Christmas Tree Collar DIY with Crochet

Crocheted Tree Collar on a Budget

Making a tree collar that looks good, folds for easy storage, and won’t break the bank took some thinking. This DIY Christmas tree collar hits all the check marks. Better yet there is no paint, glue, or sawdust to deal with. The chunky yarn means it crochets together quickly and the pattern is very simple, AND it stands up on its own.

If you have never crocheted before I took several hours to put together a very detailed tutorial for you. You will find the specific crochet stitch tutorials after the tree collar pattern for those who don’t need the tutorial.

I was looking to purchase a tree collar in white cord, but the prices were high ($125 Can) for anything really nice. Instead I whipped up this one using 6 skeins of thick and chunky wool, and believe me this tree collar turned out really Really nice!

You need to use 3 very simple crochet stitches, the chain stitch, the single crochet and the waistcoat stitch (a simple twist on the single crochet). Single crochet works very well for the tree collar as it helps it to be solid and stand up. If your new to crochet I really encourage you to try this tutorial. Crochet is so much easier and straightforward then knitting, or arm knitting. I have added thorough tutorials for each of the easy stitches at the end of the post.

Note: This pattern is crocheted in a continuous loop, so you need to put the tree collar on before decorating the tree.

Christmas Tree Collar Supplies

6 skeins of chunky wool, and a 25.00 mm huge crochet hook. Here is the wool I chose. Its a very big chunky wool thats easy to crochet with as you can see what your doing. Small crochet cotton is MUCH harder.

How Big Should a Christmas Collar Be

The typical tree collar is 26 inches across, so I started there and then placed the first chain stitch row around my tree bottom to make sure it would fit. Once I had the first chain row done, I placed it around my Christmas tree stand to make sure it would encircle my tree stand. To cover the entire tree stand I crocheted my tree collar to be 12 inches high. Here is the simple tree collar crochet pattern.

Crochet Tree Collar Pattern

Ch 60, connect to the first stitch in the chain with a slip stitch, ch 1. Mark the row 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 every stitch, in a continuous round for two rows.

Start the third round using the waistcoat stitch. Repeat the waistcoat stitch for 13 rounds. End when the tree collar the height you like. 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.

It stands up on its own because of the weight of the wool, to make the collar even more secure I used florists wire and attached the collar in four places to the bottom branches, to keep it in place.

How to Crochet a Christmas Tree Collar

Chain Stitch

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 a 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

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 your 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, 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 your done the first two rounds of single stitch.

Waistcoat Stitch

I chose the waistcoat stich because it is very strong and the reason the tree collar stands up on it own. As a bonus its almost identical to doing the single crotchet stitch.

The only difference between the single crochet and waistcoat stitch is the placement of the crochet hook in the previous row. difference with waist coat 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 DIY Christmas tree collar, a fun way to keep you hands busy while watching a Christmas Hallmark.

Tree Collar Tutorial Video

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

How to Put a Christmas Tree Collar on the Tree

As this is a solid round tree collar you can roll up to store I placed a note right at the start of the post that you need to place the tree collar on before decorating the tree.

To put this collar on I placed the Christmas tree stand on the floor where I wanted it. Then I put the tree collar around the stand making sure the entire stand was covered. Then Hubs and I assembled the tree. As a final touch I wired the top of the Christmas tree collar to the bottom branches of the tree in four places. The Christmas tree does stand on its own, but adding the wire will make it stays in place.

Want to Try This Christmas Tree Collar? Pin it!

Other DIY Tree Collars

DIY Rustic Wood Tree Bottom

This rustic wood Christmas Tree collar is beautiful made with wood and then stained dark walnut.