Mosaic Soft Holly: Free Crochet Pattern
- CrochetHooksandMagic
- 6 hours ago
- 12 min read
Welcome the gentle spirit of the season with the Soft Holly crochet pattern! This serene design captures the timeless beauty of Christmas, weaving together delicate holly motifs through mosaic crochet in the round. As your stitches grow, a graceful pattern emerges—evoking evergreen leaves, winter berries, and the quiet magic of holiday traditions.
If you’ve been enjoying mosaic crochet or are curious to try it, Soft Holly might just be the nudge you need. It’s a fresh square design that plays with symmetry, repetition, and a little bit of festive geometry, all using the stunning overlay mosaic technique.
If you’re newer to mosaic crochet, this square is a good entry point. It uses standard stitches and charted repeats, and the layout makes it easy to spot where you are in the pattern. For seasoned mosaic fans, it’s a satisfying addition to your collection, something a little different, but still grounded in the technique we love.
Ready to weave some festive magic? Let's get started!
This is an addition to the Soft Christmas series including 3 beautiful designs, which you can find here:
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What do you need?
You'll need 2 superfine weight yarn (3 ply) colours in contrasting shades. I've chosen a colour change yarn with an acrylic mix fibre content which can be used as either the main colour or contrast colour, depending on your own preference, and a plain white.
[MC] Hobbii Universe Christmas—Sparkling Lights (21)
(Superfine/3ply, 98% Acrylic, 2% Polyester , 462m/100g)
[CC] Hobbii Soft Alpaca—White (01)
(Superfine/3ply, 100% Alpaca, 165m/50g)
You'll also need a crochet hook:
Make sure you also have a tape measure and stitch markers to hand before you start to check your tension.
How are the squares made?
The square is worked in the round from centre out. The mosaic overlay technique is used throughout to build the design; you do not have to change colour mid round.
Each finished square measures 24 cm (9.5”) using the same yarn and hook specified and can be joined to create blankets, table runners or any other item you can imagine using your squares.
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Materials
[MC] Hobbii Universe—Sparkling Lights (21)
[CC] Hobbii Soft Alpaca—White (01)
Hook 3.0mm (US D/3)
Other Stitch markers for placing, tape measure.
Tension 26 sts x 24 rnds = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm) measured over blsc. Size up or down in hook to achieve tension. Size up or down in hook to achieve tension.
Terminology US
Sizes One size
Approx Finished Size 24 cm (9.5”) square
Style Crochet Square
Pattern notes
Each mosaic round is worked from the right side; do not turn at the end of each round.
All blsc are worked into the top of the stitch from the previous round as normal.
All fldcs are worked into the front loop of the stitch immediately below it, 2 rows down, ie where a fldc is indicated in round 3, it is worked into the front loop of the stitch directly below it from round 1 and the same stitch of row 3 is skipped.
All slip stitches are worked into back loop only and first stitch of each round is worked in same stitch as previous round’s slip stitch.
There is no need to fasten off the colour not being used at the end of each round, just drop the colour and pick it up again when required.
Chains and modified corner stitches are not included in stitch counts.
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Crochet Pattern Abbreviations:
blsc—back loop single crochet
ch—chain
CC—contrast colour
fldc—front loop double crochet
Lfltr—left front loop treble
Lfldc—left front loop double crochet
MC—main colour
rep—repeat
Rfltr—right front loop treble
Rfldc—right front loop double crochet
Rfltr-fldc-Lfltr—right front loop treble, front loop double crochet and left front loop treble 3 together
rnd—round
sc—single crochet
sl st—slip stitch
st—stitch
yo—yarn over
Special Stitches:
For full stitch explanations and diagrams, a pdf pattern is available to download.
fldc – working 2 rows down, yo, insert hook into front loop only of stitch 2 rows down , yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through last 2 loops on hook. Skip one stitch of current round.
blsc – insert hook into back loop only of next stitch, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook.
Lfltr – working 2 rows down, yo twice, skip next 2 sts, insert hook into front loop of next stitch 2 rows down, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through last 2 loops on hook. Skip one stitch of current round.
Rfltr – working 2 rows down, yo twice, insert hook into front loop of st 2 sts to the right 2 rows down, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Skip one stitch of current round.
Lfldc – working 2 rows down, yo, insert hook into front loop of next stitch to the left, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through last 2 loops on hook. Skip one stitch of current round.
Rfldc – working 2 rows down, yo, insert hook into front loop of stitch to the right, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook. Skip one stitch of current round.
Rfltr-fldc-Lfltr working 2 rows down, yo twice, insert hook into front loop of st 2 sts to the right, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, [2 loops left on hook], yo, insert hook into normal ‘fldc’ st, yo, pull through, yo pull through 2, yo twice, skip next 2 sts, insert hook into front loop of next stitch, yo, pull through, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, pull through last 4 loops on hook. Skip one stitch of current round.
Corner Stitches:
Each round will have 4 corners. A standard corner will include a stitch, followed by 2 chains and another stitch.
Modified Corner stitch—“1 ch, 1 fldc, 1 ch”
This is a fldc worked between the usual ‘2 ch’ of each corner. This creates a diagonal bar of colour in each corner and is worked by making a front loop double crochet into one of the corner chains from 2 rows previous. It doesn’t matter which corner ch from the previous 2 rows you use as long as you are consistent in following rounds when the diagonal bars are required. This is referred to as a ‘modified corner’. The fldc of a modified corner will always be missed in the following round, only following round’s modified corner stitches should be worked into this fldc.
Written Crochet Pattern…
Make a magic circle in CC.
Rnd 1 (CC) 1 ch, *1 sc, 2 ch; rep from * 3 more times, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into first ch of corner ch, changing to MC on last yo and continuing to change colour on last yo of each rnd throughout. [4]
Rnd 2 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 1 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into first ch of corner ch. [12]
Rnd 3 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 1 blsc, 1 fldc, 1 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [20]
Rnd 4 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 fldc into front loop of corner ch to the right from rnd 2, 2 ch, 1 fldc into front loop of corner ch to the left from rnd 2) missing 2 ch, 2 fldc working first into the same front loop as previous st, 1 blsc, 2 fldcs working last into next ch; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [28]
***The following rnd has a modified corner st. See pattern notes and special stitches for guidance.***
Rnd 5 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 fldc into front loop of corner ch to the right from rnd 3 inserting hook from front to back through gap of corner from rnd 4, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 fldc into front loop of corner ch to the left from rnd 3 inserting hook from front to back through gap of corner from rnd 4) missing 2 ch, 3 blsc, 1 fldc, 3 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of modified corner ch. [36]
***Remember, the ‘fldc’ of the modified corner should be missed when working Rnd 6 corners.***
Rnd 6 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner, 1 blsc, 2 fldc, 3 blsc, 2 fldc, 1 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [44]
*** The ‘fldc’ of following round modified corner st is worked into the ‘fldc’ of modified corner st from 2 rounds previous. This applies to rnds 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 also.***
Rnd 7 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 1 blsc, 1 fldc, 2 blsc, 1 fldc, 1 blsc, 1 fldc, 2 blsc, 1 fldc, 1 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of first modified corner ch. [52]
Rnd 8 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner, 2 fldc, 1 blsc, 2 fldc, 3 blsc, 2 fldc, 1 blsc, 2 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [60]
Rnd 9 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 3 blsc, 1 fldc, 7 blsc, 1 fldc, 3 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of first modified corner ch. [68]
Rnd 10 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc), across next modified corner, 4 fldc, 1 blsc, 7 fldc, 1 blsc, 4 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [76]
Rnd 11 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 4 blsc, 1 Lfldc, 9 blsc, 1 Rfldc, 4 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of first modified corner ch. [84]
Rnd 12 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc), across modified corner st, 5 fldc, 1 blsc, 4 fldc, 1 blsc, 4 fldc, 1 blsc, 5 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [92]
Rnd 13 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 7 blsc, 1 Rfldc, 3 blsc, 1 fldc, 3 blsc, 1 Lfldc, 7 blsc rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of first modified corner ch. [100]
Rnd 14 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner st, 6 fldc, 3 blsc, 3 fldc, 1 blsc, 3 fldc, 3 blsc, 6 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [108]
Rnd 15 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 6 blsc, 1 Lfldc, 6 blsc, 1 fldc, 6 blsc, 1 Rfldc, 6 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of first modified corner ch. [116]
Rnd 16 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc), across next modified corner st, 7 fldc, 1 blsc, 6 fldc, 1 blsc, 6 fldc, 1 blsc, 7 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [124]
Rnd 17 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 9 blsc, 1 Rfldc, 5 blsc, 1 fldc, 5 blsc, 1 Lfldc, 9 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of first modified corner ch. [132]
Rnd 18 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner st, 6 fldc, 5 blsc, 3 fldc, (1 blsc, 1 fldc) 2 times, 1 blsc, 3 fldc, 5 blsc, 6 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [140]
Rnd 19 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 6 blsc, 1 Lfldc, 10 blsc, 1 Rfltr-fldc-Lfltr, 10 blsc, 1 Rfldc, 6 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of modified corner ch. [148]
Rnd 20 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner st, 7 fldc, 1 blsc, 6 fldc, 9 blsc, 6 fldc, 1 blsc, 7 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [156]
Rnd 21 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 9 blsc, 1 Rfldc, 7 blsc, 1 Lfltr, 1 blsc, 1 fldc, 1 blsc, 1 Rfltr, 7 blsc, 1 Lfldc, 9 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of modified corner ch. [164]
Rnd 22 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner st, 6 fldc, 5 blsc, 7 fldc, (1 blsc, 1 fldc) 2 times, 1 blsc, 7 fldc, 5 blsc, 6 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [172]
Rnd 23 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, modified corner st, do not miss a st, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 7 blsc, 1 fldc, 13 blsc, 1 fldc, 13 blsc, 1 fldc, 7 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of modified corner ch. [180]
Rnd 24 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next modified corner st, 4 fldc, 5 blsc, 13 fldc, 1 blsc, 13 fldc, 5 blsc, 4 fldc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [188]
Rnd 25 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 5 blsc, 1 fldc, 17 blsc, 1 fldc, 17 blsc, 1 fldc, 5 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [196]
Rnd 26 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) miss next 2 ch, 7 blsc, 17 fldc, 1 blsc, 17 fldc, 7 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [204]
Rnd 27 (CC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 51 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [212]
Rnd 28 (MC) 1 ch, *(1 blsc, 2 ch, 1 blsc) across next 2 ch, 53 blsc; rep from * around, sl st into back loop of first st, sl st into back loop of corner ch. [220]
Fasten off and weave in all ends. Block to measurements.
Congratulations on completing your Soft Holly Mosaic Crochet Pattern!
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Elisa
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This pattern is an original pattern by Crochet Hooks and Magic. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.
You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, Crochet Hooks and Magic. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you!
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