Waffle Stitch Pinecone Garland Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This waffle stitch pinecone garland is a cozy little bit of autumn you can hang anywhere — over a mantel, across a window, or down the middle of a seasonal table. It's made from five simple oval pinecones, each with a raised waffle-stitch band around its middle, joined along a single-crochet chain. The burgundy and gold recycled cotton gives it a warm, cottagecore feel that looks lovely against wood, linen, and candlelight. If you can single crochet, double crochet, and work a front post double crochet, you can make this garland — the texture does all the work for you.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4) recycled cotton, approx. 120 yd (110 m) total — 60 yd (55 m) in burgundy (Color A) and 60 yd (55 m) in gold (Color B).
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional), tape measure.
• Finished size: Each pinecone is 3 in (7.5 cm) wide x 4 in (10 cm) tall. Garland length is 48 in (122 cm) including hanging loops.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through the last two loops.
• fpdc — front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post (the vertical body) of the stitch below, from the front, instead of into the top of the stitch.
• inc — increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
• dec — decrease: work 2 sc together (insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, insert hook in following st, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops).
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• [ ] x6 — repeat the instructions inside the brackets six times.

Gauge

16 sts and 8 rows in waffle stitch = 4 in (10 cm). To check, work a small swatch of alternating dc and fpdc, then measure a 4 in (10 cm) section without stretching it.

Tips Before You Start

• Work the waffle band loosely — tight fpdc stitches pull the oval out of shape and make the pinecone narrow.
• Keep your increases and decreases evenly spaced around the oval so the pinecone stays symmetrical.
• Don't stuff the pinecones; they are meant to be flat, soft ovals that hang nicely against a wall or mantel.
• Leave a generous tail (about 10 in / 25 cm) on each pinecone for sewing it to the chain later.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pinecone (make 5: 3 in burgundy, 2 in gold)

R1: Ch 2, work 6 sc in the 2nd ch from hook. (6 sts)

R2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: [sc, inc] x6. (18 sts)

R4: [2 sc, inc] x6. (24 sts)

R5: [3 sc, inc] x6. (30 sts)

R6: [4 sc, inc] x6. (36 sts)

R7–10: Work in waffle stitch pattern: *dc in next st, fpdc around next st; repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R11: [4 sc, dec] x6. (30 sts)

R12: [3 sc, dec] x6. (24 sts)

R13: [2 sc, dec] x6. (18 sts)

R14: [sc, dec] x6. (12 sts)

R15: dec x6. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close.

Garland Chain

With B, ch 120 (or your desired length).

Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (119 sts)

Fasten off.

Hanging Loops (make 2)

At each end of the chain, attach yarn and ch 10, then sl st to the chain to form a loop. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the top of each pinecone to the chain using its yarn tail, spacing them 8 in (20 cm) apart and starting 4 in (10 cm) from each end. Alternate colors as you go (burgundy, gold, burgundy, gold, burgundy). Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting with water and pinning the chain flat and the pinecones into shape; let dry completely.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make a longer garland by chaining more stitches and adding extra pinecones at the same 8 in (20 cm) spacing.
• Swap the gold chain for a natural cream or deep green for a different seasonal look.
• Add a small cinnamon-stick "stem" tucked into the top of each pinecone before sewing for extra autumn charm.