Looking for a cozy and adorable handmade Halloween outfit for a little one? This Crochet Baby Ghost Halloween Costume is a fun project that transforms a simple crochet baby gown into a soft, playful ghost costume.
The costume features a comfortable white crochet gown with a roomy shape, long sleeves, elasticized bottom, and optional wrist ribbing. A matching crochet hat completes the ghost-inspired look, while simple black felt eyes and a mouth create the classic friendly ghost face.
This project is especially suitable for cooler Halloween evenings because the plush velvet yarn creates a warm, soft, and snuggly fabric.
Safety note: This costume is designed for supervised use. Black felt pieces, fabric glue, elastic, Velcro, and other small components should be securely attached and checked frequently. Never leave a baby unattended while wearing a costume containing detachable decorations.
Why You'll Love This Crochet Ghost Costume
- Adorable Halloween design for babies
- Soft and cozy crochet fabric
- Uses plush velvet yarn for extra warmth
- Simple ghost face made with black felt
- Matching hat included
- Elastic bottom creates a fun ghostly silhouette
- Optional wrist cuffs
- Back opening makes dressing easier
- Great handmade Halloween gift or photo prop
Pattern Details
Project: Baby Ghost Halloween Costume
Approximate Size: Newborn to about 12 lbs
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Main Stitch: Wide Half Double Crochet
Yarn: Bernat Velvet or comparable bulky plush yarn
Main Hook: 6.0 mm (J)
Construction: Top-down gown with separate sleeves
Closure: Fabric Velcro
Decoration: Black felt ghost eyes and mouth
Finished Measurements
Gown
- Overall length from neck to bottom: approximately 23 inches
- Width: approximately 14 inches
- Sleeve length from underarm to wrist: approximately 5 inches
- Intended size: newborn to approximately 12 lbs
- Gauge: approximately 13 wide HDC stitches × 13 wide HDC rows = 4 inches
Hat
- Height: approximately 6 inches
- Circumference: approximately 15 inches
Felt Face
Eyes: approximately 2 × 1.5 inches each
Mouth: approximately 1.5 × 1.5 inches
Measurements may vary depending on yarn choice and crochet tension.
Materials
Yarn
- Bernat Velvet
- 100% polyester
- 300 g / 10.5 oz
- Approximately 315 yards / 288 meters
- 1 skein in White
A comparable plush yarn may be substituted if you can achieve the required gauge.
Crochet Hook
- 6.0 mm (J) crochet hook
Additional Supplies
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Black felt, approximately one 8 × 11-inch sheet
- Fabric glue
- Approximately 13 inches of 1/4-inch elastic
- Sticky-back fabric Velcro
- Stitch markers, optional
Crochet Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | Chain |
| hdc | Half double crochet |
| wHDC | Wide half double crochet |
| dc | Double crochet |
| sc | Single crochet |
| sl st | Slip stitch |
| FPDC | Front post double crochet |
| BPDC | Back post double crochet |
| st/sts | Stitch/stitches |
| yo | Yarn over |
| sk | Skip |
Special Stitches
Wide Half Double Crochet (wHDC)
Yarn over, insert your hook into the space between the stitch posts of the previous row, yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.
This stitch is also commonly described as a half double crochet worked between the posts.
Double Crochet Post Ribbing
Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC)
Yarn over and insert the hook from front to back and then back to front around the post of the designated stitch. Complete the double crochet normally. The post will project toward the front.
Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC)
Yarn over and insert the hook from back to front and then front to back around the post of the designated stitch. Complete the double crochet normally. The post will sit toward the back.
Crochet Baby Ghost Costume Pattern
Begin the Gown
Using white yarn and a 6.0 mm crochet hook:
Chain 38.
Row 1
Work 1 HDC into the 3rd chain from the hook.
Work 1 HDC into the next chain.
Repeat the following sequence across:
2 HDC in the next chain, 1 HDC into each of the next 2 chains.
Continue across the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
48 HDC stitches.
Row 2
Work 1 wide HDC into each of the next 8 spaces.
Work 3 wHDC into the next space.
Work 1 wHDC into each of the next 4 spaces.
Work 3 wHDC into the next space.
Work 1 wHDC into each of the next 16 spaces.
Work 3 wHDC into the next space.
Work 1 wHDC into each of the next 4 spaces.
Work 3 wHDC into the next space.
Work 1 wHDC into each of the remaining 12 spaces.
Chain 2 and turn.
Tip: The final stitch of each row is worked into the space between the last post and the turning chain.
Row 3
Repeat the following around the row:
Work 1 wHDC in each space until reaching the corner containing the three HDC stitches from the previous row.
Work 2 wHDC between the first and second post.
Work 2 wHDC between the second and third post.
Continue the same sequence around the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
Tip: Mark the space between the two pairs of increased HDC stitches. This makes it easier to identify the correct corner space for the next increase row.
Row 4
Work 1 wHDC into each space, including the spaces between the pairs of stitches worked together, until reaching the marked space.
Work 3 wHDC into that space.
Repeat around the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
Rows 5–9
Repeat Rows 3 and 4.
Continue maintaining the four corner increases as established.
Join the Armholes
Row 10
This row joins the front and back sections while leaving openings for the sleeves.
Work 1 wHDC into each space until reaching the center space between the pairs of increased stitches.
Work:
1 wHDC into the center space, chain 4, skip all stitches to the next center space, 1 wHDC into that center space.
Continue working wHDC across the back until reaching the next center space.
Repeat the armhole joining sequence.
Finish the row with wHDC stitches to the end.
Chain 2 and turn.
The chain-4 sections create the armhole openings.
Row 11
Work 1 wHDC into each space across the row.
When reaching each armhole, work 4 HDC around the chain-4 space.
Chain 2 and turn.
Row 12
Work:
1 wHDC into each of the next 10 stitches, 2 wHDC into the next stitch.
Repeat this increase sequence across the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
This additional increase gives the lower portion of the gown a slightly wider, flared shape.
Rows 13 Until the Gown Measures 16 Inches
Work 1 wHDC into each space across the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
Continue until the measurement from the neckline down reaches approximately 16 inches.
Close the Back Opening
Row 14
Lay the gown flat.
Position the longer back flap over the shorter flap by approximately 8 stitches.
Working through both layers of the gown, work the first 8 wHDC stitches to join the overlapping sections.
Continue working wHDC around the remainder of the gown.
Do not join the round.
Continue the Gown in Rounds
Row 15 Until the Gown Measures 23 Inches
Continue working:
1 wHDC into each space around.
Do not join.
Do not turn.
Continue working in the round until the total gown length reaches approximately 23 inches.
Elasticized Bottom
For the final round, work wHDC around the elastic.
The elastic should gently draw the bottom edge inward while maintaining the soft ghost-like shape.
Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.
Crochet Sleeves
Work the sleeves separately around the armhole openings.
Sleeve Round 1
Pull up a loop in the center space of the chain-4 section at the bottom of the armhole.
Work 1 HDC into that space.
Work 1 wHDC into the next space.
Work a wide HDC 3 together across the next three spaces to fill the corner area.
Continue working wHDC into each space around the armhole.
At the opposite corner, work wHDC3tog across the final three corner spaces.
Work the final wHDC into the space before the starting stitch.
Join with a slip stitch to the starting chain space.
Chain 1 and turn.
Sleeve Rounds 2 Until 4 Inches
Work 1 wHDC into each space around.
Join with a slip stitch to the starting chain space.
Chain 1 and turn.
Continue until the sleeve measures approximately 4 inches from the underarm.
Important tip: Count the stitches during Sleeve Round 2 and maintain the same stitch count on every subsequent round. Use the same stitch count for the second sleeve so both sleeves match.
When joining each round, insert the hook underneath the turning chain before making the slip stitch.
Crochet Wrist Ribbing
For the wrist ribbing, repeat:
Work 1 DC into the next 2 stitches, skip 1 stitch, DC into the next stitch.
Repeat around the sleeve.
Join.
Chain 2 and turn.
Work 3 rounds of double crochet post ribbing using FPDC and BPDC.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Repeat the sleeve and cuff instructions for the second armhole.
Crochet Ghost Hat
The matching hat is worked as a simple rectangle that is later gathered and seamed.
Before beginning, measure the baby's head if possible. This gives a more accurate circumference than relying on a standard size.
Starting Chain
Chain approximately 14 inches, or enough chains to match the baby's head circumference.
Hat Row 1
Work 1 DC into each chain across.
Chain 2 and turn.
Hat Row 2
Repeat:
1 FPDC around the first stitch, 1 BPDC around the next stitch.
Continue this ribbing sequence across the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
Hat Row 3
Continue working the ribbing stitch pattern across the row.
Chain 2 and turn.
Row 4 Until the Hat Measures 6 Inches
Work 1 wHDC into each space across.
Chain 2 and turn after every row.
Continue until the hat reaches approximately 6 inches in height.
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail.
Finishing the Ghost Hat
Use the long yarn tail to gather the top of the hat.
Pull the top closed securely.
Sew the two sides of the hat together to form the finished shape.
Weave in the remaining ends.
Create the Ghost Face
The ghost's face is made from simple pieces of black felt.
Cut:
- Two eyes, approximately 2 × 1.5 inches
- One mouth, approximately 1.5 × 1.5 inches
Arrange the pieces on the front of the hat or costume according to your preferred expression.
Use fabric glue to attach the felt.
Allow the adhesive to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions before using the costume.
Safety note: For a baby's costume, avoid loose felt pieces. Check the decorations before every use and make sure nothing can detach easily.
Finishing and Assembly
Before dressing the baby in the costume:
- Weave in all loose yarn tails.
- Check the sleeve seams and armhole joins.
- Make sure the elastic is securely enclosed.
- Check the Velcro closure.
- Ensure all felt pieces are firmly attached.
- Confirm that there are no loose yarn ends or detachable components.
- Check that the costume fits comfortably and does not restrict movement.
The finished costume should have a soft, oversized ghost silhouette with a gathered bottom, cozy sleeves, and a matching ghost hat.
Tips for a Better Crochet Ghost Costume
Measure Before You Crochet
Babies grow quickly, so measuring the intended wearer is more reliable than depending only on age-based sizing.
Test Your Gauge
Velvet yarn can behave differently from standard yarn because of its plush texture. Make a small gauge swatch before beginning if you want the finished dimensions to be as close as possible to the measurements listed.
Keep Sleeve Counts Consistent
The sleeves should have matching stitch counts and lengths. Record your stitch count after the first sleeve round and use that number when making the second sleeve.
Make the Face Friendly
You can change the shape of the felt eyes and mouth to create different ghost expressions. Rounded eyes create a cute look, while larger oval eyes can make the costume look more playful.
Secure Everything Carefully
This is especially important for baby costumes. Decorations and closures should never be left loose.
Care Instructions
Always follow the washing instructions recommended for your specific yarn.
For plush polyester yarn, gentle handling is recommended:
- Wash gently according to the yarn label.
- Avoid excessive heat.
- Do not aggressively wring the garment.
- Reshape while damp.
- Allow the costume to dry thoroughly before storage.
If the costume contains glued felt, inspect the decorations after washing to make sure they remain securely attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size baby does this crochet ghost costume fit?
The original measurements are designed for a newborn to approximately 12 pounds, with a gown length of about 23 inches.
What yarn is best for a baby ghost costume?
A soft plush yarn such as Bernat Velvet creates the cozy texture associated with this design. A comparable yarn can be substituted as long as the gauge and finished measurements are checked.
Can I make the costume larger?
Yes. You can adjust the starting chain, shoulder section, gown length, sleeve length, and hat circumference according to the baby's measurements. Making a gauge swatch first will make adjustments easier.
Is the wrist ribbing required?
No. The wrist ribbing is an optional design feature. The sleeves can be finished without the additional ribbed cuff if you prefer a simpler look.
How do I make the costume easier to put on?
The back opening and Velcro closure are designed to make dressing easier. Make sure the opening is large enough for comfortable dressing without stretching the fabric excessively.
Can I use regular yarn instead of velvet yarn?
Yes, but the appearance and measurements will change depending on yarn weight and tension. Always check your gauge when substituting yarn.
Can the ghost face be crocheted instead of made from felt?
Yes. Crocheted eyes and a mouth can be substituted if you prefer an entirely yarn-based costume. However, they should be attached very securely for baby use.
Final Thoughts
This Crochet Baby Ghost Halloween Costume is a fun way to create a warm and memorable handmade Halloween outfit. The oversized white gown, gathered bottom, cozy sleeves, matching hat, and simple black ghost face come together to create an adorable—not-so-scary—Halloween look.
The pattern can also be customized with different sleeve lengths, hat measurements, facial expressions, and finishing details, making it a versatile project for handmade baby costumes and Halloween photo sessions.
For the safest result, always prioritize a comfortable fit and securely attached decorations, especially when the costume is being worn by a baby.