A coordinated set of three Nordic-inspired Christmas hangings: a reindeer, a Christmas tree and a Santa head sit above long patterned spiral ribbons. Wooden bead accents run down the center and clusters of jingle bells finish the bottoms.
Finished size: approximately 45 to 60 cm long each, depending on yarn, hook and blocking.
What you’ll need
DK cotton or acrylic
3 to 3.5 mm hook
wooden beads
small metal jingle bells
light stuffing
tapestry needle
Suggested colors
cream
lavender
sage green
dark green
brown
white
Abbreviations
US terms: ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, MR = magic ring, st = stitch, inc = increase, dec = decrease.
Construction overview
Make one character topper per hanging.
Crochet a wide spiral ribbon with small colorwork or surface-embroidered motifs.
Thread wooden beads down a central cord.
Wrap the spiral around the beaded cord and tack in place.
Attach a cluster of bells at the bottom.
Reindeer topper
Crochet a small tan head with ears and short antlers. Add a contrasting muzzle, red or brown nose, and a small scarf or hat.
Tree topper
Work a small cone with tiered scallop rounds. Add tiny white bobbles or beads and finish with a star.
Santa topper
Make a round face with a textured white beard and a green-and-white or red-and-white hat. Add a long scarf if desired.
Patterned ribbon
Work a 5 to 7 cm wide strip in cream. Add lavender or green snowflake-like surface embroidery at intervals. Increase along one edge every few stitches so the strip naturally spirals.
Beaded center
Thread wooden beads on a strong yarn or cord. Leave enough spacing for the spiral to pass around the cord without being crushed.
Bell cluster
Tie 3 to 5 small bells beneath the spiral and secure tightly.
Assembly and shaping tips
Lay all pieces out before sewing. Use matching yarn and catch only the back loops where possible so joins stay discreet. For spirals, shape the piece while slightly damp and allow it to dry in position. If the ornament will hang vertically, add a strong central cord or hidden thread so the crochet does not stretch over time. Keep beads and metal charms lightweight and sew them on securely.
Blocking
Lightly damp-block flat pieces before final assembly. For three-dimensional spirals, avoid flattening them. Instead, shape each turn with your fingers and let the ornament dry while hanging or supported around a smooth cylinder. Do not apply high heat to acrylic yarn.
Colour variations
Use natural wood and muted earth tones for a Scandinavian look.
Replace bells with pom-poms for a child-friendly version.
Use matching hat/scarf colors across all three characters.
Questions I get asked
Can I make it longer or shorter? Yes. Adjust the starting chain or the length of the ribbon/spiral before assembly.
Can I use acrylic yarn? Yes. Acrylic is light and practical for hanging decorations. Cotton gives crisper stitch definition.
Do I need wire? No. Most versions can be stabilized with a strong central yarn or nylon thread. Wire is optional for very sculptural shaping.
Can I make a child-safe version? Yes. Replace beads, bells and safety eyes with embroidered details and crocheted bobbles.
Pattern note
| This is a visual recreation guide based on the reference image, not a transcription of an original designer pattern. Exact stitch counts may need adjustment for your yarn, tension and preferred finished size. Make a small test section first, especially for the spiral shaping. |