This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
In This Article Show
Christmas photos deserve better than a phone screen. A crochet picture holder turns a favorite snapshot into an ornament, a stocking gift or a little framed moment on the mantel, and it takes less than an evening to make.
This roundup gathers 11 crochet picture holder ideas for Christmas, from a full set of ruffled photo holder ornaments and a letter bead frame to the star of the list: a Santa face picture holder with his hat on top and his beard framing the photo.
Most holders are simply a crochet pocket or frame sized to your photo, with a clear sleeve slipped inside to protect the picture. Work them in classic red, green and white, or match the colors to the photo inside.
The first three ideas include full materials lists and simple pattern notes written for this post. The remaining ideas are shorter guides with a you will need list, so you can make one special frame or a whole set for the family.
Quick Picks
- Best full set: Christmas Photo Holder Ornaments, idea 1
- Most festive: Santa Face Picture Holder Ornament, idea 3
- Best small gift: Mini Hanging Photo Holders, idea 7
1. Christmas Photo Holder Ornaments Set
A whole family set of photo holders in red and green with ruffled edges, each one framing a favorite face. Hang them together on the tree and you have a family photo album that sparkles. Make one per grandchild and grandparents will be thrilled.
⏱ About 1 hour each🛠 BeginnerSize: To fit wallet or 4 x 6 photos
Materials Needed
- Red, green and white cotton DK yarn
- Clear 4 x 6 photo sleeves to protect the pictures
- Ribbon or cord for hanging loops
- 3.5 mm crochet hook and a yarn needle
Pattern Notes
Crochet a plain rectangle in half double crochet, slightly wider and taller than your photo. Fold the bottom two thirds up to form a pocket and stitch the sides closed, leaving the top open. Slip the photo inside its clear sleeve, then drop the sleeved photo into the pocket. Finish with a ruffle round around the open edges: two or three double crochet in each stitch in a contrasting color. Add a ribbon loop at the top center for hanging.
Tip: Always use the clear sleeve. It protects the photo from yarn fibers and makes swapping pictures each year quick and easy.
2. Merry Xmas Ruffle Frame Ornament
This cheerful frame layers green and red ruffles around the photo, adds a fluffy white edge like snow, and spells out Merry Xmas in letter beads across the top and bottom. It is a showpiece ornament for one very favorite photo.
⏱ 1 to 2 hours🛠 Confident beginnerSize: To fit a wallet sized photo
Materials Needed
- Green and red cotton DK yarn, plus a fluffy white yarn for the snowy edge
- Alphabet letter beads and a needle that fits through them
- A clear photo sleeve and printed photo
- Small snowflake buttons or charms, optional
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
Pattern Notes
Make a front frame and a plain back piece. For the front, work a rectangle and create the window by chaining across the middle section and skipping stitches for several rows, then completing the top. Join front and back around three sides, slide in the sleeved photo, and close the top. Add one round of green ruffle and one of red around the outer edge, then a fluffy white round. Thread the letter beads onto strong thread and stitch the words along the top and bottom edges.
Tip: Lay the letter beads out in order on the table and photograph them before stitching. It saves unpicking a misspelled Merry Xmas later.
3. Santa Face Picture Holder Ornament
The holder everyone asks about: Santa himself frames your photo, with his red hat and white pompom at the top and his curly white beard ruffled around the bottom of the frame. Hung on the tree, it is equal parts ornament and portrait.
⏱ 1 to 2 hours🛠 Confident beginnerSize: To fit a wallet sized photo
Materials Needed
- Red DK yarn for the hat and frame
- White or antique white yarn for the beard and hat trim
- A clear photo sleeve and printed photo
- Gold cord for the hanging loop
- 3.5 mm crochet hook and a yarn needle
Pattern Notes
Build the holder like the ruffle frame in idea 2, but shape the decoration as Santa. Work the top section in red as the hat, adding a folded triangle flap with a white pompom at its tip. Work the frame band in white for the hat trim and face surround. Around the bottom and lower sides, add two rounds of white shell stitches, increasing generously so the shells ripple like a curly beard. Add the hanging loop through the top of the hat.
Tip: A portrait photo with the face in the upper half works best in the Santa holder, so Santa’s beard ruffle does not cover anyone important.
4. Mini Crochet Photo Frames Set
Four little frames in soft colors, each tied with a bow and holding a small photo. These mini frames are not Christmas specific, which makes them a year round gift, but worked in red and green they join the tree set beautifully.
You’ll need: cotton DK yarn in your chosen colors, thin ribbon for bows, small printed photos, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Small gifts and keychain photos
5. Lanyard Photocard Holder
A soft white photocard holder on a lanyard strap with a pink bow, made to carry a favorite card on a bag or around the neck. Teenagers adore these for concert and idol photocards, and they make brilliant stocking fillers.
You’ll need: white cotton yarn, a scrap of pink for the bow, a clear card sleeve, cord for the strap, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Teens, bag charms and stocking fillers
6. Soft Photocard Holder with Loop
A simple beige holder with a clear window, white edging and a sturdy hanging loop. The neutral colors suit any photo, and the window design keeps the picture fully visible while the crochet border does the decorating.
You’ll need: beige and white cotton yarn, a clear sleeve cut to size, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Everyday photo carrying
7. Mini Hanging Photo Holders
Two tiny hanging holders with long loops, each carrying a small oval or square photo. Hang them from the tree, a door handle or a gift bag. They take about half an hour each and are a sweet way to give a photo without a card.
You’ll need: cream cotton yarn, small photos printed at home, a pinch of ribbon, and a 3 mm hook.
Best for: Photo gifts without the card
8. Standing Frame with Crochet Roses
A full size standing photo frame in cream crochet stitchwork with yellow roses in the corner. This one lives on a desk or mantel all year, and in December it frames the family Christmas portrait. Back it with card to help it stand firmly.
You’ll need: cream cotton yarn, yellow and green scraps for roses, stiff card for the back and stand, and a 4 mm hook.
Best for: Mantel and desk display
9. Santa Belt Picture Frame
Santa’s suit becomes the frame: bright red crochet with a fluffy white oval of trim around the photo and his black belt with a gold buckle across the bottom. It stands on a table and is the first thing guests notice.
You’ll need: red and white DK yarn, black yarn for the belt, gold yarn or a small buckle charm, stiff card backing, and a 4 mm hook.
Best for: Tabletop Christmas portraits
10. Santa Pocket Wall Organizer
The biggest holder of all: a cheerful Santa hanging on the door with a row of pockets across his belly, sized for Christmas cards, photos and little notes. As cards arrive in December, tuck the photo cards into Santa’s pockets for a display that grows all season.
You’ll need: red, white and skin tone worsted yarn, black and gold scraps for the belt, a wooden dowel or strong hanger, and a 5 mm hook.
Best for: Christmas card display in the hallway
11. Desk Santa Easel Picture Holder
A small amigurumi Santa holding a tiny easel frame, ready to stand on a desk with a favorite mini photo in it. He makes a thoughtful gift for a teacher or coworker: personal, handmade and just the right size for a workspace.
You’ll need: small amounts of red, white and skin tone DK yarn, a mini wooden easel or card stand, stuffing, and a 3 mm hook.
Best for: Teacher and coworker gifts
Frequently Asked Questions
What size photo fits a crochet picture holder?
Any size you plan for. Wallet sized prints suit hanging ornaments, while 4 x 6 prints suit standing frames. Crochet your pocket or frame about half an inch wider and taller than the photo so the sleeved picture slides in easily.
Do I need the clear plastic sleeve?
It is strongly recommended. The sleeve protects the photo from yarn texture and dust, keeps it flat, and lets you swap in this year’s photo next Christmas without remaking the holder.
How do I make a crochet frame stiff enough to stand?
Back the crochet with stiff card or plastic canvas cut to size and hidden between the front and back layers. Tight cotton stitches at a smaller hook size also help. Hanging holders need no stiffening at all.
What yarn is best for picture holders?
Cotton DK is ideal: it is smooth, holds crisp edges and does not shed fibers onto the photo. Acrylic works for the big Santa organizer where structure matters less than size.
How long does one holder take to crochet?
A mini hanging holder takes about 30 minutes, a ruffle frame ornament one to two hours, and the Santa pocket organizer a weekend of pleasant hooking because of its size.
Can I wash a crochet picture holder?
Remove the photo and sleeve first, then hand wash gently, reshape and dry flat. Cotton holders wash beautifully and come out crisp with a light press.
Final Thoughts on Santas Crochet Picture Holder
A crochet picture holder takes the most personal thing you own, a photo of someone you love, and wraps it in handmade warmth. Make the Santa face holder for the tree, a set of ruffle frames for the grandparents, and let Santa’s pockets gather the season’s cards. These are the decorations that get kept. Happy hooking.
