Free Crochet Pattern: Spooky Ghost Garland

Is it just me or does it feel like you have less and less time as the holidays approach? Maybe it’s just me and all 20 tabs in my brain make it seem like I have too much going on, lol. Either way, this is one pattern that you can whip up in less than a day: Free Crochet Pattern: Spooky Ghost Garland.

If you’re like me, then you probably have a bunch of random skeins of white yarn (always missing the labels and probably at least a little tangled) and this project is PERFECT for stash busting! Each ghost only takes about 22 yards and you can use any type and weight of yarn for a cool variation in sizes!

And the best part, it’s NO SEW! (Seriously, I’m really into projects where I don’t have to sew on a ton of limbs at the moment, lol)

This quick, easy, and customizable (ghost garland) is a great way to add a little spooky flair to your Halloween décor and do some stash busting too!

©2021 cbfiberworks. This pattern or it’s parts are not allowed to be redistributed, copied or resold. Any items handmade by you from this pattern may be sold, but please credit me (cbfiberworks) as the designer.

Free Crochet Pattern: Spooky Ghost Garland

If you want the ad-free, printable pdf with process photos and bonus tips, it’s available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

Project Materials

• Yarn: Mainstays 100% Cotton (2 skeins)
  • Color A: White (200 yds)
    • Each ghost: 22yds
  • Color B: Black (15 yds)
• D/3-3.25mm hook
• Stitch markers
• Poly-fill
• Yarn/Darning Needle
• Scissors
• Yarnology cabone rings (0.5in/1.3cm) (optional)
• Tulip GLOW in the Dark dimensional fabric paint

Stitch Abbreviations

(**) – See Project Notes section

• MR – magic ring (**)
• Sc – single crochet (**)
• Sl st – slip stitch
• Inc – increase (**)
• Dec – decrease (**)
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Ch – chain
• Ch sp – chain space
• Dc – double crochet
• Shell – (**)
• ( ) – stitches enclosed are worked in the same stitch or space/numbers enclosed in ( ) at the end of the row indicate the total number of stitches.
• [ ] – stitches enclosed are repeated the given number of times

Project Notes

• Garland dimensions: 10 ft long, Ghost: 2-3in (h) x 3in (w).
• This project is written in US terminology.
• Each little ghost is created separately and attached to the garland.
• The head of each ghost is worked in continuous rounds without using a slip stitch to join rows.
• Rows 11-13 are worked in the round using slip stitches to join.
• Move stitch markers up every row as you go.
• Ch 3 counts as a dc in Rows 11-13.
• Magic Ring: Create a magic ring and work the specified number of single crochet into it (ex. MR6 = 6sc into the ring).
• Single Crochet: Unless otherwise specified, this project uses the yarn under technique. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn under, pull up a loop (2 loops on your hook), yarn over, and pull through both loops.
• Increase: work 2sc into the same stitch.
• Decrease: Unless otherwise specified, use the invisible decrease method. Insert your hook into the front loop of the next stitch, then insert your hook into the front loop of the following stitch, yarn over and pull through the first loop (3 loops on the hook), then yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
• Shell: For this pattern a shell is (3dc, ch2, 3dc) all worked into the same ch sp.

If you want to get the printable pdf version of this pattern, which has 25+ photos and customization options, you can find it in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

Ghosts (x9)

Quick Note: My garland had to span a 9 foot space, so I made 9 ghosts. If you have a smaller or larger space where your garland will hang, make as many or as few ghosts as you need.

Ghost Head

Using Color A.

Row 0: MR6 Place your stitch marker in the first st.

Row 1: inc 6 times. (12)

Row 2: [inc, sc] 6 times. (18)

Row 3: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times. (24)

Row 4-7: sc in each st around. (24)

Row 8: [sc, dec, sc] 6 times. (18)

Pause here.

1. With a tapestry needle, thread the tail from the MR up through the center of the MR.
2. Slip the cabone ring onto the yarn, then thread the tail back down through the center of the MR.
3. Tie off securely.

Start stuffing.

Row 9: [dec, sc] 6 times. (12)

Row 10: dec 6 times. (6)

Ghost Body

Row 11: (sl st, ch 3, 2dc) in the first st, ch 2, [3dc into the next st, ch 2] 5 times, sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (30)

For Rows 12 & 13: 

– excluding the sl sts, all shells and dc will be worked either in the ch 2 sp or in the sp between shells of the previous row.

– as you slip stitch across to the ch 2 sp to begin the row, the first 2 sl sts are worked into the double crochets while the last sl st is worked into the ch 2 sp.

Row 12: sl st 3 times to reach the next ch 2 sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch 2 sp, shell in each ch 2 sp around, sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join. (48)

Row 13: sl st 3 times to reach the next ch 2 sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch 2 sp, [3dc in the next sp, shell in the next ch 2 sp] 5 times, 3dc in the last sp, sl st to the top of the ch 3 to join. (66)

Fasten off and weave the tail into the shell sts.

Garland

Note: Be sure to measure the area where your garland will hang before moving on to this section of the pattern. The following instructions are for the number of chains I needed to span a 9 foot space with 10-11 inches between each ghost. Adjust your chain length accordingly depending on where you’re hanging your garland.

Using Color B.

Make a slip knot with a long tail. Ch 55

Attach your first ghost with a sc. Ch 50

Attach the second ghost with a sc. Ch 50

Continue this process until you’ve attached all the ghosts, then ch 55. 

Fasten off with a long tail. With the tail on each end, tie a loop for hanging or attach another cabone ring.

Glow-in-the-Dark Eyes

Lay your ghosts out on a table.

With your glow in the dark fabric paint, make two eyes on each ghost, generally between rows 5-6.

Have fun with this part! I made some eyes bigger or a little misshapen.

Let your ghosts dry for at least a few hours or however long your paint recommends.

Tester Photos

I had a truly wonderful group of testers for this pattern and their creativity blew me away! Check out the photos below to see various colors, sizes, eyes, and glowing embellishments.

Wrap Up

I may have said it before, but I’ll say it again, one of my favorite things about this pattern is how easy it is to customize. These ghosts can be individual decorations as well as a spooky garland, or you can even add them to a Halloween wreath.

How will you customize your spooky ghosts?

If you liked this free pattern, be sure to pin it for later and share it with your friends! And if you want to share your Spooky Ghost Garland on social media, tag me (@cbfiberworks) and I’ll give you a shout out.

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