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Let’s reduce plastic waste together by making one of these reusable crochet advent calendar patterns that you can keep using year after year.
When advent calendars were first made, they were paper and cardboard with little doors or windows simply to count down the days until Christmas.
Now they are a mix of paper and plastics and unfortunately contribute towards the 125,000 tonnes of plastic waste produced every year in the UK alone.
Here is a list of 15 of my favourites.
Which Yarns to Use for Advent Calendars?
Advent calendars are put on display for a whole month, are possibly filled with candy and may have sticky fingers touching them.
Cotton yarn would be the best option for an advent calendar because it is natural, durable and hard wearing making it perfect for items that may need to be washed over and over.
It is also breathable, hypoallergenic and gentle on delicate skin and won’t shed micro plastics which is great for kids.
Which Cotton Yarns Are Best?
The best option and most sustainable one is the one you already have in your stash.
Check the weights of what you have available against the pattern you like and go with that. If it is slightly off, don’t worry too much, the finished item will simply come out larger or smaller.
Most of the patters listed here use worsted and DK weights; here are some of my favourites.
Yarn Suggestions
15 Crochet Advent Calendar Patterns
Festive Advent Calendar Pattern - Briana K. Designs
A beautifully simple advent calendar pattern, in colours that remind me of nature and bringing the outside in.
With round wooden numbers, subtle Christmas trees and a cinnamon stick day marker.
Woodland Advent Calendar Pattern - Concrete Gems
Count down the days until Christmas with 24 nature inspired crochet decorations to hang on the tree in the centre of this woodland advent calendar. No need for chocolate or gifts; just your yarn and hook.
Snowman Advent Calendar - Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
This snowman will definitely becoming a keepsake and something to proudly display in your home every year.
You’ll need super bulky and worsted weight yarn and you can stuff it with fabric off cuts or old clean clothes to keep it sustainable.
House Advent Calendar - Laura Loves Crochet
A cute little house wall hanging with 24 windows as pockets for a small gift each day.
With beautifully embroidered lights and greenery to decorate the house, plus a small Santa that sits in the chimney.
Santa Amigurumi Advent Calendar - Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
A fun little Santa upside-down in a chimney with a Santas sack filled with number tiles to help count down the days until Christmas.
Santa can also go legs first and has a small stress ball inside it’s head for those of us who need a de-stress moment during the holidays.
Gnome Sweet Gnome Advent Calendar - Keep Calm and Crochet On
The cutest gnome crochet advent calendar to hang on the back of the door or in the living room. It’s red body filled with pockets for a small gift each day.
Change the colours to suit your decor or mood.
Countdown to Christmas, Tree & Gifts - Laura Loves Crochet
Just want to count down the days? Then these next three patterns are perfect for you.
Adjust the die inside the box to mark the date and enjoy the cute crocheted decorations on top.
Countdown to Christmas Snow Family - Laura Loves Crochet
An adorable crochet snow family atop a crocheted date marker with two die inside to mark the date.
No waste and no plastic if you use a plant based yarn like cotton.
Countdown to Christmas Nativity - Laura Loves Crochet
Set the Nativity scene and countdown the days at the same time.
Complete with Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus and a bright star to guide the way.
Advent Calendar - Mignon Crochet
A modern macrame styled advent calendar wall hanging with 24 pockets in pastel colours.
With the 24th pocket bigger than the rest you can include a larger final gift.
Christmas Tree Advent Calendar - Laura Loves Crochet
A colourful Christmas Tree made with hexagonal shapes and covered in stars, baubles, bells and boxes that act as small pockets to house your gifts.
One side has white numbers to mark each day. Open the gift for a specific day and then turn the shape around to reveal an embroidered decoration on the other side to decorate the tree.
Nativity Scene Advent Calendar - Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
A double sided advent calendar pattern which has 25 crocheted boxes on the front for gifts and on the back is a crocheted Nativity Scene that can be displayed after or before.
Nativity Scene Wall Hanging Calendar - Laura Loves Crochet
A Nativity scene wall hanging complete with crocheted Amigurumi sheep, donkey, camels, wise men, gifts, angels, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
Plus twenty four small pockets for gifts and marking the days.
Christmas Lights Advent Calendar - Laura Loves Crochet
A unique calendar with gorgeously embroidered Christmas lights over the pockets and around the background.
With multicoloured pouches and small wooden numbers to house mini gifts
Easy Advent Calendar Crochet Pattern - Fosbas Designs
A super easy advent calendar with medium sized pockets and in a gradient of two colours and alternating red and white numbers.
Adjust the colours to match your Christmas decor. Suitable for beginner crocheters.
15 crochet advent calendars to keep using year after year. Use a plant based yarn, stuff them with fabric off cuts and save waste whilst bringing joy to the holidays.