Crochet Ghost: Free 4-Inch Halloween Pattern

A crochet ghost is the friendliest kind of Halloween decor. It is spooky enough for the season but sweet enough to sit on a shelf all October without scaring anyone.

Below I am sharing everything about making one: the round head that gives it that classic ghost shape, the soft stuffed body, and the scalloped edge that makes it look like it is floating. At the end, you can grab my free crochet ghost pattern to make your own.

Why a Crochet Ghost Is the Sweetest Halloween Decor

Ghosts are the classic Halloween shape, and in yarn they turn out cute instead of scary. A little white ghost with a simple embroidered face fits every decorating style, from spooky mantels to cute tiered trays.

They are also wonderfully fast. With worsted yarn and a 4.0 mm hook, a mini ghost works up in about an hour. This mini ghost pattern from Heather Corinne uses the same top-down construction that makes these so quick to finish.

The Anatomy of a Mini Ghost

A mini ghost has three parts: a round head, a soft body, and a scalloped bottom edge. Each one is simple on its own.

The Round Head

The ghost starts with a magic ring and grows through even increase rounds into a smooth dome. The classic increase math keeps the head nicely rounded instead of pointy. This is where the face goes, so keep your stitches even here for the cutest result.

The Soft Body

After the head, the body works straight for several rounds, then decreases gently toward the bottom. Stuff it firmly as you go so it holds its shape and sits upright. The ghost applique pattern from AllFreeCrochet shows how the same friendly face works at any size.

The Scalloped Edge

The wavy bottom edge is what makes a ghost look like a ghost. It is worked in the front loops of the last body round: skip a stitch, work five half double crochets into the next, skip a stitch, slip stitch into the next, and repeat. If you have browsed our halloween crochet ideas collection, you already know how one textured edge can define a whole piece.

Yarn, Hook, and Size

White worsted weight (#4) yarn is the classic choice for a crochet ghost. A smooth acrylic shows the stitches crisply, which matters because the whole design is one clean shape. Keep a little black yarn on hand for the embroidered face.

My pattern finishes about 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 3 inches (8 cm) wide, a true mini decor size. It uses roughly 40 yards of white worsted yarn. Want a whole haunted family? Work the same pattern in a bulkier yarn for bigger ghosts.

Displaying Your Ghost

One ghost is cute, but a group of three with different faces is a whole Halloween scene. Line them along the mantel, tuck them into a wreath like our crochet wreath pattern, or hang them from a branch with thread for a floating effect.

For a styled look, pair white ghosts with mini pumpkins in orange and cream. The color contrast makes both look better, and the whole display reads instantly as Halloween without a single plastic decoration.

Get the Free Crochet Ghost Pattern

Looking for a crochet ghost pattern free to download? I wrote the complete Crochet Ghost pattern as a printable PDF: the round 4-inch body, the scalloped floating edge, and the sweet embroidered face. It is free for our newsletter subscribers, so use the signup box at the top of this article to get your copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the finished crochet ghost?
About 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 3 inches (8 cm) wide, including the scalloped edge, when worked in worsted yarn with a 4.0 mm hook.

What yarn is best for a crochet ghost?
White worsted weight (#4) acrylic. A smooth yarn shows the clean ghost shape crisply, and white is the classic ghost color.

What hook size do I need?
A US G (4.0 mm) hook, one size smaller than the yarn label suggests, so the stitches stay tight and the stuffing stays hidden.

How much yarn does one ghost use?
Roughly 40 yards of white worsted yarn, plus a small amount of black for the embroidered face.

How do you make the wavy bottom edge?
Work in the front loops of the last body round: skip one stitch, work five half double crochets in the next, skip one, slip stitch in the next, and repeat all the way around for six soft scallops.

Can a beginner crochet a ghost?
Absolutely. It is all single crochet in rounds with simple increases, decreases, and one easy scallop round. Rated easy.