This friendly crochet ghost is a quick Halloween make with a soft round head and a wavy lower edge. It looks sweet on a garland, treat bag, or seasonal shelf.
The shape is worked in simple rounds, then finished with small face details. Even tension keeps the white fabric neat and the stuffing hidden.
You can also explore Halloween Crochet.
Project at a Glance
| Skill level | Beginner-friendly |
|---|---|
| Crochet terms | US terms |
| Construction | step-by-step crochet construction |
| Yarn and hook | Use the weight and hook stated in the pattern directions |
| Main stitch | See the project instructions below |
| Gauge and finished size | Use the stated measurement checks before finishing |
| Finishing | Secure ends, reinforce seams, and add optional lining or reinforcement where useful |
Materials and Gauge
For a useful materials reference, visit Halloween Crochet Patterns: Spooky and Cute Projects.
Gather all yarn, hook, needle, scissors, and optional finishing supplies before you begin. Make a small gauge sample when the project needs a precise fit or a firm fabric. Measure after the sample has relaxed, then adjust hook size before committing to the full project.
Abbreviations and Notes
Ch = chain; sl st = slip stitch; sc = single crochet; hdc = half double crochet; dc = double crochet; inc = two stitches in one stitch; dec or sc2tog = decrease; st/sts = stitch/stitches. Unless a direction says otherwise, the turning chain does not count as a stitch. Keep a marker in the first stitch of each spiral round and write down completed rows.
Crochet the Main Project
Before continuing, you may also like Crochet by Season home.
This crochet ghost pattern creates a small, friendly Halloween amigurumi with a round head, a lightly stuffed body, and a wavy skirt. It is worked in continuous spiral rounds, which means you do not join the end of each round with a slip stitch. Instead, you keep working around and move a stitch marker up at the beginning of each round. That simple approach gives the ghost a smooth shape and is an excellent way to practice beginner amigurumi skills.
Finished size, yarn, and supplies
With DK-weight white yarn and a 3.5 mm hook, the ghost measures about 4 inches tall. Gauge is not critical, but a firm fabric is important so stuffing does not show through. You will need white DK yarn, a 3.5 mm hook, a little polyester fiberfill, a yarn needle, a stitch marker, scissors, and black embroidery yarn or safety eyes. If you use a heavier yarn and larger hook, the ghost will be larger and softer; use a smaller hook for a tighter finish.
How to read the rounds
A round is one complete trip around the circular work. Each V-shaped loop at the top of the fabric is one stitch. The loop on your hook never counts as a stitch. Mark the first stitch of every round and move the marker upward as you work. An increase means working two single crochet stitches into the same stitch. A decrease, written as sc2tog, turns two stitches into one and makes the body narrower.
Crochet abbreviations
- MR = magic ring
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase, or 2 sc in one stitch
- dec = invisible single crochet decrease
- st(s) = stitch or stitches
- dc = double crochet
- ch = chain
- FO = fasten off
To make a magic ring, wrap yarn around two fingers, insert the hook under the loop, pull up yarn, and chain once. Work the stated stitches into the ring, then pull the tail tightly. If that feels difficult, ch 2 and work the first-round stitches into the second chain from the hook instead.
Ghost pattern instructions
Round 1: Work 6 sc into a MR. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Work 1 sc, inc in the next st; repeat this sequence 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 4: Work 2 sc, inc in the next st; repeat this sequence 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 5: Work 3 sc, inc in the next st; repeat this sequence 6 times. (30 sts)
Rounds 6–11: Sc in each st around. Repeat the same instruction for 6 rounds. (30 sts in each round)
Eye placement: If using safety eyes, place them between Rounds 8 and 9, about 6 stitches apart. Attach the backs before the opening becomes smaller. For embroidered eyes, wait until the ghost is finished.
Round 12: Work 3 sc, dec; repeat this sequence 6 times. (24 sts)
Round 13: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)
Stuff the head and upper body now. Use a little fiberfill at a time and keep the shape rounded. Do not overstuff; the skirt needs room to flare.
Round 14: Work 2 sc, dec; repeat this sequence 6 times. (18 sts)
Round 15: Sc in each st around. (18 sts)
Round 16: Work 1 sc in the next st, then 2 dc in the next st; repeat the sequence 9 times. (27 sts, counting every dc as one stitch)
Round 17: Sl st loosely in each st around to soften the wavy edge. FO and weave in the end.
Assembly and face details
If you did not use safety eyes, embroider two small vertical eyes between Rounds 8 and 9. Keep them six stitches apart and center them over the opening side of the ghost. For a tiny mouth, stitch a short oval one round below the eyes. Use a single strand of black yarn so the face stays delicate.
Tips, variations, and common mistakes
To make a hanging ghost, add a chain loop at the top of the head before weaving in the yarn end. To make a keychain, use sturdy cotton yarn and attach a key-ring jump ring through the top center. You can also make a group in different sizes by adding or removing an even round after Round 5, then adjusting the later decrease rounds to match.
If the ghost leans, redistribute the stuffing and flatten the wavy edge with your fingers. If stitches have visible gaps, move down one hook size. If your stitch count is wrong, stop at the end of the round, locate the first marked stitch, and recount before continuing. The most common error is missing an increase in the early rounds, so use a written tally if that helps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this ghost without safety eyes?
Yes. Embroidered eyes are a good option for a decorative project and avoid small plastic parts.
Will the skirt close the bottom?
The body is shaped and stuffed before the flared skirt, so the wave round acts as a decorative lower edge rather than an open pouch.
When you are ready for another spooky make, visit the Halloween crochet pattern collection. This little ghost is quick enough to make several for a party table or a Halloween garland.
Make the ghost part of a display
This ghost looks especially effective when it has a little height around it. Set one on a stack of books, a small tray, or a narrow shelf with a battery candle nearby. For a garland, make several ghosts in the same yarn and thread a length of yarn through the top of each head. Leave about 4 inches between ghosts so the individual wavy skirts can be seen. If you make a pair for a windowsill, turn one face slightly by placing its eyes one stitch off center; that tiny change gives the group character without changing the pattern.
Customize Your Project
For another seasonal idea, explore crochet FAQs.
Change colors, edging, or small details only after you have completed one version at the stated gauge. If you substitute yarn, make a new sample because a thicker fiber can change the finished dimensions, drape, and amount of yarn needed. For bags and items that carry weight, add a lining or reinforcement before regular use.
Troubleshooting
The shape or edge is uneven
Stop and recount the previous round or row. Most uneven edges come from a missed increase, an added turning-chain stitch, or inconsistent tension. Correct the last clearly wrong section rather than trying to hide it later.
The finished piece does not match the measurement
Compare your gauge sample with the stated check. A smaller hook makes a firmer, smaller fabric; a larger hook makes a looser, larger one. Keep the stitch counts unchanged unless the pattern specifically gives resizing instructions.
A seam or attachment feels loose
Use matching yarn and short back-and-forth stitches through the crochet fabric. Reinforce high-stress points with a second pass, then weave the tail in securely.
Quick Project Plan
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare yarn, hook, tools, and a gauge sample. |
| 2 | Follow the directions, count regularly, and check measurements. |
| 3 | Finish, reinforce, weave in ends, and review the project. |
Check Before You Finish
Test any hanging loop, strap, seam, or closure with a gentle pull. Lay flat items on a table to confirm they do not curl; lightly stuff three-dimensional pieces to an even shape. Adjust length, placement, or reinforcement before trimming the final yarn tail.
More Crochet Projects and Guides
- Halloween crochet pattern collection
Final Thoughts
Small finishing details give this handmade project a polished, gift-ready look. Whether you keep the finished crochet ghost pattern for your own home or make it as a gift, take a moment to check the size, seams, and woven-in ends before calling it complete. For more Halloween Crochet inspiration and fresh project ideas, follow Crochet by Season on Pinterest and Facebook.
