Grey Snake Garden Stake Crochet Free Pattern
Grey Snake Garden Stake Crochet Free Pattern
Introduction
This grey snake garden stake is a fun, slightly wild touch for any garden, porch planter, or Western-themed yard display. It's made from one long crocheted tube, bent into a gentle S-shape and mounted on a wooden dowel so it stands tall among your flowers. The dusty rose stripe bands and tiny black bead eyes give it a playful, handcrafted look that catches the eye without being fussy. It's a great project for crocheters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to try a longer, more meditative make.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Super bulky (6) weight acrylic yarn — grey (MC) 80 yards, dusty rose (CC) 20 yards
- Hooks: 6 mm (J/10) and 8 mm (L/11)
- Notions: Black yarn or embroidery floss for eyes, tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker, 36-inch wooden dowel
- Finished size: Snake body 36 inches long and 2 inches in diameter; mounted on a 36-inch dowel for a total height of 40 inches
Abbreviations
- MC — main color (grey)
- CC — contrasting color (dusty rose)
- MR — magic ring (an adjustable loop to start working in the round)
- sc — single crochet
- inc — increase (work 2 single crochet into the same stitch)
- dec — decrease (work 2 stitches together into 1)
- sts — stitches
- R / Rnd — round
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this pattern, but with the 6 mm hook, 10 single crochet and 10 rows should measure about 4 inches. Work a small swatch and measure it to check before you begin.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your tension even along the long body tube so the dowel slides in smoothly and the snake stays a consistent 2 inches thick.
- Use a stitch marker at the start of each round — the body is a continuous spiral and it's easy to lose your place over 200 rounds.
- Count your stripe rounds carefully; each CC band is exactly 4 rounds, so mark the color changes as you go.
- Don't stuff the body — the wooden dowel provides all the structure, so the tube only needs to fit snugly around it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (MC, 6 mm hook)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)
Rnds 3–60: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 61–64: Change to CC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 65–68: Change to MC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 69–72: Change to CC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 73–100: Change to MC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 101–104: Change to CC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 105–140: Change to MC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 141–144: Change to CC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 145–180: Change to MC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 181–184: Change to CC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 185–200: Change to MC, sc in each st around (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Head (MC, 8 mm hook)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts)
Rnds 4–10: sc in each st around (18 sts)
Rnd 11: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts)
Rnd 12: dec x6 (6 sts)
Fasten off.
Eyes
With black yarn, embroider two French knots on the head for the eyes.
Assembly
Insert the 36-inch wooden dowel into the body tube, leaving 4 inches exposed at the tail end. Bend the body into a gentle S-shape. Sew the head to the top of the body. Sew the tail opening closed around the dowel.
Edging
With the 6 mm hook and MC, sc evenly around the head base to secure it. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends securely, especially at the color changes and around the head base. Sew the head firmly to the top of the body so it holds its shape outdoors. Sew the tail opening tightly around the dowel so the stake stays in place. If desired, block the head lightly with steam to smooth the shape, then let it dry completely before setting the stake in the garden.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the dusty rose stripes for another accent color to match your garden or porch palette.
- Make a shorter version by working fewer body rounds for a smaller planter stake.
- Add a coat of clear outdoor sealant to the dowel for extra weather resistance.
