Please note: This pattern is a free download for the advent calendar background only. To complete this project as shown, you will also need the paid pattern for my “Small & Simple Nativity Set” for the majority of the figures and animals.

This pattern is 11 pages long. It is written in English, using American crochet terms.

To make the calendar background & additional items included in this pattern, you will need:

Yarn of your choice. I used Patons Smoothie DK Yarn (this is quite a thick DK yarn so it is equivalent to aran or light worsted weight in other brands). Using this weight yarn, my completed advent calendar measures 50cm wide x 68cm long.
Whichever yarn you choose to use, please ensure to use the same weight yarn throughout your project (for both the background and all of the nativity figures and animals).

I used the following colours:

• Background – Cream, dark green, brown, dark grey, & dark blue.

• Purple, yellow, pink & light green for the pockets (feel free to change these for colours of your choice).

• Palm Trees – Beige & green.

• Gifts – Gold, light green & purple, with a small amount of yellow to embroider the bows on top.

• Straw for the manger (this is optional) – Beige

In addition, you will also need:

• A suitable size hook for the yarn you have chosen – I used a 4mm hook.

• Some toy stuffing.

• Numbers to add to each of the pockets (& thread to do so) – I attached wooden numbers (from Hobbycraft) to each pocket with invisible nylon thread, but these can be embroidered if preferred.

• Clear press studs / snap fasteners. I used 7mm press studs.

• Stars for the night sky – this is optional but I sewed on some sparkly plastic stars.

• A dowel & length of string for hanging your calendar. I used 1/4 inch hardwood dowel.

• Other tools you will need are a tapestry needle, some scissors, some pins and a stitch marker.

You are welcome to sell the items that you make using this pattern, but please do not sell / share the pattern itself. Thank you.