A Santa with a curled white beard, a gingerbread man in a floppy hat and a penguin wrapped in a blue scarf: these granny square crochet patterns have plenty of festive detail. Start with eight Christmas and winter designs, then explore 15 animal and storybook squares for your next project. Every idea includes a free PDF download.
The holiday squares work well as starting points for decorative panels, cushion fronts or a sampler you plan yourself. The animal scenes offer a natural next make once Christmas is over. The downloads teach the squares and their motifs; complete cushion, bag and blanket assembly patterns are not included.
Choose a seasonal theme
| Theme | Designs | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas characters | Santa face, full-body Santa, reindeer, elf, gingerbread and angel | Items 1–6 |
| Winter favorites | Snowman and penguin in festive colors | Items 7–8 |
| Animal and nature scenes | Llama, deer, squirrel, hedgehog, bear and tree | Items 9–14 |
| Storybook scenes | Bears, small animals, gardens and changing weather | Items 15–23 |
Check the measurements before choosing a group. The eight holiday designs and the Storyteller squares list about 5½ inches across. The five woodland scene squares list about 5 inches. The llama is larger, at approximately 20 cm. Matching yarn labels or hook sizes alone will not make all of them join evenly.
1. Santa Face Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A scalloped white beard, curled mustache and floppy red hat make this Santa face the focus of the square. Green rounds and a fine white edge frame the portrait without competing with it.
Choose this version if you prefer a face motif to a full figure. The beard, hair and mustache build up in layers, and the PDF includes close-up photos of the assembly. Leave room for the hat when positioning the finished face.
2. Full-Body Santa Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
This Santa has the whole outfit: red coat, white trim, a belt and black boots. One raised arm gives him a cheerful pose, with a textured beard that stands out from the green background.
There are more components here than in the Santa-face square, including the coat, limbs and finishing details. Arrange the figure on the completed base before attaching it. The two Santa patterns share a theme, but they are distinct designs.
3. Christmas Reindeer Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A red nose, little antlers and a festive hat give this reindeer an unmistakable Christmas look. Its spotted body and patterned scarf add detail below the face, making it a strong choice for an animal-themed holiday panel.
The free PDF is a five-design Christmas bundle. Find the reindeer photo on page 17 and its instructions on pages 18–20. The same bundle also includes the penguin, gingerbread man, snowman and full-body Santa shown elsewhere in this list.
4. Christmas Elf Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
Pointed ears, a green hat and red trousers give the elf a lively silhouette. The dark belt and curled-looking shoes keep the outfit easy to read against the green square.
The PDF shows the head, ears, clothing and assembly, plus a scarf option. The main finished-square photo shows the elf without that scarf. Follow the version you prefer and allow time for the small clothing pieces.
5. Gingerbread Man Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
White icing details brighten the gingerbread figure’s arms and legs, while red buttons echo the Santa hat. It looks festive without relying on a face full of tiny separate pieces.
The pattern includes several embroidered face examples, so you can choose an expression before finishing. The body parts and hat are worked separately. This would make a playful focal square for a decorative kitchen wall hanging rather than a working hot pad.
6. Christmas Angel Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
Curly yellow hair and broad white wings frame a smiling angel in a gold-toned dress. The pale wings stand out against the red and green border, giving this square a different shape from the Santas and snowman.
The hair, wings, dress and small limbs all need finishing. Keep the wing tips clear of the outer edge if you plan to join the square later. The PDF’s component photos are useful for checking the arrangement before sewing.
7. Snowman Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
Three white sections form the snowman, topped with a black hat and an orange nose. Small brown arms and a touch of holly on the hat add detail without hiding the simple snowman outline.
The photos show the separate body circles before assembly, which makes the construction easy to follow visually. The pictured border is Christmas-colored; a blue-and-white palette is a possible winter variation, though it is not a separately tested version.
8. Winter Penguin Granny Square
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A blue hat and scarf give this penguin a snug winter look. Yellow feet and a tiny beak brighten the black-and-white body, while the red and green square keeps the pictured version firmly in the festive collection.
The PDF walks through the head, body, wings and accessories. It is a good animal-themed choice for PetsCrochet readers. For a January make, you could keep the penguin and choose a quieter border palette, checking the result with your own yarn.
More squares for a new-year project
Ready for a project after the holidays? The following squares are year-round animal and storybook designs. Choose one for a January making project, or save a few for gifts later in the year.
9. Llama Granny Square
Approx. 20 × 20 cm • DK yarn • 4 mm hook
A cream tuft sits between the llama’s long ears, with a soft beige face against pale blue. It gives the collection a quieter animal portrait after the bright Christmas characters.
This pattern uses DK yarn and a 4 mm hook, with a listed square size of about 20 cm. It is substantially larger than the other squares here. Make it as a standalone panel or plan a measured size adjustment before combining it with them.
10. Woodland Deer Granny Square
Approx. 5-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A small spotted deer stands beside a small rabbit, framed by flowers and a yellow scalloped border. Its red bow adds a warm accent, but the whole scene is woodland-themed rather than a Christmas reindeer design.
Use it for a year-round animal project or a handmade gift. The deer is listed at roughly 3 by 4 inches on a 5-inch square. Its finished square is smaller than the Christmas group, so measure before mixing them.
11. Squirrel Granny Square
Approx. 5-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
The squirrel’s large curling tail fills the right side of the square, balanced by a red apple and tiny flowers. A ladybug near the top adds another little detail to discover.
The PDF includes the animal parts and decorative elements. It is a good choice when you enjoy assembling a small scene, rather than making a single face. Keep the tail visible when deciding where to place the squirrel on the background.
12. Hedgehog Granny Square
Approx. 5-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A textured brown back gives this hedgehog its spiky appearance, with a pale face, a red mushroom and a spiral-shelled snail nearby. The bright border makes the little woodland scene feel cheerful.
The hedgehog and its companions have separate components. Set out the whole scene before sewing so the mushroom and snail have enough space. This design suits an animal sampler at any time of year.
13. Bear and Beehive Granny Square
Approx. 5-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A brown bear reaches toward a golden beehive, with small bees scattered across the cream background. The dark outer border picks up the bear’s color and contains the busy scene.
This is a standalone woodland bear pattern, separate from the Storyteller series below. The bear is listed at about 2½ by 4 inches on a 5-inch square. Use the placement photos to balance the hive, bees and leaves.
14. Tree and Birds Granny Square
Approx. 5-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
Layered green leaves fill a branching tree, with two yellow birds nestled among them. A cream background keeps the individual leaves visible and gives the scene a softer look than the red-and-green holiday squares.
This is a leafy woodland tree, not a Christmas tree. The photos show the bare branches and the added leaves, which helps when arranging the canopy. It would be a useful companion to the deer or bear in a nature-themed project.
15. Bears Under the Stars, Storyteller 12
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
Two bears sit close together beneath a dark blue sky and a single yellow star. The navy and pink clothes give each character its own identity, while the green edging links it visually to the other Storyteller scenes.
This is the quietest scene in the supplied storybook group. It could suit a thoughtful gift or a first project of the new year, but it is not a New Year’s Eve motif. Keep the star and sky visible behind both bears.
16. Bears Coming Home, Storyteller 11
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A small house with a red roof rises behind two bears, a cat and a yellow duck. The cream background gives the scene a homely feel, even with several characters sharing one square.
The house and fence add construction beyond the bear figures. Assemble the larger background pieces first according to the PDF, then check where the smaller animals sit. It makes a detailed standalone picture square.
17. Rainbow Friends, Storyteller 10
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A rainbow arches above two bears, a yellow duck and a small cat. The sun at one side keeps the scene bright, with the characters filling the lower half of the square.
For January, this can be a cheerful fresh-start project without claiming to be a New Year decoration. Keep the rainbow’s arc clear when arranging the figures. The layered parts take more finishing than a plain square.
18. Bears Under an Umbrella, Storyteller 09
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A broad blue umbrella shelters two bears and their small animal companions. Blue raindrops around the figures make the weather theme clear, with the umbrella acting as the main shape in the design.
Use the detail photos to check the umbrella panels and handle. This is a rainy-day scene suitable for year-round making. Its broad top also provides a useful visual contrast to the narrower animal portraits in a sampler.
19. Bear by the Pond, Storyteller 07
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A bear in a blue hat sits beside a little pond and a yellow duck, with a cat above. The bear’s dark glasses give the scene a relaxed, sunny-day character.
The water shape and duck anchor the lower edge, so check their placement before fastening the smaller details. This is a year-round companion pattern, not part of the Christmas count. It would be fun in an animal-story wall display.
20. Garden Harvest Bear, Storyteller 06
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A flower-trimmed blue hat, a basket of vegetables and small animal companions turn this bear square into a garden scene. The bright produce adds tiny spots of orange, red and green.
This is a detailed choice for someone who likes small appliqués. Group the basket and vegetables together before deciding on their final position. It is better suited to a garden or animal theme than to a holiday-specific label.
21. Apple-Picking Bear, Storyteller 05
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A bear in a yellow hat reaches toward an apple branch, with a small cat and orange squirrel nearby. The red apples stand out against the pale background and bring the whole scene together.
Several small shapes share the square, so compare their positions with the finished photo as you assemble them. This is a good companion to the woodland squirrel, although the two PDFs list different square sizes.
22. Bear Watering Flowers, Storyteller 04
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A blue watering can sits in front of a bear in a matching hat, surrounded by sunflowers and smaller blooms. A little cat completes the garden scene.
The PDF includes close-up references and a French-knot illustration for the fine details. Give the flowers enough room around the watering can. This pattern offers a spring-minded project to start in January without needing a seasonal redesign.
23. Bear with a Flower Cart, Storyteller 03
Approx. 5½-inch square • worsted-weight yarn • 2.5 mm example hook
A flower-filled cart, yellow duck and bear in a straw-colored hat make this one of the busiest scenes in the set. Bright petals fill the left side while the bear balances the right.
Build up the cart and flower arrangement using the PDF photos as a guide. The supplied Storyteller files cover selected scenes, not all twelve chapters, so you can choose individual favorites rather than expecting a complete numbered series.
Plan the square before the bigger project
Make one complete square before buying yarn for a whole sampler. Measure it after finishing and any blocking appropriate for the yarn. Compare both the side length and the edge stitch count with the neighboring square.
An extra border can change the dimensions, but it needs a sample to check that the sides stay flat and the corners line up. There is no verified joining adjustment that makes every pattern in this collection interchangeable.
Gather yarn and finishing supplies
Most of these PDFs specify small amounts of worsted-weight yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, with permission to choose a hook suited to the yarn. Treat that as the pattern’s starting point and check the resulting fabric and size. The llama uses DK yarn and a 4 mm hook.
All use US crochet terms. You will also need scissors and a yarn needle. Several patterns mention optional beads; stitched facial details are another way to finish a decorative square. Read the complete materials list and assembly directions before starting.
Which designs work after Christmas?
The snowman and penguin have clear winter appeal. Their pictured borders are festive, so a different palette would be your own variation. The woodland and storybook squares can be made in January without any change at all.
For a manageable new-year project, choose one scene, finish all its details and decide what to make from it afterward. These are individual motifs, so there is no need to commit to a full blanket at the start.
Are these beginner granny squares?
Many begin with a square base, but the faces, clothing and little props add shaping, embroidery and assembly. Choose according to the techniques in the PDF rather than assuming every small project is simple. The photos help with placement; they do not replace the written stitch directions.
Can you make gifts for animal lovers?
Yes. The reindeer and penguin bring animals into a Christmas project, while the llama, woodland scenes and storybook bears offer year-round choices. A framed square or decorative panel keeps the detailed scene visible. These are decorative motifs for people, rather than pet-toy patterns.
How many free PDFs are included?
There are 23 downloads covering 23 distinct square ideas. The reindeer download is a five-design bundle, so four motifs appear again in their own individual PDFs. They are counted only once in this article. The nine Storyteller downloads are selected scenes, not the complete twelve-scene series.
Choose your first festive square
For a classic Christmas look, start with either Santa. For an animal theme, try the reindeer or penguin. If your next project will begin in January, browse the woodland and storybook scenes before deciding. Open your chosen free PDF, check the measurements and make the square you most want to see finished.
