Ho! Ho! Ho! Tis the season for all things Santa!

Why not knit a jolly Santa for your favorite little one or to decorate your home for Christmas?

This time of year, we all start to think about what gifts we can knit for our friends and family.

There are so many adorable patterns out there that it's hard to narrow down the list!

I've gone through and found ten great free knitting patterns for Santa-Claus-inspired items from ornaments to gift bags.

Whether you're looking for something festive or just love this jolly old man, one of these is sure to be perfect!

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10 Santa Free Knitting Patterns to Knit

#1. Santa Shelf-Doll Free Knitting Pattern

If Elf on the Shelf has been a popular item in your home, why not knit a Santa on the shelf? You can place him on a bookshelf, on top of a computer, or over a doorway.

He’s a fun stuffed toy that knits up quickly and sure to put a smile on every child’s face who sees him.

Uses worsted weight yarn

Designed by Jean Woods

Get Santa Shelf-Doll Free Knitting Pattern
Get Knit Picks Brava Worsted Yarn for this project

#2. Santa Gnome Free Knitting Pattern

Create a bevy of Santa Gnomes to decorate every corner of your home! These cute Christmas creatures are easy to knit.

Pattern includes instructions to gnomes in flat pieces or in-the-round.

Uses aran weight yarn

Designed by KJ Hay

Get Santa Gnome Free Knitting Pattern
Get Knit Picks Brava Worsted Yarn for this project

#3. Santa Gift Bag Free Knitting Pattern

Here’s the perfect way to give a gift - wrapped in a reusable Santa gift bag!
It’s an easy-to-knit pattern that’s worked in-the round from the bottom up. The color changes are easy enough for a new knitter and interesting for an established knitter.

Uses bulky weight yarn

Designed by

#4. Santa Christmas Ornament Free Knitting Pattern

A cute and easy to follow pattern for a Christmas Tree Ornament Santa that can adorn your tree.

This ornament is knitted flat on two needles.

Uses DK weight yarn

Designed by L.T.Marshall

Get Santa Christmas Ornament Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Swish DK Yarn for this project

#5. Merry Santa Hat Free Knitting Pattern

Here’s a hat that is sure to be your child’s favorite winter hat - Santa!

It’s a cozy hat featuring merry Santa motifs in stranded colorwork Fair Isle knitting.

The seamless hat is knitted in-the-round from the bottom up and finished with a fluffy pompom.

Size 3 - 14 years

Uses aran weight yarn

Created by DROPS design

Get Merry Santa Hat Free Knitting Pattern
Get DROPS Air Yarn for this project

#6. Jolly Santa Knit Basket Free Pattern

Santa approves of this knit gift basket using Red Heart With Love!

Seamless, charted, knit in the round from the bottom up.

Uses aran weight yarn

Designed by Nancy Anderson

Get Jolly Santa Basket Free Knitting Pattern
Get Red Heart with Love Yarn for this project

#7. Santa Christmas Tree Ornament Free Knitting Pattern

This little Santa is only 4 ¾ inches/12 cm high so can be hung on your Christmas tree, used as a keyring or just a standing ornament, you could even fix to a present or sack for a nice festive touch.
He is a quick knit and knitted flat using only small amounts of yarn.

Uses DK weight yarn

Designed by Phoeny

Get Santa Ornament Free Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
Get Knit Picks Swish DK Yarn for this project

#8. Mini Santa and Reindeer Free Knitting Pattern

So cute! Knit your own mini Santa and reindeer. This amigurimi project can be used as a decoration, tree ornament, or gift for someone special.

Uses DK weight yarn

Designed by Sachiyo Ishii

Get Santa and Reindeer Free Knitting Pattern
Get Knit Picks Swish DK Yarn for this project

#9. Secret Surprise Santa Free Knitting Pattern

Do you need somewhere to hide a secret message or a special gift this Christmas? Then look no further! This cute little Santa decoration hides a surprise under his hat.

Uses worsted weight yarn

Designed by Sarah Knight