This pattern creates four Christmas tree ornaments inspired by the reference image: Santa, Snowman, Gingerbread Man, and Elf.
Each ornament is made from a crocheted character attached to a long spiral body with a hanging loop.
Materials
Worsted weight or DK yarn
Red yarn
White yarn
Green yarn
Brown yarn
Peach or skin-tone yarn
Black yarn
Orange yarn
Gold or yellow yarn
2.5 mm or 3 mm crochet hook
6 mm safety eyes
Polyester fiberfill
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Stitch marker
Small buttons
Optional small bells
Strong yarn or matching yarn for the hanging loop
Abbreviations
MR: magic ring
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
sl st: slip stitch
inc: increase
dec: decrease
BLO: back loop only
FO: fasten off
Basic Spiral Body
The spiral body is worked from the upper section downward.
The spiral should remain lightly stuffed so that it keeps its long curved shape.
Use the main color of the character.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc into MR
Round 2: inc in each stitch around, 12 sc
Round 3: sc in each stitch around, 12 sc
Round 4: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 5: sc in each stitch around, 18 sc
Round 6: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Round 7: sc in each stitch around, 24 sc
Round 8: (3 sc, inc) around, 30 sc
Round 9: sc in each stitch around, 30 sc
Round 10: (4 sc, inc) around, 36 sc
Round 11: sc in each stitch around, 36 sc
Round 12: (5 sc, inc) around, 42 sc
Round 13: sc in each stitch around, 42 sc
Round 14: (6 sc, inc) around, 48 sc
Round 15: sc in each stitch around, 48 sc
Continue working sc rounds until the spiral reaches approximately 18 to 22 cm.
For a longer ornament, continue additional rounds.
For a shorter ornament, stop earlier.
Begin decreasing toward the bottom.
Next round: (6 sc, dec) around
Next round: sc around
Next round: (5 sc, dec) around
Next round: sc around
Stuff very lightly.
Next round: (4 sc, dec) around
Next round: (3 sc, dec) around
Next round: (2 sc, dec) around
Next round: dec around
FO
Close the opening securely.
Shape the piece gently into a spiral.
Hanging Loop
Attach matching yarn to the top of the head or hat.
Ch 25
Sl st into the same stitch.
Work sl st over the chain if a thicker loop is desired.
FO
Sew the ends securely into the head.
The loop should be approximately 8 to 10 cm long.
Santa Ornament
Santa Head
Use peach yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around, 30 sc
Rounds 6 to 10: sc around, 30 sc
Round 11: (3 sc, dec) around, 24 sc
Round 12: (2 sc, dec) around, 18 sc
Stuff firmly.
Round 13: (sc, dec) around, 12 sc
Round 14: dec around, 6 sc
FO
Close the opening.
Place two black safety eyes between Rounds 7 and 8.
The eyes should be approximately 5 to 6 stitches apart.
Embroider a small nose using peach or pink yarn.
Add small pink cheeks.
Santa Beard
Use white yarn.
Attach yarn beneath the nose.
Ch 7
Sl st into the same area.
Repeat several times to create individual beard curls.
Make approximately 10 to 14 curls.
Add shorter curls around the cheeks.
Add longer curls beneath the mouth.
Secure the ends behind the head.
The beard should cover the lower half of the face.
Santa Mustache
Use white yarn.
Ch 5
Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 4 sc.
FO
Make a second piece.
Sew both pieces beneath the nose.
Curve the ends slightly upward.
Santa Hat
Use red yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: sc around, 12 sc
Round 4: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 5: sc around, 18 sc
Round 6: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Round 7: sc around, 24 sc
Round 8: (3 sc, inc) around, 30 sc
Round 9: sc around, 30 sc
Continue increasing until the opening fits comfortably over the head.
Continue sc rounds without increasing to create the pointed hat.
Begin decreasing slightly near the tip.
Stuff the very tip lightly.
Close the tip.
Switch to white yarn.
Work 2 or 3 rounds of sc around the lower edge.
FO
Add a small white pom-pom to the tip.
Sew the hat securely to the head.
Santa Arms
Make two arms.
Use red yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Rounds 2 to 10: sc around
Change to white yarn.
Rounds 11 to 14: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close the opening.
Sew the arms to both sides of the upper body.
Santa Mittens
Use white yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 and 4: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close and sew to the end of each arm.
Santa Belt
Use black yarn.
Ch enough stitches to fit around the upper body.
Join with a sl st.
Work 2 to 3 rounds of sc.
Add a small gold or yellow buckle to the front.
Sew the belt securely around the body.
Santa Legs
Make two.
Use red yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 to 7: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close and sew underneath the body.
Use white yarn to add a small cuff above each boot.
Santa Boots
Use red yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 to 5: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Sew the boots to the legs.
Add white yarn around the top of each boot.
Santa Spiral
Use red yarn.
Work the Basic Spiral Body.
Add white yarn as a continuous spiral stripe.
Add a thin green stripe between selected red and white sections if desired.
Sew the upper end of the spiral beneath the Santa body.
Attach the legs at the upper end of the spiral.
Snowman Ornament
Snowman Head
Use white yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around, 30 sc
Rounds 6 to 10: sc around
Round 11: (3 sc, dec) around, 24 sc
Round 12: (2 sc, dec) around, 18 sc
Stuff firmly.
Round 13: (sc, dec) around, 12 sc
Round 14: dec around
FO
Close the opening.
Attach two black safety eyes.
Embroider a curved smiling mouth.
Snowman Carrot Nose
Use orange yarn.
MR
Round 1: 4 sc
Round 2: sc around
Round 3: (sc, inc) around
Round 4: sc around
Round 5: dec around
FO
Sew the nose between the eyes.
Shape the point outward.
Snowman Cheeks
Use pink yarn.
Make two small embroidered circles.
Place one beneath each eye.
Snowman Hat
Use black yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Rounds 5 to 8: sc around
Switch to black or dark green yarn for the brim.
Work 2 rounds of sc.
Add a red and green band around the hat.
Sew the hat to the head.
Snowman Scarf
Use green yarn.
Ch 50
Row 1: sc across
Row 2: sc across
Change to red yarn.
Row 3: sc across
Change to green yarn.
Row 4: sc across
Continue alternating red and green until the scarf reaches approximately 3 cm wide.
Add small fringe to both ends.
Wrap around the neck.
Sew in place.
Snowman Buttons
Sew three red buttons vertically down the front of the snowman.
Leave approximately 1.5 to 2 cm between the buttons.
Snowman Arms
Make two.
Use brown yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Rounds 2 to 10: sc around
FO
Do not stuff heavily.
Sew one arm to each side of the body.
Add small white mitten sections if desired.
Snowman Spiral
Use white yarn.
Work the Basic Spiral Body.
Change between white, red, and green yarn to create the striped effect.
Keep the white sections slightly wider than the red and green stripes.
Attach the spiral underneath the snowman.
Gingerbread Man Ornament
Gingerbread Head
Use brown yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around, 30 sc
Rounds 6 to 9: sc around
Round 10: (3 sc, dec) around, 24 sc
Round 11: (2 sc, dec) around, 18 sc
Stuff firmly.
Round 12: (sc, dec) around, 12 sc
Round 13: dec around
FO
Close the opening.
Gingerbread Face
Attach two black safety eyes.
Embroider a smiling mouth.
Add pink cheeks.
Use black or dark brown yarn for small facial details.
Gingerbread Icing
Use white yarn.
Create a chain approximately 15 to 20 stitches long.
Sew the chain across the forehead in a zigzag shape.
Add white icing around the sides of the face.
Add small white lines above the eyes if desired.
Gingerbread Body
Use brown yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Rounds 5 to 10: sc around
Round 11: (2 sc, dec) around, 18 sc
Round 12: (sc, dec) around, 12 sc
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close the opening.
Gingerbread Buttons
Sew three small buttons vertically down the front.
Use red, green, and red.
Alternatively use green, red, and green.
Gingerbread Arms
Make two.
Use brown yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Rounds 2 to 10: sc around
FO
Stuff very lightly.
Add white icing around the cuffs.
Sew the arms to the body.
Gingerbread Legs
Make two.
Use brown yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 to 8: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close.
Sew to the bottom of the body.
Add white icing around the ankles.
Gingerbread Feet
Use brown yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 and 4: sc around
Round 5: dec around
FO
Stuff lightly.
Sew to the legs.
Add white icing along the front edge.
Gingerbread Spiral
Use brown yarn.
Work the Basic Spiral Body.
Add white yarn in a continuous zigzag pattern.
The icing can be embroidered after the spiral is finished.
Make the white decoration approximately every 2 to 3 cm.
Attach the spiral beneath the gingerbread body.
Elf Ornament
Elf Head
Use peach yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) around, 30 sc
Rounds 6 to 10: sc around
Round 11: (3 sc, dec) around, 24 sc
Round 12: (2 sc, dec) around, 18 sc
Stuff firmly.
Round 13: (sc, dec) around, 12 sc
Round 14: dec around
FO
Close the opening.
Attach two black safety eyes.
Embroider a smiling mouth.
Add pink cheeks.
Elf Ears
Make two.
Use peach yarn.
Ch 7
Starting in the second chain from the hook:
sc
hdc
dc
hdc
sc
FO
Fold the ear slightly.
Sew one ear to each side of the head.
Point the ears slightly upward.
Elf Hat
Use green yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Round 3: sc around, 12 sc
Round 4: (sc, inc) around, 18 sc
Round 5: sc around, 18 sc
Round 6: (2 sc, inc) around, 24 sc
Continue increasing gradually until the base fits the head.
Continue working sc without increases to create a long pointed hat.
Change to red yarn every 2 or 3 rounds.
Return to green yarn.
Continue until the desired length is reached.
Finish with a small green or red pom-pom.
Sew the hat securely to the head.
Elf Collar
Use green yarn.
Ch 30
Join with sl st.
Work sc around.
For the pointed collar, work:
sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc
Repeat around the collar.
FO
Add red embroidery between the points.
Sew around the neck.
Elf Arms
Make two.
Use green yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Rounds 2 to 10: sc around
Change to peach yarn.
Rounds 11 to 14: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close and sew to the sides of the body.
Elf Hands
Use peach yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 and 4: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close.
Sew to the ends of the arms.
Elf Belt
Use black yarn.
Ch enough stitches to fit around the body.
Join with sl st.
Work 2 rounds of sc.
Add a gold or yellow buckle.
Sew around the body.
Elf Legs
Make two.
Use green yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 to 10: sc around
Stuff lightly.
FO
Close.
Sew beneath the body.
Elf Shoes
Use green yarn.
MR
Round 1: 6 sc
Round 2: inc around, 12 sc
Rounds 3 to 6: sc around
Add increases toward the front.
Continue working several stitches beyond the main foot section.
Bend the tip upward.
FO
Sew securely to the legs.
Add red stripes or small red cuffs.
Attach a small bell to the tip if desired.
Elf Spiral
Use green yarn.
Work the Basic Spiral Body.
Change to red yarn every 2 to 4 rounds.
Continue alternating green and red until the desired length is reached.
Add a white decorative edge if desired.
Attach the upper end beneath the elf body.
Final Assembly
Place the head securely on top of the body.
Sew the head to the upper section of the spiral.
Attach both arms evenly.
Attach the legs to the upper part of the spiral.
Check that the character is centered.
Add the hat.
Attach the hanging loop through the top of the hat or head.
Hide all yarn tails inside the ornament.
Shape the spiral by gently wrapping it around a cylindrical object.
Leave it in position for several minutes.
Remove the object and adjust the curl by hand.
Size Adjustment
For a shorter ornament, stop the spiral approximately 5 to 8 rounds earlier.
For a longer ornament, continue the sc rounds before beginning the decreases.
For a thinner spiral, use a smaller hook and lighter yarn.
For a thicker spiral, use a larger hook and heavier yarn.
Keep the spiral lightly stuffed to maintain the curved shape.
Color Combinations
Santa
Red
White
Peach
Black
Gold
Green
Snowman
White
Red
Green
Black
Orange
Pink
Gingerbread Man
Brown
White
Red
Green
Pink
Black
Elf
Green
Red
White
Peach
Black
Gold
Finishing
Check all safety eyes and sewn decorations before hanging the ornament.
Secure every arm, leg, hat, button, and hanging loop firmly.
Trim loose yarn ends.
Do not overstuff the spiral.
Keep the spiral flexible so it can maintain its natural corkscrew shape.
The finished ornaments can be made in matching lengths and displayed together as a coordinated Christmas tree decoration set.