A festive set of three long crochet hanging ornaments: a snowman with top hat and scarf, Santa with a full textured beard, and a decorated Christmas tree topped with a gold star. Each topper sits above a dramatic spiral strip and finishes with a small crochet ornament at the bottom.
The three pieces are designed as a coordinated window, branch or mantel display. They use the same basic spiral construction, but each character has its own colours and finishing details.
Finished length is approximately 40 to 50 cm each, depending on yarn, hook size and how open you shape the spiral.
What you’ll need
DK or light worsted cotton yarn in:
White
Red
Black
Dark green
Gold or mustard
Small amounts of orange, skin tone or peach, and cream
A 3 mm to 3.5 mm crochet hook.
You’ll also need polyester fibrefill, a tapestry needle, scissors, 6 to 8 mm safety eyes or black embroidery thread, three small wooden beads for the hanging cords, and optional 0.8 mm florist wire for the spirals.
Abbreviations are US terms. ch is chain, sl st is slip stitch, sc is single crochet, hdc is half double crochet, dc is double crochet, inc is two stitches in one, dec is an invisible decrease, MR is magic ring.
Shared spiral construction
Make one spiral for each character.
Ch 82 loosely.
Row 1. Starting in the third chain from the hook, work 2 dc in every chain across.
Row 2. Ch 1, turn, and sc in every stitch across.
For a thicker spiral, work one extra row of sc.
The strip should curl naturally. Twist it gently into an open spiral with turns about 4 to 5 cm apart.
For a very defined shape, thread florist wire through the inside edge after crocheting. Fold both wire ends inward securely before shaping.
Snowman spiral colours
Work the main spiral in white.
After Row 2, join red and work a narrow surface slip-stitch line along the outer edge, or work the last edging round in red.
This gives the white-and-red candy stripe effect visible in the reference.
Santa spiral colours
Work the main spiral in red.
Add a white edge with a final row of sc or surface slip stitch.
Keep the white stripe narrow so red remains the dominant colour.
Christmas tree spiral colours
Work the main spiral in dark green.
Add a narrow gold edge with surface slip stitch or one row of sc.
Shape this spiral slightly tighter than the snowman spiral so it feels visually heavier and balances the tree topper.
Character 1. Snowman head
In white:
Round 1. 6 sc in MR. (6)
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Round 4. 2 sc, inc around. (24)
Round 5. 3 sc, inc around. (30)
Rounds 6 to 11. Sc around. (30)
Place eyes between rounds 7 and 8, about 7 stitches apart.
Round 12. 3 sc, dec around. (24)
Round 13. 2 sc, dec around. (18)
Round 14. Sc, dec around. (12). Stuff firmly.
Round 15. Dec around. Close.
Snowman nose
With orange yarn:
Round 1. 4 sc in MR.
Round 2. Sc around.
Round 3. Sc, inc, sc, inc. (6)
Round 4. Sc around.
Fasten off and sew to the centre of the face.
Embroider a curved black smile beneath the nose.
Snowman top hat
In black:
Top:
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Sides:
Rounds 4 to 8. Sc around in back loop only on Round 4, then both loops.
Brim:
Round 9. Front loop only, sc, inc around.
Round 10. Sc around.
Add a narrow red band around the base of the crown.
Sew the hat to the snowman head.
Snowman scarf
Ch 62 in red.
Row 1. Hdc in third chain from hook and across.
Rows 2 and 3. Ch 2, turn, hdc across.
Add short fringe to both ends.
Wrap around the lower head and let both ends hang to one side.
Snowman bottom ball
In white:
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Rounds 4 to 6. Sc around.
Round 7. Sc, dec around. (12). Stuff.
Round 8. Dec around. Close.
Attach to the bottom of the spiral with a short loop.
Character 2. Santa head
Begin in a light peach or skin-tone yarn.
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Round 4. 2 sc, inc around. (24)
Round 5. 3 sc, inc around. (30)
Rounds 6 to 10. Sc around. (30)
Place eyes between rounds 7 and 8.
Round 11. 3 sc, dec around. (24)
Round 12. 2 sc, dec around. (18)
Round 13. Sc, dec around. (12). Stuff.
Round 14. Dec around. Close.
Santa nose
Make a tiny peach ball.
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Sc around.
Fasten off and sew between and slightly below the eyes.
Santa moustache
Make two in white.
Ch 7.
Starting in second chain, work sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc.
Fasten off.
Sew the two pieces beneath the nose with the rounded ends pointing outward.
Santa beard
The beard is made from layered small shell or loop motifs.
Join white yarn below one side of the moustache.
Work several short rows of overlapping shells:
*sl st, ch 4, 3 dc in next stitch, ch 2, sl st in next stitch.*
Continue across the lower face.
For the second and third beard rows, work into spaces between the shells so each row hangs slightly lower.
Build the beard into a rounded triangle, keeping it full at the cheeks and narrower at the bottom.
Santa hat
In red:
Round 1. 5 sc in MR.
Round 2. Sc around.
Round 3. Sc, inc, repeat. (7)
Round 4. Sc around.
Round 5. 2 sc, inc, repeat.
Continue increasing gradually until the opening fits the head.
Work 3 to 4 rounds even.
For the white brim, join white and work 3 rounds of sc around.
Make a white pompom or small stuffed ball and attach to the tip.
Sew the hat to the head with the tip bent to one side.
Santa body band
At the lower edge of the head, crochet or sew on a short red band to suggest the coat.
Add a black belt stripe and a small gold buckle.
A simple buckle can be embroidered as a square with gold yarn.
Santa bottom bell
In gold:
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Rounds 3 and 4. Sc around.
Round 5. Sc, inc around. (18)
Round 6. Sc around.
Round 7. 2 sc, inc around. (24)
Fasten off.
Add a tiny gold or brown clapper underneath.
Attach the bell to the bottom of the spiral.
Character 3. Christmas tree topper
The tree is worked from the top downward in stacked textured tiers.
Start with dark green.
Round 1. 4 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (8)
Round 3. Sc around.
Round 4. Sc, inc around. (12)
Round 5. Sc around.
First tree tier
Work in front loops only:
*sl st, ch 3, 3 dc in next stitch, ch 2, sl st in next stitch.*
Repeat around.
This creates the first ruffled branch layer.
Second tree section
Return to the unused back loops beneath the first tier.
Work 2 to 3 rounds of sc, increasing evenly until the section reaches about 18 stitches.
Make another ruffled tier in the front loops.
Third tree section
Continue from the back loops again.
Increase gradually to about 24 stitches.
Work a third ruffled tier.
Fourth tree section
Continue to around 30 stitches and make the widest ruffled branch tier.
Stuff the tree lightly as you work, keeping it conical rather than round.
Close the base with a flat circle or decrease gradually.
Tree ornaments
Make tiny red and gold bobbles.
For each bobble:
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Sc around.
Fasten off and sew to the ruffled branches.
Distribute the colours unevenly for a natural decorated-tree look.
Gold star
In gold:
Round 1. 10 sc in MR.
For each point:
Sl st in next stitch, ch 5.
Starting in second chain, work sc, hdc, dc, tr.
Sl st into the next base stitch.
Repeat five times.
For a thicker star, make two identical pieces and join them with sc.
Sew the star to the top of the tree.
Tree bottom bauble
Make one red ball.
Round 1. 6 sc in MR.
Round 2. Inc around. (12)
Round 3. Sc, inc around. (18)
Rounds 4 to 6. Sc around.
Round 7. Sc, dec around. (12). Stuff.
Round 8. Dec around. Close.
Attach to the bottom of the spiral.
Hanging loops
For each ornament, cut a strong doubled cord or crochet a loop.
To crochet the loop:
Ch 42 to 50.
Slip stitch back along the chain for extra strength.
Thread the loop through a wooden bead and attach it securely to the topper.
The bead should sit directly above the character and help keep the hanging line straight.
Assembly
Sew each character topper firmly to the upper end of its spiral.
The head or tree should overlap the first turn slightly so the join is hidden.
Attach the bottom ball or bell to the final turn with a short loop.
Shape all three spirals so they hang at approximately the same finished length.
Hang the snowman, Santa and tree with enough space between them that the spirals can move without touching.
Display ideas
Hang the trio in front of a winter window.
Use them on a branch over a mantel.
Make several sets and alternate them across a long curtain rail.
For a child-safe version, embroider all eyes and omit wooden beads, wire and hard plastic pieces.
Colour variations
For a Scandinavian version, use red, cream and natural beige.
For a snowy blue version, replace red accents with navy and icy blue.
For a luxury version, use deep green, burgundy, cream and metallic gold thread.
Questions I get asked
Can I make the spirals without wire?
Yes. The doubled-dc construction curls naturally. Wire is only needed if you want very even, widely spaced turns.
Can I use acrylic yarn?
Yes, but cotton gives the spirals more definition and helps the characters hold their shape.
How long does each ornament take?
Allow around 3 to 5 hours per ornament depending on the amount of facial and decorative detail.
Can I make only one of the three?
Absolutely. Each piece works independently, although the trio has the strongest visual effect when displayed together.
How do I stop the spiral from twisting sideways?
Block it lightly, then shape it around a bottle or tube while damp. If necessary, add fine florist wire along the inner edge.