] three times, drop Yarn B. 24 sts

Round 5: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 3 sts] three times, drop Yarn B. 30 sts

Round 6: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 4 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 4 sts] three times, drop Yarn B. 36 sts

Round 7: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 5 sts] three times, drop Yarn A, pick up Yarn B, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 5 sts] three times, ss in next 2 sts (slip stitches to not impact the stitch count). 42 sts

Fasten off Yarn B

Round 8: Pick up Yarn A, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next 6 sts] six times, ss in next 2 sts. 48 sts

Fasten off Yarn A leaving a long tail (4-5 times the circumference) for joining to the body

Continue to body

Body

Below are the pieces you will be using to crochet the body.

Crochet Leaf Embellishment

Make as many as desired for decoration. The instructions for the decorations are the same for all sizes. 

Using Yarn C, ch9;

Row 1: 1ss in second ch from hook and next 7 ch, turn. 8 sts

Row 2: Ch1 (does not count as a st), working into the FLO of the ss you just worked, sk first ss, [1ss, 1sc, ch2, 1sc in next st] twice,

Row 2 Cont’d: 1ss, ch2, then moving around to crochet into the unworked loop of the ss on the other side of Row 1, 1ss in the unworked loop of the same ss you just worked into,

Row 2 Cont’d: [1sc, ch2, 1sc in next st, 1ss] twice, leaving the final st unworked. 14 sts (excluding chains)

Berry 1: Ch2, popcorn (see special stitches) in MR, ss into MR

If you wish to make multiple berries, repeat the instructions for Berry 1 two or three times, depending on how many berries you’d like. I advise a maximum of three berries in one ring, but you can make multiple separate berries if you want to go to town with them!

Fasten off Yarn D, pull the tail on the magic ring really tight and sew in that tail. The other tail will be used to sew the berry to the holly leaf

Now you have all the pieces ready to assemble your Yule log