Crochet Squirrel Autumn Door Hanger Pattern

Materials

• Worsted #4 yarn in rust/orange 120-150 g
• Worsted #4 yarn in dark brown 100 g
• Worsted #4 yarn in beige/cream 60 g
• Worsted #4 yarn in mustard yellow 60 g
• Worsted #4 yarn in burnt orange 60 g
• Worsted #4 yarn in olive green 60 g
• Worsted #4 yarn in berry red 30 g
• 4.0 mm crochet hook 1
• 3.5 mm crochet hook for small details 1
• Polyester fiberfill small amount
• Yarn needle 1
• Scissors 1 pair
• Stitch markers 4
• Strong cord or crochet chain for hanging approximately 70 cm

Abbreviations

Finished Measurements

• Branch: approximately 38-42 cm / 15-16.5 in
• Squirrel: approximately 18-20 cm / 7-8 in tall
• Large leaves: approximately 9-11 cm / 3.5-4.25 in
• Acorns: approximately 7-9 cm / 2.75-3.5 in
• Overall hanging length: approximately 60-70 cm / 24-27.5 in

Textured Woodland Branch

Using dark brown yarn and the 4.0 mm hook:

Ch 62.

R1: Hdc in second ch from hook and across. Turn.

R2: Ch 1, hdc BLO across. Turn.

R3: Ch 1, sc across.

R4: Ch 1, alternate sc and hdc across to create an irregular bark texture.

FO leaving a long tail.

Roll the rectangle lengthwise into a narrow branch and stitch the long edges together.

Add a very small amount of stuffing if you want a thicker dimensional branch.

Branch Ends

Using dark brown yarn, work several short surface-crochet lines along the branch.

Embroider small irregular lines in a slightly lighter brown to imitate bark.

Shape the branch gently so it is not perfectly straight.

Squirrel Body

Using rust-orange yarn:

R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: *Sc, inc.* Repeat around. (18)

R4: *2 sc, inc.* Repeat around. (24)

R5-10: Sc around. (24)

R11: *2 sc, dec.* Repeat around. (18)

R12-15: Sc around. (18)

R16: *Sc, dec.* Repeat around. (12)

Stuff firmly but keep the body slightly pear-shaped.

FO leaving a long sewing tail.

Squirrel Head

Using rust-orange yarn:

R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: *Sc, inc.* Repeat around. (18)

R4: *2 sc, inc.* Repeat around. (24)

R5-8: Sc around.

R9: *2 sc, dec.* Repeat around. (18)

R10: *Sc, dec.* Repeat around. (12)

Stuff and FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the head slightly forward on the body to create the alert woodland-squirrel pose.

Squirrel Muzzle

Using cream yarn:

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: Sc around.

Lightly stuff.

FO and sew to the lower front of the head.

Embroider a tiny dark-brown nose at the center.

Squirrel Ears – Make 2

Using rust-orange yarn:

Ch 6.

Starting in second chain: sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc.

FO leaving a sewing tail.

Pinch the base before sewing each ear to create the pointed shape.

Squirrel Arms – Make 2

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2-8: Sc around.

Add only a tiny amount of stuffing to the upper section.

Flatten the open end and sew the arms toward the center of the body.

Large Curled Squirrel Tail

Using rust-orange yarn:

Ch 45.

R1: Beginning in second ch, work 2 hdc in each chain across.

The strip will begin curling naturally.

R2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in every second stitch and 1 hdc in the remaining stitches.

FO leaving a long tail.

Roll the upper section inward into a large spiral.

Use the yarn tail to tack several layers of the spiral together while leaving the lower tail curved.

Sew firmly to the back and side of the squirrel.

Mini Acorn for the Squirrel

Using beige yarn:

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3-5: Sc around.

R6: Dec around. (6)

Stuff lightly and FO.

Using dark brown yarn, work a small cap:

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: BLO sc around.

FO and sew over the beige acorn.

Position the acorn between the squirrel’s paws and stitch securely.

Oak Leaves

Make approximately 12-16 leaves using mustard, burnt orange and olive yarn.

Ch 16.

Beginning in second chain:

Sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st.

Work 3 sc into the last chain and continue along the opposite side.

Repeat the stitch sequence in reverse.

FO.

Creating the Oak Leaf Lobes

Join matching yarn near the base of the leaf.

Work around the outer edge using:

*Sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st*

Repeat several times along each side to create rounded oak-style lobes.

At the leaf tip, work ch 2, sl st in second ch before continuing down the opposite side.

FO.

Leaf Veins

Using matching or slightly darker yarn, surface crochet from the base to the tip.

Add short diagonal stitches toward each lobe.

Block the leaves lightly before assembly.

Autumn Berries – Make 18-24

Use rust, red, orange and mustard yarn.

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: Sc around.

R4: Dec around. (6)

Add a tiny amount of stuffing.

FO and close the opening.

Large Hanging Acorns – Make 4

Using beige yarn:

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: *Sc, inc.* around. (18)

R4-7: Sc around. (18)

R8: *Sc, dec.* around. (12)

R9: Dec around. (6)

Stuff before closing.

Acorn Caps – Make 4

Using dark brown yarn:

R1: MR, 6 sc.

R2: Inc around. (12)

R3: *Sc, inc.* around. (18)

R4: BLO sc around.

R5: Sc around.

FO and sew the cap over the wide end of the beige acorn.

Add a tiny chain loop or short brown stem at the top.

Hanging Strands – Make 5

Using brown, tan or coordinating yarn, make five chains in slightly different lengths:

• Strand 1: approximately 30 cm
• Strand 2: approximately 40 cm
• Strand 3: approximately 50 cm
• Strand 4: approximately 42 cm
• Strand 5: approximately 32 cm

FO each strand, leaving long tails for assembly.

Decorating the Hanging Strands

Arrange leaves and berries along each chain before sewing.

Alternate the autumn colors rather than placing identical colors directly beside one another.

Attach one large acorn to the bottom of selected strands.

Allow the center strand to hang the longest.

Some leaves should point downward while others sit at slight angles for a natural falling-leaf appearance.

Upper Branch Decoration

Place the squirrel slightly right of center on the branch.

Sew the body firmly to the branch at several hidden points.

Arrange 6-8 oak leaves around the squirrel using mustard, rust and olive colors.

Add small berry clusters between the leaves.

Allow a few leaves to overlap the branch.

Keep the squirrel clearly visible as the central feature.

Attaching the Hanging Strands

Position the five strands across the underside of the branch.

Space them unevenly but balance their visual weight.

Sew each strand through several branch stitches.

Reinforce each connection twice so the weight of the acorns does not stretch the attachment point.

Top Hanging Cord

Using tan or brown yarn:

Ch approximately 85-100, depending on the desired hanging height.

Sl st back through every chain for extra strength.

FO leaving long tails.

Sew one end firmly to each end of the branch.

Reinforce the attachment several times.

Final Assembly

1. Finish and shape the crochet branch.
2. Assemble the squirrel and curled tail.
3. Attach the small acorn between the squirrel’s paws.
4. Sew the squirrel securely onto the upper branch.
5. Arrange and attach the upper autumn leaves.
6. Add berry clusters around the branch.
7. Prepare five cascading hanging strands.
8. Sew leaves and berries along each strand.
9. Attach the large acorns to selected strand ends.
10. Sew all five strands beneath the branch.
11. Attach the strong upper hanging cord.
12. Weave in every loose yarn end.

Finishing

Lightly steam-block the oak leaves while keeping the squirrel, berries and acorns away from direct heat.

Shape each leaf with your fingers while it cools.

Curve the squirrel tail into a generous spiral.

Separate the hanging strands so they fall freely rather than overlapping completely.

Gently angle several leaves outward to create a more dimensional handmade appearance.