Free Crochet Angel Patterns: Ornaments, Appliqués and Wings

By Jan Bay

This group of free crochet angel patterns includes three original designs for handmade Christmas ornaments, decorative appliqués and angel wings. Whether you're making a little angel for the Christmas tree, adding a special touch to a baby blanket or creating a keepsake gift for your own little angel, you can choose the project that fits your plans.

See Supplies for These Crochet Angel Projects Here.

Choose a Free Crochet Angel Pattern

Each of these angel patterns makes a different finished project. Choose the complete angel ornament for Christmas decorating, the flat angel appliqué for embellishing handmade gifts, or the angel wings for a delicate decorative keepsake.

Which Free Crochet Angel Patterns Should You Make?

All three angels have that pretty, traditional look, but they aren't interchangeable. One is a complete Christmas ornament, another is an appliqué meant to be attached to something, and the third is a pair of decorative wings. I'd decide what I wanted to do with the finished piece before choosing the pattern.

The Crochet Angel Ornament

If you're making something for the Christmas tree, I'd start with my free crochet angel ornament pattern. She has a softly shaped ivory gown, delicate lace wings, brown hair, a gold halo and little hands folded in prayer. The pattern is designed to finish approximately 4 to 4¾ inches tall, not counting the hanging cord.

There are actually two ways to finish this angel. You can make the traditional version just as she is, or crochet the tiny baby bootie included in the pattern and attach it beneath her hands. I especially like that second option for a baby's first Christmas ornament. It's a small detail, but it gives the gift a particular meaning.

This is an intermediate project with several separate pieces to crochet and assemble. The gown is worked in joined rounds, while the head, sleeves and smaller details have their own instructions. If you enjoy making little crochet characters, this is probably the angel you'll want.

The Crochet Angel Appliqué

My free crochet angel appliqué pattern is a different project. Instead of a standing or hanging ornament, you're making an angel to sew onto a finished blanket, Christmas stocking or keepsake backing.

She has a flowing lace gown with raised pleats, wide scalloped wings, softly rounded head, carefully arranged hair and a gold halo. Her hands meet in front just like the ornament, but the construction is designed to lie against another piece of fabric.

The intended finished height is approximately 7½ inches, including the halo. That makes her considerably larger than the Christmas ornament. The finished size is a design target, so check the measurements and gauge on the individual pattern before attaching her to another project.

This is the more involved lace project of the two complete angels. The separate pieces need shaping, blocking and careful assembly. I'd choose it when I wanted one decorative angel to be the focal point of a special handmade gift.

The Crochet Angel Wings

Sometimes you don't need another complete angel. A pretty pair of wings will do.

My free crochet angel wings pattern features two ivory wings with layered, feather-like crochet sections and gently shaped lower edges. They meet at the center to form one decorative pair.

You can finish these wings with a hanging loop for the Christmas tree, or leave the loop off and attach them to a stocking, blanket or gift bag. There's also a baby's first Christmas option with two tiny ivory crocheted booties hanging beneath the wings. Their shape is recognizable without adding a face, gown or halo.

I'd choose the wings if I wanted an angel-inspired gift without making a complete angel figure. The important part is keeping the two sides balanced so the finished pair hangs evenly.

Choosing Yarn and Supplies for Crochet Angels

You don't need a big collection of yarn to make these angels, but I wouldn't automatically use the same hook and yarn for all three projects. The little details matter, especially in the openwork wings and scalloped hems.

The complete angel ornament uses fingering-weight cotton with a suggested 2.25 mm hook. The appliqué also uses fingering-weight cotton, but its suggested hook is 2.5 mm. Those are different construction targets, so check the individual instructions before starting.

For either complete angel, smooth cotton is a sensible choice. It shows the individual stitches, keeps the little lace openings visible and makes it easier to see where the decorative edges need shaping.

I'd keep the gowns and wings ivory or soft white, with just a small amount of contrasting yarn for the hair and halos. The ornament uses brown hair, while the appliqué has a lighter, braided-looking hairstyle. Gold adds a little definition around the head without taking attention away from the crochet work.

The separate angel wings use size 3 cotton crochet thread and a 2.25 mm hook, with a 3 mm hook for the optional hanging loop. If you're adding the baby's first Christmas booties, those are made separately using DK or light worsted yarn and a 3.25 mm hook. Don't use one yarn and hook combination for every part. Follow the individual instructions so the finished pieces keep their intended proportions.

You'll also want the usual crochet supplies: a suitable hook, yarn needle, small scissors, stitch markers and a measuring tape. For the appliqué, have rustproof blocking pins and a blocking mat available. Its lace gown and wings need to be shaped before assembly.

If you're using yarn left from another project, check that you have enough of the same shade to complete both wings. A noticeable color difference between the two sides would be a shame after you've put all that work into the stitching.

One last detail worth keeping in mind is the yarn's care instructions. If you're giving an angel as a keepsake, especially one attached to a blanket, save the yarn label so you can pass along the washing information.

Finishing Crochet Angel Wings and Lace Details

The lacy edges are what give these angels so much of their character. I'd pay just as much attention to finishing them as I would to working the stitches.

Start by checking the finished shape before attaching anything permanently. The wings should spread outward without one sitting noticeably higher than the other. On the complete angels, the halo should sit centered above the head, and the gown should fall evenly beneath the hands.

For the appliqué, block the gown and wings separately as directed in the pattern. Shape the scallops while the pieces are damp, then allow them to dry completely before sewing everything together. Don't stretch the openwork so far that the decorative clusters lose their shape.

The separate angel wings deserve a little extra attention at the center where the two sides meet. Arrange them as a mirrored pair before fastening them together, and check that the lower feather-like sections point in matching directions.

If you're making a hanging ornament, check the hanging loop before calling it finished. It needs to be securely attached and positioned so the angel or wings don't tilt awkwardly to one side.

Skip the extra beads, dangling charms and little plastic decorations. These designs already have plenty of detail. You don't need to add more just because there's room.

For a gift, weave the yarn ends securely, inspect the seams and check that the attached pieces don't pull away when handled. Follow the care instructions for the particular yarn, especially if any part of the finished project has been stiffened or blocked.

Crochet Angel Ideas for Baby's First Christmas

A handmade angel is a lovely choice when you want to give something that isn't another toy or outfit. It can be a Christmas decoration, a keepsake for a memory box or a special little detail on a larger handmade present.

For a baby's first Christmas, I'd choose the angel ornament with the tiny crocheted bootie. That option is already included in the ornament pattern, so you won't need to change the shape of the angel herself.

If you'd rather make something without a face or gown, the separate angel wings are another choice. Their baby's first Christmas version has two matching ivory booties hanging beneath the center of the wings. Both projects make lovely keepsakes, but I'd choose the complete angel if I wanted something more traditional and the wings if I preferred a simpler silhouette.

You can make the bootie in pale blue, soft pink, ivory or another color that has meaning for the family. I wouldn't add a lot of extra trim. The tiny bootie beneath her praying hands is enough to tell the story.

If you're making a larger gift, consider placing the angel appliqué in one corner of a handmade baby blanket. The ivory design looks especially pretty against sage green, as shown in the finished example. A plain or lightly textured background gives the angel's wings and gown room to stand out.

You can choose a suitable blanket from my free crochet baby blanket patterns collection. Make the blanket first, then check the appliqué's finished size before deciding where to sew it.

I'd avoid positioning the angel where it will be folded repeatedly or handled roughly. A decorative corner or a display section makes more sense for an elaborate lace appliqué than the middle of a frequently used blanket.

For a keepsake that won't be attached to fabric, the separate crochet wings make another thoughtful choice. They can be stored with Christmas ornaments and brought out for holiday decorating.

A Note About Crochet Decorations and Babies

These angels are decorative keepsakes, not toys for an infant to handle or sleep with. Keep hanging ornaments, loops, cords and small decorative pieces completely out of a baby's reach.

If you're adding the appliqué to a baby blanket, sew every part securely and check the attachments regularly. The finished blanket is for supervised awake use or keepsake display, not loose bedding in a crib.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's safe sleep guidance explains why blankets, soft objects and other loose items should be kept out of an infant's sleep space.

You can still make something beautiful for a baby without expecting the baby to use it right away. A Christmas keepsake doesn't need to become a plaything.

Pairing Crochet Angels With Other Christmas Projects

If you're making Christmas gifts, you don't have to stop with an angel. A second small ornament or a matching handmade accessory can turn one little project into a thoughtful gift set.

I wouldn't make every piece equally elaborate, though. If the angel has a lacy gown, gold halo and detailed wings, I'd pair her with something simpler.

My crochet snowflake ornament pattern is a pretty companion for an ivory angel. The snowflake has its own delicate shape, but it doesn't compete with the angel's face, gown or wings.

Another choice is my free crochet wreath ornament pattern. Its traditional Christmas shape gives you a little more color if you want something besides ivory and gold on the tree.

For a larger selection of holiday projects, visit my free Christmas crochet patterns collection. You'll find ornaments, appliqués, Christmas characters and handmade baby gift ideas there.

I'd probably choose one angel and one coordinating ornament rather than putting together a whole assortment. Two carefully finished handmade pieces make a lovely gift without turning a small Christmas project into a major undertaking.

Ready to Choose Your Crochet Angel?

If you're still deciding, I'd narrow it down to the finished project you actually want. Make the complete angel ornament for the Christmas tree, the appliqué for a special blanket or keepsake, or the separate wings when you want something a little simpler in appearance.

Each design has its own free pattern with the materials and instructions for that particular project. You don't need to make all three, although I think they'd make a pretty collection together.

And if you're making one for baby's first Christmas, don't overlook that tiny bootie on the angel ornament. Sometimes it's the smallest part of a handmade gift that makes it worth keeping.