Free Acorn Crochet Pattern: A Little Woodland Charm for Fall
There’s still plenty of autumn to enjoy! This little crochet acorn adds a cheerful handmade touch to a shelf, tiered tray, or Thanksgiving display. With its textured brown cap, tiny leaves, and smiling face, it’s a sweet project for fall decorating or gifting.
The pattern below uses medium weight yarn, but you can also use bulky yarn and a larger hook to make a bigger plush version.
Prefer a printable copy with video references? You can purchase the Acorn Crochet Pattern PDF in my shop. The printable version includes step-by-step instructions, supporting photos, and links to video demonstrations. Your support helps me continue sharing free patterns here on the blog!
Pattern Details
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Skill level: Easy
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Terminology: U.S. crochet terms
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Construction: Primarily worked in continuous rounds, with joined rounds at the cap transition. The stem and leaves are made separately and sewn on.
Materials
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Medium weight/category 4 yarn in light brown, dark brown, green, and orange
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U.S. E/3.5 mm crochet hook
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Two 10 mm safety eyes
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Fiberfill stuffing
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Black embroidery thread
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Yarn needle
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Stitch marker
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Scissors
For a larger version: Use bulky yarn, a U.S. J/6.0 mm crochet hook, and two 15 mm safety eyes.
Making this for a young child? Embroider the eyes instead of using plastic safety eyes.
Stitches & Abbreviations
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BLO: Back loop only
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CH: Chain
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DEC: Decrease
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FLO: Front loop only
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INC: Increase; work 2 SC in the same stitch
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MR: Magic ring
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SC: Single crochet
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SL ST: Slip stitch
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ST(S): Stitch(es)
Single Crochet Decrease
Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the following stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on your hook.
Invisible Decrease
You may substitute an invisible decrease for a regular decrease.
Insert your hook under the front loop of the next stitch, then under the front loop of the following stitch. Yarn over and pull through both front loops. Yarn over again and pull through the remaining 2 loops on your hook.
Pattern Notes
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Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each continuous round.
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Join Rounds 13, 14, and 15 as directed. Beginning with Round 16, return to continuous rounds.
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A CH 1 at the beginning of a round does not count as a stitch.
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Stitch counts appear in parentheses.
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The bottom corners may look slightly pointed before stuffing. They will round out as you add stuffing. Gently push the corners inward as needed to help your acorn sit upright.
For help beginning the acorn and completing Rounds 14 and 15, watch the Acorn Crochet Video Demonstration.
Free Acorn Crochet Pattern
Acorn Body & Cap
Begin with light brown yarn and a 3.5 mm hook.
CH 13.
Round 1: SC in the second CH from your hook and in each remaining CH. Rotate your work to crochet along the opposite side of the foundation chain. SC in each of the 12 stitches along this side. (24 SC)
Round 2: (SC in the next 2 STS, INC in the next ST) 8 times. (32 SC)
Round 3: SC in each ST around. (32 SC)
Round 4: Working in BLO, SC in each ST around. (32 SC)
Round 5: (SC in the next 3 STS, INC in the next ST) 8 times. (40 SC)
Round 6: SC in each ST around. (40 SC)
Round 7: (SC in the next 4 STS, INC in the next ST) 8 times. (48 SC)
Rounds 8–13: SC in each ST around. (48 SC per round)
After Round 13, SL ST to the first SC to join, changing to dark brown yarn. CH 1.
Round 14: Working in FLO, SC in each ST around. SL ST to the first SC to join. CH 1. (48 SC)
Round 15: Work a SC into each unused back loop remaining from Round 14. SL ST to the first SC of Round 15 to join. CH 1. (48 SC)
Rounds 16–17: SC in each ST around. Do not join; continue working in continuous rounds. (48 SC per round)
Round 18: (SC in the next 4 STS, DEC over the next 2 STS) 8 times. (40 SC)
Round 19: (SC in the next 8 STS, DEC over the next 2 STS) 4 times. (36 SC)
Round 20: (SC in the next 4 STS, DEC over the next 2 STS) 6 times. (30 SC)
Add the Face
Place the 10 mm safety eyes between Rounds 7 and 8, approximately 5 stitches apart.
Using green or orange yarn, embroider a small accent beneath each eye. Add eyelashes or eyebrows with black embroidery thread if desired.
For the mouth, embroider a small “V” approximately one round below the eyes, centered between them.
Once you are happy with the placement, secure the safety-eye washers inside the acorn. Begin lightly stuffing the body with fiberfill.
Finish the Acorn
Round 21: (SC in the next 3 STS, DEC over the next 2 STS) 6 times. (24 SC)
Round 22: (SC in the next 2 STS, DEC over the next 2 STS) 6 times. (18 SC)
Round 23: (SC in the next ST, DEC over the next 2 STS) 6 times. (12 SC)
Round 24: (SC in the next 2 STS, DEC over the next 2 STS) 3 times. (9 SC)
Finish lightly stuffing the acorn. Fasten off, leaving a tail for closing.
Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and pass it through the front loops of the remaining stitches. Gently pull to close the opening, secure, and weave in the end.
Stem
Using dark brown yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:
Round 1: Work 6 SC into a MR. (6 SC)
Round 2: Working in BLO, SC in each ST around. (6 SC)
Rounds 3–5: SC in each ST around. (6 SC per round)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Lightly stuff the stem, then sew it to the center of the acorn’s cap.
Leaves — Make 2
Use a 3.5 mm hook and your desired leaf colors. The sample uses light green and orange.
Leave a long starting tail for attaching the leaf.
CH 8.
First Side
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SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next 2 CHS.
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CH 3. SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next CH. SL ST back into the same foundation-chain stitch where this branch began.
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SL ST in the next 2 CHS of the foundation chain.
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CH 4. SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next 2 CHS. SL ST back into the same foundation-chain stitch where this branch began.
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SL ST in the next 2 CHS of the foundation chain.
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CH 5. SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next 3 CHS. SL ST back into the same foundation-chain stitch where this branch began. This is the last stitch of the foundation chain.
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CH 1 and turn to work along the opposite side of the foundation chain.
Second Side
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SL ST into the first foundation-chain stitch on this side.
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CH 5. SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next 3 CHS. SL ST back into the same foundation-chain stitch where this branch began.
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SL ST in the next 2 CHS of the foundation chain.
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CH 4. SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next 2 CHS. SL ST back into the same foundation-chain stitch where this branch began.
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SL ST in the next 2 CHS of the foundation chain.
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CH 3. SL ST in the second CH from your hook and in the next CH. SL ST back into the same foundation-chain stitch where this branch began.
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SL ST in the next CH of the foundation chain and fasten off.
Weave the finishing tail back toward the starting tail, leaving both tails available for assembly.
Sew both leaves to the cap beside the stem.
Your Little Acorn Is Finished!
Set your acorn among your pumpkins, add it to an autumn tray, or give it to someone who could use a little handmade cheer. Try different leaf colors to make each one your own!
If you enjoyed this free pattern and would like a copy to keep, the printable Acorn Crochet Pattern is available in my shop.
I would love to see your finished acorns! Tag @cloud9_knots on Instagram so I can see what you create.
Thank you for stitching along with me and supporting Cloud 9 Knots!
Pattern Use & Copyright
You are welcome to use this pattern to create and sell finished items. Please credit Nicole Mansfield of Cloud 9 Knots as the designer whenever possible.
This pattern, including all photos and written instructions, may not be copied, republished, redistributed, shared, or resold in any form. Please do not use my photos without permission.
You are welcome to share a link to this blog post so others can enjoy the free pattern.