Ghosts are the friendliest icon of Halloween — no fangs, no gore, just a cute little sheet-shaped spirit. They are also one of the fastest things you can crochet: most ghost patterns use basic stitches, a ball of white yarn, and under an hour of your time. That makes them perfect for keychains, bag charms, garlands, pillows, and last-minute gifts.
Below are 11 genuinely free crochet ghost patterns. Every pattern on this list was checked: the full instructions are available for free on the designer’s page — no payment, no email gate required. A few designers also sell an optional ad-free PDF, but the free version is complete.
Making ghosts as keychains? See our free crochet Halloween keychain patterns roundup for more spooky minis in the same style.
No-sew mini ghosts (beginner-friendly)
No-sew patterns are the fastest way into amigurumi: everything is worked as one piece, so there is nothing to attach when you finish. If you have never made a stuffed toy, start here.
1. Gilbert the Ghost
Nicole Chase’s Gilbert is a free no-sew ghost worked in one piece from bottom to top, with a sweet curled tail and an optional little witch hat accessory. The pattern covers two versions — classic worsted weight (about 5.5 inches tall) and plush chenille yarn (about 9.5 inches) — with step-by-step photos. You only need a magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases. A great pick for Halloween market prep or stash-busting.
Get the free Gilbert the Ghost pattern
2. No-Sew Quick Easy Ghost
The Crochet Professor’s free pattern gives you a cute no-sew ghost in under an hour using bulky weight yarn and a 4.5 mm hook. The arms are crocheted over in round 10 of the body, so there is genuinely nothing to sew. Beginner friendly, with stitch counts at the end of every round so you can check your work as you go.
Get the free No-Sew Quick Easy Ghost pattern
3. Mini No-Sew Ghost
This free Ribblr ePattern is a tiny beginner-friendly ghost you can use for keychains, ornaments, or cat toys — the designer even notes it is perfect for market prep. As a Ribblr interactive pattern it includes row-by-row progress tracking, built-in stitch tutorials, and one-tap US/UK term switching. Use any yarn and hook you like.
Get the free Mini No-Sew Ghost pattern
4. Baby Ghost No-Sew
Another free beginner-friendly no-sew ghost on Ribblr, designed by Nessie Crochet shop. It is worked as an interactive ePattern with stitch tutorial videos and automatic cm/inch conversion, and crafters who made it rate it easy to follow. A good choice if you want a slightly different ghost shape for a set of minis.
Get the free Baby Ghost No-Sew pattern
Ghost amigurumi softies
For a ghost with a bit more presence — a shelf sitter, a desk buddy, or a gift for a Halloween-loving friend — these softies take a little longer but stay simple.
5. Ghost Amigurumi
StringyDingDing’s free ghost is rated easy: the whispy head, head, and body are all one continuous piece, then you add arms, a tail, and a tiny pumpkin. Full round-by-round instructions with photos walk you through the short-row shaping that gives the ghost its classic wispy crown.
Get the free Ghost Amigurumi pattern
6. Red Heart Amigurumi Ghost
Yarnspirations offers this free amigurumi ghost as a 100% free download with no sign-up required. Made in Red Heart Super Saver, it stands about 6 inches tall — a nice sturdy size for a handmade gift. If you already have white worsted weight yarn in your stash, this is essentially a free project.
Get the free Red Heart Amigurumi Ghost pattern
Ghost keychains and bag charms
Ghosts convert beautifully to keychains and bag charms — just add a split ring or a lobster clasp with a small jump ring at the top. For more keychain ideas in the same vein, browse our Halloween keychain roundup and our bag charm patterns for the hardware how-to.
7. Blushing Ghost Keychain
Sugar Wyrm’s blushing ghost is a free pattern with full instructions on the page: a 2.75-inch ghost with embroidered blush marks under the safety eyes, a ruffled wavy bottom edge, and a keychain attachment at the top of the head. Cute enough to live on a backpack, purse, or phone case year-round.
Get the free Blushing Ghost Keychain pattern
8. Ghost Keychain
AmivuiStudio’s free ghost keychain is a quick, scrap-friendly amigurumi with a playful wavy hem. The pattern page includes the full round-by-round instructions plus a tutorial video. Ideal for using up leftover white yarn — one ball makes several.
Get the free Ghost Keychain pattern
Ghosts for Halloween decor
When you want the whole room to feel like Halloween, ghosts scale up nicely: garlands, pillows, and wall-hanging squares all start from the same simple shape.
9. Ghostly Garland
Pia Thadani’s free ghost garland pattern uses about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn per ghost — each one is roughly 6 to 6.5 inches tall, and three ghosts make a 24-inch garland. Hang them individually or string a long garland across a staircase, mantel, or wall. You can work it in any yarn weight, and the size simply scales with your yarn choice.
Get the free Ghostly Garland pattern
10. Ghost Pillow
Maria’s Blue Crayon’s free ghost pillow pattern comes in two sizes — a 20″ x 12″ lumbar pillow and a 14″ x 14″ square — worked in worsted weight yarn. You crochet two simple half-double-crochet panels, then attach separately-made ghost appliqués to the front. Customize the pillow color and the number of ghosts to match your decor.
Get the free Ghost Pillow pattern
11. Ghost C2C Square
If you like corner-to-corner crochet, this free ghost motif square works up into a 25-inch square with the specified yarn — perfect for a wall hanging, a pillow front, or the start of a Halloween blanket. The pattern includes the full row-by-row chart-style instructions written in standard US terms.
Get the free Ghost C2C Square pattern
Which ghost pattern should you make first?
| Pattern | Time | Skill level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert the Ghost | ~1–2 hours | Beginner | A polished first amigurumi |
| No-Sew Quick Easy Ghost | Under 1 hour | Beginner | Fastest no-sew make |
| Mini No-Sew Ghost | Under 1 hour | Beginner | Keychains and market prep |
| Baby Ghost No-Sew | Under 1 hour | Beginner | Interactive pattern format |
| Ghost Amigurumi | ~2 hours | Easy | A characterful shelf ghost |
| Red Heart Amigurumi Ghost | ~2 hours | Easy | Stash-busting with worsted |
| Blushing Ghost Keychain | Under 1 hour | Beginner | Bags, backpacks, gifts |
| Ghost Keychain | Under 1 hour | Beginner | Scrap yarn |
| Ghostly Garland | An evening | Intermediate | Mantel and wall decor |
| Ghost Pillow | A weekend | Easy | Statement Halloween decor |
| Ghost C2C Square | A few hours | Intermediate | Blankets and wall hangings |
Tips for crochet ghosts that look professional
White yarn shows every loose end, so weave in tails carefully and trim them flush. For the classic ghost look, keep your stitches tight — go down a hook size from what the yarn label suggests so no stuffing peeks through. Safety eyes are the quickest face, but embroidered eyes and smiles (a few straight stitches with black yarn) look softer and are safer for gifts to small children.
If you are making a set — say, a garland or matching keychains — weigh your first ghost’s yarn or note your row counts so every ghost matches. And pair your ghosts with other quick Halloween makes: our pumpkin patterns and our witch hat patterns use the same stash yarns and skill level.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest crochet ghost pattern for a beginner?
Start with a no-sew mini: Gilbert the Ghost, the Crochet Professor’s no-sew ghost, or either of the Ribblr no-sew patterns on this list. They use only single crochet, increases, and decreases, work up in under two hours, and there is nothing to sew when you finish.
Can I crochet a ghost without any sewing?
Yes. Several patterns on this list are fully no-sew — the arms are crocheted directly into the body as you work, and the head and body are one continuous piece. Look for “no-sew” in the pattern description; Gilbert the Ghost is the most polished example.
What can I make with crochet ghosts?
Mini ghosts become keychains, bag charms, ornaments, and car-mirror pendants. Make several for a garland, scale one up into a pillow or a C2C blanket square, or gift a softie as-is. They are also popular quick makes for craft fairs because they work up fast and use little yarn.
What yarn works best for crochet ghosts?
Plain white worsted or chunky acrylic is the classic choice and shows stitch definition well. Plush chenille yarn makes a jumbo squishy ghost; cotton gives crisp minis for keychains. Match your hook a size down from the label recommendation for tight, stuffing-hiding stitches.
Are all of these ghost patterns really free?
Yes. Each link goes to the designer’s free version of the pattern with complete instructions — no payment and no email sign-up required. A few designers also sell an optional ad-free PDF if you prefer printing, but the free version is the full pattern.
