This little Christmas tree is one crochet spiral that is wide at the bottom and narrow at the top, so it hangs in the shape of a tree. The trick is simple: you start with tall treble stitches and change to shorter stitches as you go, which makes the curls smaller toward the top. Decorate it with white pearls and gold beads, add a star, and hang it on the tree or in a window.
Pattern details
- Skill level: easy to intermediate
- Finished size: about 12–15 cm tall and 6–7 cm wide at the bottom, depending on yarn and tension
- Yarn: medium-weight (worsted) yarn in green
- Hook: 4 mm, or the size recommended for your yarn
- Terminology: US crochet terms
Materials
- Green medium-weight yarn
- Gold yarn for the star (optional)
- Crochet hook, 4 mm
- Tapestry needle and scissors
- Small white pearl beads
- Small gold beads or tiny bells
- A sewing needle and thin transparent or green thread for the beads
- A small gold star charm (optional, instead of the crochet star)
- A small paper cone and wooden base (optional, for a standing tree)
Abbreviations
- MR: magic ring
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- FO: fasten off
How the tree shape works
Working 3 stitches into every chain makes the strip twist into a corkscrew. Tall stitches make a wide strip with big curls, and short stitches make a narrow strip with small curls. By moving from treble crochet to single crochet, the spiral gets smaller from the bottom to the top, just like a Christmas tree.
Instructions
Spiral tree
Use green yarn.
- Foundation: ch 62.
- Bottom section: work 3 tr in the 5th ch from the hook, then 3 tr in each of the next 14 ch. (15 ch worked)
- Lower middle section: work 3 dc in each of the next 15 ch.
- Upper middle section: work 3 hdc in each of the next 14 ch.
- Top section: work 3 sc in each of the last 14 ch.
FO, leaving a tail of about 20 cm at the top end. The strip will twist into a spiral as you work; let it curl and do not straighten it.
For a larger tree, use chunky yarn and a 6 mm hook. For a fuller tree, work 4 stitches into each chain instead of 3.
Star topper (optional)
Use gold yarn.
- Round 1: make a MR, ch 1, work 10 sc into the ring and join with a sl st. (10)
- Round 2 (points): *ch 4, sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook, sc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, skip 1 st on the circle, sl st in the next st*; repeat from * 4 more times. (5 points) FO.
Hanging loop
With green or gold yarn, ch 20, join with a sl st to form a loop and sew it to the top of the tree behind the star.
Shaping the tree
- Hold the tree by the top (single crochet) end and let the spiral hang freely.
- The small curls should sit at the top and the large curls at the bottom. Rotate the spiral gently in the direction of the curl until the turns are evenly spaced.
- If the curls slide into each other, thread a strong green thread down through the center of the spiral and tack it to each turn with a small stitch. This holds the tree shape.
- Do not pull the spiral tight. The open spaces between the turns are part of the design.
Decorating
- Sew small white pearl beads along the outer edge of the spiral.
- Add small gold beads or tiny bells between the pearls.
- Place the decorations irregularly, so they look like baubles on a real tree.
- Sew the star to the top of the tree.
- Make sure every bead is stitched on firmly.
For a more traditional look, you can also add tiny red beads, silver beads, small snowflakes or miniature bells.
Standing tree variation
To make a tree that stands up, wind the spiral around a small paper cone, stitching it to the cone at a few points. Sew or glue the bottom of the cone to a small wooden base.
Finishing
Check the tree carefully, trim any loose yarn ends and adjust the curls with your fingers until you like the shape. Make sure all beads and the star are securely attached.
Safety note
Beads and bells are small parts that can be a choking hazard. This tree is a decoration, not a toy.
You can make a whole forest of these trees in different shades of green, white or even gold, and use them as ornaments, table decorations, gift toppers or a festive shelf display.