Looking for a creative and personal crochet project this Christmas? This Santa Frame Ornament is the perfect mix of handmade charm and holiday fun! 🧵 You can add your favorite photos children, pets, friends, or even yourself to create a personalized keepsake that everyone will adore.
This festive crochet ornament works up quickly using just small amounts of yarn. The design features Santa’s fluffy beard, red hat, and a round frame to showcase your chosen face.
Hang it on your Christmas tree, use it as a gift tag, or create an entire family collection to make your holiday décor extra special!
🧶 Materials
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Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
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White – ~10 yds
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Red – ~4 yds
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Hook: 3.5 mm / E crochet hook
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Yarn needle for weaving in ends
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Facial picture to insert (printed on plain paper)
📏 Gauge: Not critical.
First two rounds measure about 2” (5 cm).
📐 Finished Size:
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Head with hat: ~4” (10.2 cm)
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Total with hanger: ~5½” (14 cm)
💡 You can adjust the hook size to make a larger or smaller frame.
🪡 Abbreviations (US Terms)
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Beg = Beginning
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BLO = Back Loop Only
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Ch = Chain
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Dc = Double Crochet
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Dc-Inc = 2 double crochets in same stitch
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FO = Fasten Off
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Hdc = Half Double Crochet
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Lp(s) = Loop(s)
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MR = Magic Ring
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Rnd(s) = Round(s)
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RS = Right Side
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Sc = Single Crochet
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Sc-Dec = Single Crochet Decrease (2 sc together)
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Sc-Inc = Single Crochet Increase (2 sc in same stitch)
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Sk = Skip
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Ss = Slip Stitch
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St(s) = Stitch(es)
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WS = Wrong Side
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YO = Yarn Over
📜 Notes
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This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
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Gauge is not essential — your Santa will look great in most yarn weights.
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Use a stitch marker or a small piece of yarn to mark stitches when needed.
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For your photo: print on plain paper and cut a circle about 2” (5 cm) in diameter.
Leave about ¼–½” (0.6–1.3 cm) below the chin so the face sits perfectly inside the frame.
📖 Copyright Notice:
This is a free pattern for your personal use.
You may sell finished items, but please do not reproduce or sell the pattern itself.
🎄 Santa Frame Ornament Pattern
Head
Rnd 1: With white yarn, make a MR. Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Work 10 dc into the ring, join with a ss to the first st. (10 dc)
Tip: Pull the beginning yarn end to close the circle tightly.
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each st around, with 3 dc in the last st. Join. (21 dc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join to the first sc and mark this joined st. (42 sc)
Do not fasten off.
Beard
💡 Note: Row 4 is a short row, worked on part of the round only.
Row 4 (WS): Turn to wrong side. Ch 5. Working in BLO:
Sk next 2 sts, sc in next st.
(Ch 5, Sk next 2 sts, sc in next st) repeat 7 more times,
Ch 5, Sk 2 sts, and ss in both loops of the next st.
The last 14 sts will not be used. (9 loops made)
Row 5 (RS): Turn to right side and work behind the loops.
Ch 1, Sc-Dec in BLO over the 2 skipped sts between each of the 9 loops.
Do not stitch in the used stitches for the beard. (9 decreases)
Ss in marked st, then ss in next unused st of Round 3.
Remove the first marker and mark the next unstitched sc on Round 3.
Hat Trim
Foundation Row: Ch 10. Skip next 12 sts of Round 3. Ss to next st (last free st).
Turn, keeping beard on bottom. Pull the working yarn down to the right and behind.
Sc through both the first ch and next free st of Round 3.
Sc-Inc in next ch. Sc across next 6 ch. Sc-Inc in next ch.
Sc through both the last ch and next free st of Round 3 (marked sc).
FO, remove marker, and weave in ends. (12 sc)
Hat
With red yarn and RS facing:
Row 1: Join with a ss in 1st sc of hat trim. Sc across, turn. (12 sc)
Rows 2–5: Ch 1, sc across with a Sc-Dec in first and last sts of each row. Turn. (10, 8, 6, 4)
Row 6: Ch 1, Sc-Dec twice. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 7: Sc-Dec, then Ch 20 for the hanger, and join to side of the last decrease.
FO and weave in all ends.
Slip your face photo into the back opening of the ornament.
🎁 Finishing Touches
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Add a small pom pom or white bead to the tip of Santa’s hat.
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Use the 20-ch loop as a hanger for your Christmas tree.
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You can also glue a piece of felt or fabric behind the face for a neater finish.
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Personalize it with each family member’s picture — a great DIY gift idea!
This Santa Frame Ornament is a fun and festive crochet project that makes the holidays feel extra special. It’s quick to make, perfect for beginners, and adds a heartwarming touch to your Christmas tree. Whether you feature a family portrait, your child’s smile, or even your pet in the frame, this handmade ornament will become a cherished keepsake year after year.
