Easy Crochet Ghost Pattern: Free Pattern & Video!

If you’re looking for the perfect spooky season project, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. This easy crochet ghost pattern is beginner-friendly, works up in about an hour, and makes the most adorable little Halloween decoration you’ll ever put on your mantle. Whether you’re new to crochet or just looking for a quick and satisfying project between bigger makes, these little ghosts are about to become your new obsession.

Keep reading for the full free pattern, tips for getting the best results, yarn recommendations, and a video tutorial to walk you through every step.

Why You’ll Love This Crochet Ghost Pattern

Halloween crochet is some of the most fun you can have with a hook and yarn, and ghosts are at the top of the list for good reason. They’re forgiving in shape, which makes them ideal for beginners. A ghost doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical to look adorable — in fact, a little wobble adds to the charm. These little guys also make fantastic gifts, party decorations, trick-or-treat bowl stuffers, and even ornaments if you add a hanging loop.

Here’s what makes this specific pattern worth bookmarking:

It uses basic stitches. If you know how to single crochet and slip stitch, you already have everything you need. There are no tricky increases or advanced techniques involved in the main body.

It’s fast. Most crafters finish a single ghost in 45 minutes to an hour, making it the kind of project you can knock out while watching a Halloween movie marathon.

It’s cheap. You only need small amounts of white and black yarn, so this is a great stash-buster project. One skein of white yarn can easily make five or six ghosts.

It’s customizable. Once you’ve made a few using the basic pattern, you can play with sizing, add accessories, change expressions, or use different colors for a twist on the traditional ghost look.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you start, gather everything you need so you can work through the pattern without interruption.

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in white (main color) and black (for the face). You can also use safety eyes if you prefer that look. Any brand works well here — Lion Brand Pound of Love, Red Heart Super Saver, Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn, or Caron Simply Soft are all great choices. For a softer ghost, try a yarn with some acrylic blend that has a slight sheen.

Hook: 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook. If your gauge tends to run tight, go up to a 5.5mm. If it runs loose, drop down to a 4.5mm.

Stuffing: Polyfill stuffing, or repurpose clean plastic bags, fabric scraps, or old yarn for an eco-friendly option.

Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and sewing on any embellishments.

Scissors: A good sharp pair makes a cleaner cut on your yarn ends.

Optional: Safety eyes in 9mm or 12mm, stitch markers, embroidery floss for adding extra details to the face.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

MR — Magic ring (also called a magic circle or adjustable ring)

ch — Chain

sl st — Slip stitch

sc — Single crochet

inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)

dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops only of the next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook)

st(s) — Stitch(es)

BLO — Back loop only

FLO — Front loop only

MC — Main color (white)

CC — Contrast color (black)

( ) — Work all stitches in the same stitch

[ ] x — Repeat the instructions in brackets the number of times indicated

Gauge

Gauge is flexible for this project, but as a reference point: 4 stitches x 4 rows in single crochet with a 5.0mm hook and worsted weight yarn should measure approximately 1 inch by 1 inch. The finished ghost will be approximately 4 to 5 inches tall and 3 inches wide. If you want a bigger ghost, simply go up in hook size or use bulky yarn.

Free Easy Crochet Ghost Pattern

The Body

Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull tight to close. (6 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 3: [sc 1, inc] repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 4: [sc 2, inc] repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 5: [sc 3, inc] repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 6: sc in each stitch around. (30 sts)

Round 7: sc in each stitch around. (30 sts)

Round 8: sc in each stitch around. (30 sts)

Round 9: sc in each stitch around. (30 sts)

Round 10: sc in each stitch around. (30 sts)

Round 11: [sc 3, dec] repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 12: [sc 2, dec] repeat around. (18 sts)

At this point, if you are using safety eyes, insert them now between rounds 9 and 10, approximately 6 to 8 stitches apart. This is easier to do before the opening gets too small.

Round 13: [sc 1, dec] repeat around. (12 sts)

Begin stuffing the body firmly at this stage. You want the ghost to hold its round shape at the top, so don’t be shy with the stuffing.

Round 14: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Use your yarn needle to weave through the remaining 6 front loops and pull tight to close. Weave in the end securely.

The Wavy Bottom Edge (Ghost Tail)

This is where the ghost gets its iconic shape. You’re going to work along the bottom opening of the ghost’s body using slip stitches and chains to create the wavy, flowing bottom.

Join your white yarn to any stitch at the bottom of the ghost (this is the open starting edge, not the closed top). You may need to lightly stuff the bottom before doing this step so the ghost holds its shape.

Setup: Join yarn with a sl st.

Work the following sequence around the entire bottom edge, repeating as needed to fill the circumference:

For a more dramatic wavy edge with three distinct points (which gives the classic floating ghost silhouette), try this variation:

Join yarn at the bottom opening. Work [sc, ch 5, sc] in the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, [sc, ch 5, sc] in the next stitch, and repeat around. This creates larger swooping arcs that look beautifully ghostly.

You can choose whichever wavy bottom you prefer based on the look you’re going for. The first method gives a subtle ruffle; the second gives a more dramatic flowing skirt.

The Face

If you’re using safety eyes, they should already be inserted from the earlier step. If you’re embroidering the face with black yarn or embroidery floss, now is the time.

Eyes: Thread your yarn needle with black yarn. Bring the needle up from the bottom of the ghost, position it at one of your eye spots, and create a small oval or round shape using 3 to 5 satin stitches. Repeat for the second eye. Try to make both eyes roughly the same size.

Mouth: For a classic ghost mouth, bring your needle up below and between the eyes and work a simple curved running stitch in a shallow U shape. You can also embroider a small open O shape or even a little gasp expression with a circle of stitches.

Optional “spooked” expression: Work 2 small diagonal dashes above each eye to create little eyebrows furrowed in fright. This tiny detail makes a huge difference in the personality of your ghost.

Video Tutorial

Learning from a written pattern is incredibly helpful, but sometimes you just need to see the stitches happening in real time — especially when it comes to the magic ring, working in the round, and the invisible decrease. A video tutorial walks you through every round step by step, including how to shape the wavy bottom and embroider a cute face.

Search for this pattern on YouTube using the title “Easy Crochet Ghost Pattern Free Tutorial” and you’ll find video walkthroughs from a variety of crochet creators. Some great channels to look for include Bag-O-Day Crochet, Crochet Guru, and The Crochet Crowd, all of which regularly post beginner-friendly Halloween amigurumi patterns. Watching even just the first few rounds of a video while referencing the written pattern above can make the whole process click much faster.

Tips for the Best Results

Don’t skip the magic ring. It creates a tight, clean starting point with no hole in the center, which matters a lot for the rounded top of a ghost. If you’re not comfortable with it yet, watch a quick tutorial specifically on magic rings — it takes about five minutes to learn and will change your crochet game.

Work in a continuous spiral. This pattern is worked in continuous rounds rather than joined rounds. Use a stitch marker (or a piece of scrap yarn) to mark the first stitch of each round so you can keep track of where you are.

Stuff firmly but not overstuffed. You want the ghost to feel plump and hold its shape, but if you overstuff it, the stitches will stretch apart and show the stuffing through the gaps. Aim for a firm squeeze without visible strain on the stitches.

Keep your tension even. This is the biggest factor in how clean your finished ghost looks. If you notice your tension tightening up as you go, pause and consciously relax your grip on the yarn.

Weave in ends carefully. Because white yarn shows everything, weave your ends in multiple directions through the inside of the ghost so they don’t pop through to the outside.

Use a tapestry needle for embroidery. A yarn needle works fine, but a tapestry needle with a blunt tip gives you more control when doing the small face embroidery on white yarn.

Ways to Customize Your Crochet Ghost

One of the best things about a simple base pattern like this is how much room it leaves for creativity. Here are some ideas to make each ghost a little different.

Add a witch hat. Crochet a tiny black cone hat and stitch it to the top of the ghost’s head for a witchy ghost variation. You can even add a tiny brim using a few rounds of half double crochets.

Make a whole ghost family. Use bulky yarn and a larger hook for a big mama ghost, worsted weight for medium ghosts, and fingering weight yarn for tiny baby ghosts. The pattern scales beautifully.

Try different expressions. Experiment with sleepy eyes, heart eyes for a love-struck ghost, or surprised wide eyes. You can even give your ghost a little tongue sticking out for extra personality.

Add a bow or flower. A simple crocheted or ribbon bow stitched to the side of the ghost’s head is an easy way to make it look feminine or festive.

Change the color. Who says ghosts have to be white? Lavender, pale blue, mint green, and even pale yellow ghosts are adorable and unexpected. A glow-in-the-dark yarn would be absolutely perfect for this project if you can find it.

Make a garland. Crochet five to seven ghosts and string them together with a length of white or orange twine for a whimsical Halloween garland. This makes a stunning mantle decoration and an impressive handmade gift.

Add a hanger loop. Chain 15 at the beginning before joining to work in the round, then at the end, attach the chain ends together at the top of the ghost’s head to create a loop for hanging as an ornament or on a garland.

Yarn Recommendations for This Pattern

Since the ghost is primarily white, yarn choice matters more than you’d think. Here are a few picks that work especially well.

Lion Brand Pound of Love in White is soft, affordable, and comes in a giant skein — perfect if you’re planning to make a lot of ghosts. It’s machine washable, which is a bonus if these are going to be handled by kids.

Paintbox Simply DK in Pure White has a lovely crisp brightness that photographs beautifully and gives a really clean finished look. It’s slightly thinner than worsted, so go up half a hook size.

Red Heart Super Saver in White is the classic budget choice. It’s a little stiffer than some yarns but very durable and holds its shape well, which works nicely for a stuffed amigurumi.

Caron Simply Soft in White has a beautiful sheen and drape that makes the ghost look almost ethereal. It gives the wavy bottom edge a really elegant movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a complete beginner make this ghost?

Absolutely. If you can chain, single crochet, and work in the round, you have all the skills you need. The pattern uses only basic increases and decreases, and the shape is forgiving enough that minor inconsistencies will still look great in the finished project.

How much yarn do I need?

One standard 7-ounce skein of worsted weight white yarn is more than enough for several ghosts — expect to get five to eight ghosts from a single skein depending on your gauge and how much stuffing you use.

Can I sell items made from this pattern?

This is a free pattern for personal use and small-scale handmade sales. If you sell items made from this pattern, a credit or link back to the original source is always appreciated by pattern designers.

What if I don’t know how to do a magic ring?

You can substitute a starting chain instead. Chain 2, then work 6 single crochets into the second chain from the hook. It won’t be quite as tight at the top, but it’s a perfectly valid alternative while you’re still learning.

How do I make the ghost sit upright instead of flopping over?

Stuff the bottom portion of the ghost a little more firmly than the top, and make sure your wavy bottom edge is worked somewhat loosely so it fans out to form a stable base. You can also cut a small circle of plastic canvas and insert it in the very bottom of the ghost before closing to give it a flat, firm base.

Final Thoughts

This easy crochet ghost pattern is one of those projects that’s just pure joy from start to finish. It’s quick enough to feel satisfying, simple enough to be relaxing, and cute enough that everyone who sees it will want one of their own. Whether you make one to sit on a windowsill, a whole batch to gift to friends, or a long garland to drape across your Halloween display, these little ghosts are guaranteed to add some handmade charm to your spooky season.

If you make one, share your finished ghost in a crochet Facebook group or tag your project on Ravelry — seeing how other makers interpret a pattern is one of the best parts of the crochet community. And if you have questions while working through the pattern, drop them in the comments below. Happy hooking, and have a wonderfully spooky Halloween!