Chinese New Year is hands-down one of my favorite times of the year. Being Chinese, I grew up surrounded by the excitement of the season with red decorations everywhere, the smell of delicious food in the kitchen, and the anticipation of family gatherings.
It's a time full of traditions like giving red envelopes and good food. It really feels like the Christmas season for Chinese families like mine. I love how every detail has meaning, from the colors we use to the foods we prepare, and it's the perfect inspiration for creative and festive projects.
This year, I wanted to bring a little of that Lunar New Year magic into crochet! I've rounded up a collection of FREE crochet patterns that celebrate the holiday in all its glory. From adorable zodiac animals, lucky lanterns, to festive treats and more! These patterns are a fun way to welcome the Year of the Horse with creativity and luck.
FREE Chinese New Year Crochet Patterns
Credit: Once Upon a Cheerio
Crochet Chinese Lucky Candy Pillow
This Chinese Lucky Candy Pillow crochet pattern lets you make an oversized lucky candy inspired by the traditional Lai See Tong, complete with a removable candy pillow inside the red and gold wrapper. The beginner-friendly crochet design works up beautifully with bulky yarn and simple stitches, with the cross-stitched characters to the front. It's perfect for Chinese New Year decorating or gifting.
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Credit: Once Upon a Cheerio
Crochet Giant Fortune Cookie Pillow
Make a statement with this Giant Crochet Fortune Cookie Pillow. This fun and festive crochet pattern is perfect for Chinese New Year home decor or whimsical gifting. Don't be intimidated by the size. Even though it's oversized, it's worked up with simple stitches and shaping that crochet beginners can handle with ease. Quick and cozy to crochet some good fortune for your Lunar New Year celebrations.
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Credit: One Dog Woof
Zoodiac C2C Crochet Blanket
Add a meaningful Lunar New Year project to your list with the Zoodiacs C2C Crochet Afghan pattern, a corner-to-corner blanket design featuring adorable Chinese zodiac animal squares. Each zodiac animal is its own C2C square, so you can use it as a pillow or join them together into a cozy afghan.
Credit: Once Upon a Cheerio
Amigurumi Egg Tarts
Crochet this adorable Egg Tart Amigurumi to add a touch of playful dim sum charm to your Lunar New Year decor or amigurumi food collection. This free crochet pattern captures the look of a beloved Hong Kong-style egg tart, making it a fun project for food-themed crochet. Perfect for gifting or festive decorating, this pattern brings a bit of sweet handmade joy to your Chinese New Year celebrations.
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Credit: All About Ami
Chinese Zodiac Amigurumi Collection
Crochet the entire Chinese zodiac with this free Chinese New Year Zodiac Amigurumi Collection, featuring all 12 animal designs perfect for festive decorating or gifting. Each amigurumi pattern was thoughtfully designed to capture the personality of its zodiac animal with charming details. Make one or make them all!
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Credit: Once Upon a Cheerio
Easy Crochet Bao (with a Surprise!)
This free crochet bao amigurumi pattern is a playful take on a classic steamed bun that adds a cheeky twist to your Lunar New Year crochet projects. Worked in simple stitches with minimal sewing, this beginner-friendly pattern uses clever shaping to form soft, squishy buns. It's perfect for gifting, decorating, or adding to your amigurumi food collection.
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Credit: Sweet Softies
Lucky Lunar Lantern Crochet Pattern
Light up your Lunar New Year with this Lucky Lunar Lantern crochet pattern, inspired by traditional lucky lanterns that symbolize good fortune and prosperity. This red and yellow amigurumi lantern works up quickly with minimal sewing and simple stitches, making it great for crochet beginners.
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Credit: Doriyumi
Crochet Clementine Tree Pattern
Brighten your Lunar New Year with this free Chinese New Year Clementine crochet pattern. Inspired by the tradition of gifting mandarins and clementines for good luck and prosperity, these cute citrus amigurumi make a cheerful, festive decoration. Perfect for food-themed crochet decor and small projects.
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Credit: Mini Dolly
Easy Crochet Doll for Chinese New Year
Follow along with this beginner-friendly crochet video tutorial to make a festive Chinese New Year girl doll that's perfect for holiday decor or gifting. The step-by-step visuals make it easy to learn the stitches and shaping as you work, even if you're new to crochet.
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Credit: curiouspapaya
Red Envelope (Hong Bao) Crochet Pattern
You can't have Lunar New Year without red envelopes (hong bao)! Inspired by the traditional lucky envelopes given during Chinese New Year, this beginner-friendly crochet pattern works up quickly and is reusable, making it perfect for gifting small treats. A thoughtful, handmade twist on a beloved Chinese New Year tradition that brings prosperity symbolism.
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Credit: Ollie + Holly
Amigurumi Gold Yuan Bao Crochet Pattern
Bring extra luck to your Lunar New Year with this free Yuan Bao amigurumi, inspired by the traditional Chinese gold ingot symbolizing wealth and prosperity. This ornament-style project works up in simple stitches and makes a meaningful festive decoration or handmade gift for Chinese New Year celebrations. Add some lucky accent to your holiday decor!
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Credit: The Little World of Yotsuba & Clan
Pineapple Tart Amigurumi Pattern
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with this adorable Pineapple Tart amigurumi, inspired by the beloved Southeast Asian treat made popular in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Rooted in Hokkien culture, pineapple symbolizes prosperity ('ong lai' meaning 'fortune comes'), making this sweet amigurumi especially meaningful for the Chinese New Year.
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