How to Crochet a Spooky Halloween Ghost
From candy corn to witch hats, get started on this perfect cozy ghost Halloween project!
Get ready to kick off the spooky season with a cute, cozy ghost pattern that's perfect for gifting to friends and family this Halloween! Whether you give your little ghost a witch hat, a pumpkin top, or any costume of your choice, this pattern lets even your ghost join the fun. I’ll be making a smaller keychain version using thinner yarn and a size 3mm hook, but you can use any yarn you have. Chunky yarn is best for plushies or thin for mini ghosts or keychains, this pattern works great either way.
Ever since I moved to the U.S. and discovered the magic of dressing up and going trick-or-treating, Halloween has been one of my favorite times of the year. It also happens to be my friend Sophia’s birthday, and she’s always been like a little sister to me. We usually go trick-or-treating with her and some of our other friends. After filling our bags to dangerous levels, we’d all pile onto the couches, surrounded by blankets and bowls of candy, trading sweets as if it were a business exchange while some halloween movie played in the background.
Maybe I’m getting a little too old for trick-or-treating (emphasis on maybe), but let’s be honest—no one’s ever too old for free candy. So, to keep the Halloween spirit alive, I decided to make something just as sweet and cozy: a tiny ghost keychain that’s ready to haunt the season in style.
Now, without further ado, here’s a fun beginner-to-intermediate level no-sew mini ghost crochet pattern that’s perfect for the Halloween season! This project is quick, simple, and extra fun because your little ghost can dress up, the pattern includes removable hats like a witch hat and a candy corn hat so your ghost can change outfits all spooky season long.
Before jumping in, here are a few notes:
This pattern uses American crochet terms and is worked in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise. Because I’m using thinner yarn and a smaller hook of 3.5 mm, my ghost will turn out keychain-sized, but you can use any yarn and hook combo you like. Chunkier yarn will make your ghost bigger and fluffier, which is perfect if you want a plushie version instead.
To make your own cozy ghost, you’ll need:
A crochet hook (I’m using a 3.5 mm for my smaller keychainish size version)
Yarn in your chosen colors (white for the ghost, and extra colors for any hats you want to make like black and orange for a witch hat or yellow and white for candy corn)
Stuffing
Stitch markers
Embroidery needle
Scissors
Safety eyes (I’ll be using around 8 mm eyes, but it depends on how your ghost turns out)
For abbreviations, here’s a quick guide for reference and videos if you need additional help:
MR – Magic Ring
CH – Chain
SC – Single Crochet
INC – Increase
DEC – Decrease
SLST – Slip Stitch
DC – Double Crochet
BO – 5 DC Bobble Stitch
1. Candy Corn Hat
(*For this hat i did not own any actual orange so i used a dark orange-ish red color)
~Start with white yarn for the candy corn hat.~
Round 1. MR 4 SC (4)
Round 2. INC X 4 (8)
Round 3. 8 SC (8)
~Switch to orange yarn~
Note: You can cut off the white yarn now and it may be useful to work over the yarn tails in the next round
so that they are hidden within the hat.
Round 4. (1 SC, INC) X 4 (12)
Round 5. (1 SC, INC) X 6 (18)
Round 6. 18 SC (18)
~Switch to yellow yarn.~
Note: You can cut off the orange yarn now and it may be useful to work over the yarn tails in the
next round so that they are hidden within the hat.
Round 7. (2 SC, INC) X 6 (24)
Round 8. 24 SC (24)
Round 9. (3 SC, INC) X 6 (30)
Round 10. Using front loops only: INC X 30 (60)
Finish off and weave in any ends. The edge of the hat should be naturally wavy.
2. Witch Hat
~Start with purple yarn for the witch hat.~
Round 1. MR 4 SC (4)
Round 2. INC X 4 (8)
Round 3. 8 SC (8)
Round 4. (1 SC, INC) X 4 (12)
Round 5. (1 SC, INC) X 6 (18)
Round 6. 18 SC (18)
Round 7. (2 SC, INC) X 6 (24)
~Switch to black yarn.~
Round 8. 24 SC (24)
Round 9. (3 SC, INC) X 6 (30)
~Switch back to purple yarn.~
Note: You can cut off the black yarn now and it may be useful to work over the black yarn tail in the next round so that it is hidden within the hat.
Round 10. Using front loops only: (1 SC, INC) X 15 (45)
Finish off and weave in any ends.
EMBROIDERING BUCKLE:
Use yellow yarn to embroider on a rectangular buckle on top of the black stripe of the witch's hat. The horizontal part of the yellow buckle should be across 2 horizontal stitches on Round 8 and Round 9. The vertical part of the yellow buckle should be across 2 vertical stitches (the height of the black stripe).
3. Ghost
~Use white yarn for your ghost. ~
Round 1. MR 6 SC (6)
Round 2. INC X 6 (12)
Round 3. (1 SC, INC) X 6 (18)
Round 4. (2 SC, INC) X 6 (24)
Round 5-9. 24 SC (24) [5 rounds]
Round 10. 7 SC, BO, 8 SC, BO, 7 SC (24)
~Time to add the ghost's facial expression! (I prefer to add the eyes before doing rounds 11-13 and after rounds 11-13 I like to then add the blush)~
EYES (safety eyes): Insert safety eyes at Rounds 8-9 in between the bobble stitches on the opposite side of where your hook currently is, since the first/last stitch of each round are at the backside of the ghost. The eyes should be ~4 stitches apart.
Round 11-13. 24 SC (24) [3 rounds]
BLUSH (pink bulky weight yarn): Use pink yarn to embroider on blush between Rounds 9-10, just below and to the sides of the ghost's eyes. Each blush should be across 2 stitches.
~Begin stuffing the ghost's body! Continue stuffing as you go along. Try on the ghost's hat as you stuff it to make sure you do not overstuff or understuff the top part of the ghost.~
Round 14. Using front loops of Round 13: ([in same stitch: 1 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC], SLST in next stitch) X 12 (48)
Note: It may be useful to put a stitch marker in the back loops of Round 13 since we'll use them in the next round!
Round 15. Using back loops of Round 13: (2 SC, DEC) X 6 (18)
Note: You are using the back loops of Round 13, which is two rounds ago.
Round 16. Using both loops: (1 SC, DEC) X 6 (12)
Round 17. DEC X 6 (6)
Finish stuffing. Finish off and leave a yarn tail to close the hole. Weave the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull tightly to close the hole. Weave in the remaining end.
And just like that—voila! Your cozy little ghost is complete! I hope you had as much fun making it as I did. Whether it’s sitting on your desk, hanging from your backpack, or keeping you company during scary movie nights, this mini ghost is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
A huge thank-you to @AQCrochets for creating the original No Sew Mini Ghosts Wearing Hats pattern! This post is based on their amazing design, and I highly recommend checking out their page for more adorable creations.
Now grab your candy, turn on your favorite Halloween movie, and get ready to crochet your next spooky masterpiece.
Happy Halloween, and happy crocheting! 👻🧶
