Crochet Layered Granny-Tree Appliqué (Ornament) — PDF-style Pattern

Inspired by the tree motif you shared, this is a small, textured layered appliqué made from three triangular "granny" fans stacked to form a stylised tree. Worked in worsted/DK weight yarn (small scrap amounts) with simple assembly; written in US crochet terms. Includes hook/needle conversions and metric/imperial yarn amounts.

Finished size

Approximately 3.5” (9 cm) high by 2” (5 cm) wide for the sizes given. Size will vary with tension and yarn/hook choice; instructions include how to scale up or down.

Materials

• Main yarn: Worsted / Aran (US 4) recommended. Imperial: top-tree small amount — Tree color A: ~25 yards (0.25 oz). Middle: ~35 yards (0.3 oz). Bottom: ~50 yards (0.4 oz). Trunk: ~10 yards (0.1 oz). Metric: Tree A ~23 m (7 g), Middle ~32 m (9 g), Bottom ~46 m (12 g), Trunk ~9 m (3 g). These are estimates; this project uses scraps.
• Hook (see conversions below): main hook 4.0 mm (US G/6) or 5.0 mm (US H/8) depending on how dense you want the fabric.
• Tapestry needle, scissors, small amount of stuffing or a scrap of felt if you want a padded trunk, optional sequin/bead for star or decoration, stitch marker (optional).

Hook & needle sizes (conversions)

All conversions are approximate; pick what gives you the preferred look.

• Crochet hooks (recommended): US G/6 = 4.0 mm = Metric 4.0 mm = UK 8 (old). US H/8 = 5.0 mm = Metric 5.0 mm = UK 6 (old).
• Knitting needles (optional knit-adapt): US 6 = 4.0 mm = Metric 4.0 mm = UK 8 (old). US 8 = 5.0 mm = Metric 5.0 mm = UK 6 (old).

Gauge (for reference)

With 4.0 mm hook and worsted weight yarn: 10 dc x 6 rows = about 2” (5 cm). Gauge not critical for appliqué, but useful if you want exact sizing.

Abbreviations (US crochet terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sp = space
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round

Notes

• This design uses classic triangular granny rounds. Each triangle is made by working clusters of 3 dc (3-dc cluster) into corner spaces and placing 3-dc groups into the ch-1 spaces along sides. The corner always gets (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
• Make three triangles of different sizes, block lightly if desired, then stack and sew for the layered tree look. You can change rounds to scale sizes up or down.

Stitch guide — 3-dc cluster

Working into a chosen space: (dc, dc, dc) all worked into the same space; counts as a 3-dc cluster in this pattern.

Triangle (granny) pattern — basic routine

Make 3 triangles: Top (small), Middle (medium), Bottom (large). The smaller has fewer rounds; the larger has more. The pattern below tells how many rounds to make for each piece. Use the same color or different greens for a layered look.

Make a foundation ring

Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a small ring.

Round 1 (triangle start)

Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 2 dc into ring; ch 2 (corner), work 3 dc in ring; ch 2 (corner), work 3 dc in ring; ch 2 (corner), join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. You now have 3 corner clusters and 3 ch-2 corners = tiny triangle.

Round 2 (and subsequent rounds)— how to grow the triangle

Slip stitch into the nearest corner ch-2 space. In each corner ch-2 space work: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Along each side: into each ch-1 space from the previous round work: (3 dc, ch 1) until you reach the next corner. When you arrive at the next corner ch-2 space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Continue around and join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

How many rounds?

• Top (small): work Rnd 1 + Rnd 2 only (total 2 rounds).
• Middle (medium): Rnd 1 + Rnds 2 and 3 + Rnd 4 (total 4 rounds).
• Bottom (large): Rnd 1 + Rnds 2,3,4,5 + Rnd 6 (total 6 rounds).

These are suggested counts. To scale: add or subtract full rounds. Each extra round widens the base by roughly one shell layer.

Trunk (small rectangle)

With trunk color, using 4.0 mm hook:

• Ch 6.
• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (5 sc). Ch 1, turn.
• Rows 2-4 (or as needed): sc across in each row. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. You should have a small rectangle about 0.5” (1.2 cm) wide by about 0.4” (1 cm) tall; add rows to make a taller trunk if desired.

Optional star topper (tiny)

Using gold yarn and 3.5–4.0 mm hook: make a magic ring, ch 1, 5 sc into ring, pull ring tight, sl st to first sc. Fasten off leaving tail to sew on top. Or crochet a small 5-pointed star: ch 5, sl st to first ch to form ring, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sl st) repeat 5 times to form 5 petals; fasten off and sew center to tree top.

Assembly

1. Block each triangle lightly to flatten and open the shells if you want a neater edge.
2. Lay triangles with points up. Stack the medium under the small so the small point sits centered on top of the medium, and the large centered under the medium. Overlap each tier by about 25–50% so the tree silhouette reads clearly. Use the tapestry needle and matched yarn to whipstitch through the backs of the tiers so stitches are hidden. Sew at 3 or 4 points across the overlap so pieces are secure.
3. Sew the trunk centered at the bottom of the large tier, catching a few stitches through the tree body to anchor it firmly. If you prefer a padded trunk, insert a scrap of felt or a small bit of stuffing before finishing the stitching.
4. Add star topper and optional bead/seed bead decorations on tiers by sewing them on with the tapestry needle.
5. Weave in all ends.

Hanging option

To make an ornament loop: with main color, ch 12, sl st to top centre point of tree (through both layers if you want a secure hanger) and fasten off. Alternatively, attach small ribbon loop.

Variations & scaling

• Change yarn weight and hook to scale: thicker yarn + larger hook = bigger tree. Add more rounds to the bottom triangle for a taller tree.
• Make monochrome, ombré (three green shades), or striped triangles before assembly.
• Knit version: for a knit triangular appliqué use garter increases (Knit 3 cast-on, increase 2 sts each RS row using M1 at both edges) to create three triangles and follow same assembly logic. Needles (optional knit): US 6 (4.0 mm) or US 8 (5.0 mm) based on yarn.

Finishing tips

• Use a small amount of starch or spray-block lightly if your yarn is floppy and you want crisp tiers.
• For a rustic look, leave edges unblocked and lightly fray with a comb.

Abbreviated pattern summary

Make 3 granny triangles (Rnds: small 2, medium 4, large 6). Make trunk rectangle (ch6, 4 rows sc). Assemble stacked with 25–50% overlap, sew trunk, add topper and hanger.

Support & attribution

Pattern by PurlJam pattern lab. For help: visit https://purljam.verde.uk or email team@verde.uk. Share your makes with #purljam on socials.

Copyright: personal & small-scale gifts okay; do not sell copies of this pattern. If you sell finished items, credit "PurlJam layered granny tree pattern" and link to https://purljam.verde.uk.

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