How to Crochet a Gingerbread Man Ornament

1. 1

   Step 1: Crochet the First Leg of the Gingerbread Man Panel

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   Make a slip knot with brown yarn, leaving a tail to weave in later, and chain 4. For row 1, single crochet in the second chain from the hook and across, so you have 3 stitches. Chain 1 and turn at the end of every row. In row 2, put two single crochets in the first stitch, then one in each of the last two, for 4. Rows 3 and 4 are 4 single crochets each.

   Tip:

   You need two matching panels, a front and a back. Make the whole panel once, then repeat it before you add any decoration.

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   Used in this stepCrochet hook size G/4mm

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2. 2

   Step 2: Chain for the Gingerbread Man Torso and Work Back Across

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   In row 5, single crochet across the 4 leg stitches, then chain 7. That chain makes room for the body and the second leg. Turn and work row 6 back along it: 6 single crochets into the chain and 4 into the top of the leg, for 10 stitches. The work wants to twist here, so keep the chain flat as you go. Rows 7, 8 and 9 are 10 single crochets each.

   Tip:

   Clip a stitch marker into the first stitch of row 6. It makes the next rows easy to count.

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   Used in this steplocking stitch markersCrochet hook size G/4mm

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3. 3

   Step 3: Decrease to Shape the Gingerbread Man Shoulders

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   Now the body narrows toward the neck. In row 10, single crochet two stitches together at the start, then single crochet the next 8, for 9 stitches. Row 11 is a decrease and 7 single crochets, for 8. In row 12, decrease at both ends with 4 single crochets between, for 6. That small dip is the neck, and it is where the arms join later.

   Tip:

   To decrease, pull up a loop in each of two stitches, then yarn over and pull through all three loops at once.

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   Used in this stepCrochet hook size G/4mm

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4. 4

   Step 4: Increase and Decrease to Shape the Gingerbread Man Head

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   The head grows out from the neck. Rows 13, 14 and 15 each start and end with two single crochets in one stitch, which takes you from 8 to 10 to 12 stitches. Work rows 16, 17 and 18 even at 12. Then reverse it: rows 19 to 22 decrease at both ends, down to 10, 8, 6 and 4. Chain 1, cut the yarn and pull it through, then weave in the ends.

   Tip:

   Lay the panel flat after row 15. Both sides of the head should flare out evenly.

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   Used in this steplarge eye tapestry needles for yarn

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5. 5

   Step 5: Crochet the Second Leg of the Gingerbread Man

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   Turn the panel upside down so the legs point up. Make a slip knot, insert your hook at the far right of the bottom edge, and single crochet. Work 3 more single crochets across, for 4. Rows 2, 3 and 4 are 4 single crochets each. In row 5, decrease once and single crochet the last 2, for 3 stitches. Fasten off and weave the tails into the leg.

   Tip:

   Hold the new leg next to the first one. They should be the same length before you fasten off.

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   Used in this stepCrochet hook size G/4mm

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6. 6

   Step 6: Crochet Both Arms of the Gingerbread Man

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   Join brown yarn on one side of the body, right below the neck dip. Single crochet 4 stitches down the edge to start the arm. Row 2 is 4 single crochets. In row 3, decrease once and single crochet 2, for 3. Row 4 is one more decrease and 1 single crochet, for 2. Cut the yarn, flip the panel over and add the second arm the same way on the other side.

   Tip:

   Join both arms on the same row so the shoulders sit level.

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   Used in this stepCrochet hook size G/4mm

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7. 7

   Step 7: Stitch White Frosting Zigzags on the Gingerbread Man

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   Thread a long piece of white yarn onto a yarn needle. Come up from the back near the end of an arm and leave a tail behind. Make a slanted stitch, come back up beside it, and go down through the top of the last stitch to form a zigzag. Work across the arm, the legs and the forehead. Knot the ends together on the back and trim.

   Tip:

   Keep the stitches loose. Tight frosting puckers the fabric. You can decorate both panels or the front only.

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   Used in this stepwhite worsted weight acrylic yarnlarge eye tapestry needles for yarn

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8. 8

   Step 8: Add Safety Eyes and a Smile to the Gingerbread Man

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   Count down from the top of the head and push a 12 mm safety eye between rows 6 and 7, about 3 stitches in from the edge. Place the second eye on the same row, check that they match, then snap the washers on the back. For the mouth, use black yarn and stitch a wide V below the eyes. Leave it a little slack so it curves into a smile, then knot it on the back.

   Tip:

   Safety eyes can come loose with hard chewing. For ornaments within reach of small children, embroidered eyes in black yarn are safer.

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   Used in this step12mm Safety Eyes (Amigurumi)large eye tapestry needles for yarn

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9. 9

   Step 9: Crochet Two Round Buttons for the Gingerbread Man

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   Make a magic circle with pink or blue yarn. Work 4 single crochets into the ring, then pull the tail to close it tight. Slip stitch into the first single crochet and cut the yarn, leaving long tails. Make a second button. Sew each one to the front panel by running a tail through its edge stitches, then go around again with the other tail and knot on the back.

   Tip:

   Skip the chain 1 before you fasten off. The button stays rounder.

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   Used in this steppink worsted weight yarnCrochet hook size G/4mmlarge eye tapestry needles for yarn

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10. 10

    Step 10: Join and Stuff the Gingerbread Man Ornament

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    Stack the two panels with the right sides out and the stitches lined up. Start at the top of one arm, insert the hook through both layers, and single crochet around the edge. At the armpits, shoulders and between the legs, slip stitch instead so the corners stay crisp. Stop at the top of the other arm, stuff the body lightly, then the head, and finish the round. Weave the last tail to the inside.

    Tip:

    Add the hanging loop before you close the head, so the knot stays hidden inside.

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    Used in this steppolyester fiberfill stuffingCrochet hook size G/4mm

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Keep going

How to Crochet a Christmas Tree Ornament

10 steps · about 15 minutes

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