DIY Christmas Tree Collar with Free Crochet Pattern and Video

DIY Christmas Tree Collar on a Budget

It’s that time of year when we start thinking about Christmas decorating, and I’m excited to share this quick-to-make DIY Christmas tree collar. I wanted a tree collar that looked good, folded for easy storage, and didn’t cost a fortune. This chunky crocheted version checks all those boxes and adds a soft, cozy finish around the base of the tree.

My favorite thing about this Christmas craft is that I could work on it quietly amid all the other Christmas preparations, with no cleanup, paint, glue, or sawdust to deal with.

What is a Christmas Tree Collar?

Christmas tree collars are a modern twist on Christmas tree skirts over the last few years, the Christmas tree collar has replaced the traditional Christmas tree skirt in popularity. The tree collar not only looks beautiful it’s also a great way to hide the ugly tree stand and fake green tree trunk at the bottom of the tree.

How Big Should a Christmas Collar Be?

The typical tree collar is about 26 inches across, so I started there. After making the foundation chain, I wrapped it around the tree stand to make sure it would fit before continuing. To cover the entire tree stand, I crocheted my tree collar to be 12 inches high.

How to Make a DIY Christmas Tree Collar

Christmas Tree Collar Supplies

• 6 skeins of chunky yarn. I used #7 jumbo weight yarn.
• 25.00 mm crochet hook. This is a very large hook, but craft stores that carry jumbo yarn usually carry the hooks as well.
• Stitch marker or a safety pin

Here is the yarn I chose. It is a very thick, chunky yarn that works up quickly and helps the collar hold its shape. You don’t have to use cream, but I recommend choosing a solid color.

New to Crochet?

If you have never crocheted before, I created a thorough step-by-step guide to help you get started with the basic stitches. If anything in this pattern feels unfamiliar, take a look at my Beginner’s Guide to Crochet – How to Get Started.

Tree Collar Free Crochet Pattern

Here is the easy pattern, the step-by-step stitch tutorials are farther down the post.

Ch 60, connect to the first stitch in the chain with a slip stitch (sl st), ch 1. Mark the end of the row with a stitch marker (I used a simple pin in the stitch). The circle should be about 26″ across, depending on tension.

Be very cautious and double-check not to twist the chain.

Starting with the second chain from hook, single crochet in the next st, and then in every stitch for two continuous rounds.

Start the third round using the waistcoat stitch. Repeat the waistcoat stitch for 13 rounds.

Continue until the tree collar is the height you want. My tree collar is 12 inches high and fits right up into the branches of my tree. Pull through and knot. Weave in any ends.

Here is the crocheted tree collar standing all on its own.

How to Add the Christmas Tree Collar

We have an artificial Christmas tree, so we placed the crochet collar on the floor first, then added the tree base and branches. Because the collar is a complete circle, it needs to go on before the tree is decorated.

The collar stands up on its own because of the weight of the yarn, but to make it more secure around the gift boxes, I attached it to the lower branches with florist wire.

Crochet Stitch Guide for Beginners

If you have never crocheted before, I recently created a very thorough step-by-step guide to help you get comfortable with the basic crochet stitches. You can also use my Beginners Guide to Crochet – How to Get Started.  TThere is a video tutorial for this tree collar farther down the post as well.

Chain Stitches

This stitch is how a wide variety of crochet patterns start. Some patterns will call it a foundation row.

First, make a slip knot loop. Feed the crochet hook through the loop. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull through. First chain stitch made. Confused yet? Here is an image to help you.

The tree collar pattern starts by doing the first chain loop and then doing it 60 more times.

Connect the long string of 60 chain stitches into a loop. Place your crochet hook into the first chain stitch you made, yarn over hook and pull through. Do it once more: yarn over hook and pull through. Your first row is done.

Single Crochet Stitches

After you form the foundation chain of stitches, insert the hook through the first chain. Yarn over hook, pull through. You will now have a large loop. Take a pin and mark this stitch (just so you know when you’re done on the very last row)

To start the first round of single crochet, begin by inserting the crochet hook in the second space from the hook as shown.

 Slide the hook under both loops on the top of the chain.

Wrap the yarn over your crochet hook, and grab it with the hook. Pull through one loop, yarn over hook. You should now have two loops on your hook.

Yarn over hook again, and pull through both loops. Single crochet stitch done.

Repeat this in every stitch for two rows. Use the pin marker to let you know when you’re done with the first two rounds of single crochet stitches.

Waistcoat Stitch

I chose the waistcoat stitch because it is very strong, and is why the tree collar stands up on its own. As a bonus, it’s almost identical to doing the single crochet stitch.

The only difference between the single crochet and waistcoat stitch is the placement of the crochet hook in the previous row. The difference with the waistcoat stitch is that you place the stitch between the V on the previous row.

Insert hook at the V, there will be two threads on each side (love the big yarn for this) yarn over hook, pull through. There will be two loops on hook. Yarn over hook, pull through both loops. Repeat.

This heavy-gauge wool is heavier to work with, and so is the crochet hook, than the regular-sized yarn is. I found it easier to place the tree collar over my lap while working it and using my finger to find the specific hole before inserting the crochet hook.

It only took a couple of hours to make the crochet the whole thing.

Tree Collar Tutorial Video

If you don’t find the images enough to help make your DIY Christmas tree collar, I did a video with a simple tutorial of me making this tree collar for you.

This collar is a fun project to keep your hands busy while watching a Christmas Hallmark. I hope you’re enjoying preparing for the Christmas season like I am. I love making and putting up all the different Christmas decorations. As long as I manage to be organized, preparing for Christmas is as enjoyable for me as the holiday season is.

Happy Christmas Crafting, Leanna

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Other Christmas Tree Decorations to Try