Turn a simple crochet spiral into a cheerful hanging snowman ornament with a soft amigurumi-style head, festive hat, scarf, snowflake details, beads, and a weighted ball at the bottom. The three ornaments in the reference photo use the same basic construction with small color and embellishment changes, making this a flexible Christmas project for windows, mantels, doorways, market displays, or handmade gifts.
Project Overview
This design is built in separate components: a round snowman head, a fitted winter hat with pom-pom, a narrow scarf, a long white spiral body, decorative snowflakes or tree charms, bead connectors, and a crocheted ball at the bottom. The finished ornament hangs vertically and moves slightly when touched or when air passes through the room.
Suggested Finished Size
• Overall length: about 48-60 cm (19-24 in), including hanging loop and bottom ball.
• Snowman head: about 7-8 cm (2.75-3.25 in) diameter.
• Spiral body: about 30-38 cm (12-15 in) long after curling.
• Bottom ball: about 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) diameter.
• Size is easy to adjust by changing the foundation-chain length and yarn weight.
Materials
• Yarn for the snowman: DK or light worsted yarn in white, approximately 45-60 g per ornament.
• Contrast yarn: red, forest green, or a red/green combination for hat and scarf, approximately 20-30 g per ornament.
• Optional accent yarn: small amounts of cream, metallic gold, or darker green for embroidered details and charms.
• Crochet hook: 3.0-3.5 mm for the head and bottom ball; 3.5-4.0 mm for the spiral if you want a softer curl.
• Polyester fiberfill for the head and bottom ball.
• Safety eyes: 8-10 mm black eyes, or black embroidery thread if you prefer stitched eyes.
• Orange yarn or embroidery floss for the carrot nose.
• Black embroidery thread for the smile and eyebrows.
• Pink embroidery floss, blush, or textile-safe chalk for optional cheeks.
• Wooden or acrylic beads: 10-14 mm for the top connector and smaller 6-10 mm beads between spiral sections.
• Strong cotton cord, jute twine, or braided yarn for the hanging loop.
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, pins, and optional fabric glue for non-structural decorations.
• Optional decorations: small snowflake appliques, miniature Christmas-tree buttons or charms, wooden stars, holly leaves, red berry beads, and tiny bells.
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)
ch = chain | sl st = slip stitch | sc = single crochet | hdc = half double crochet | dc = double crochet | inc = 2 sc in the same stitch | dec = invisible single-crochet decrease | BLO = back loop only | st/sts = stitch/stitches | rnd = round
Important Pattern Note
This is a practical photo-inspired reconstruction, not the original designer’s exact pattern. The reference image does not reveal the hidden stitch counts, joins, or internal support, so the instructions below are designed to reproduce the same look while staying workable and adjustable.
Part 1 – Crochet the Snowman Head
Use white yarn and the smaller hook. Work in a continuous spiral unless stated otherwise.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6. (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6. (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x 6. (36)
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x 6. (42)
Rnds 8-13: sc in each st around. (42 each round)
Rnd 14: [5 sc, dec] x 6. (36)
Rnd 15: [4 sc, dec] x 6. (30)
Rnd 16: [3 sc, dec] x 6. (24)
Insert the eyes between Rnds 9 and 10, about 7-8 stitches apart. Embroider the small carrot nose at the center, then add a curved smile with black thread. Add a tiny eyebrow or eyelash detail if desired. Stuff firmly but keep the front smooth.
Rnd 17: [2 sc, dec] x 6. (18)
Rnd 18: [sc, dec] x 6. (12)
Rnd 19: dec around. (6)
Fasten off, close the opening, and weave in the end. If using blush, apply it very lightly after the face is finished.
Optional Crocheted Carrot Nose
With orange yarn, ch 4. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work sl st, sc, hdc. Fasten off with a long tail and sew the tiny triangle to the face. For a more three-dimensional nose, use a small cone: 4 sc in a magic ring, work one even round, then close and sew on.
Part 2 – Crochet the Winter Hat
The hat should fit snugly over the top third of the head. Use red, green, or alternating stripes.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6. (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6. (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x 6. (36)
Rnds 7-9: sc around. Change colors every round for a striped hat if desired.
Rnd 10: Work 36 sc in BLO to create a fold line.
Rnds 11-12: sc around, then fasten off leaving a sewing tail.
Fold the brim slightly upward and tack it in place at the sides. Sew the hat to the snowman head around the back and sides, leaving the front brim natural. Add a small holly leaf, berry cluster, snowflake applique, or wooden star if desired.
Pom-Pom
Wrap yarn around two fingers 50-70 times, tie tightly through the center, cut the loops, and trim into a 4-5 cm pom-pom. For a crocheted pom-pom, make a small stuffed sphere using 6 sc in a magic ring, increase to 18 stitches, work two even rounds, then decrease and stuff. Sew securely to the top of the hat.
Part 3 – Crochet the Scarf
Ch 55-65, depending on how long you want the ends. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work hdc across. Turn, ch 1, and work one more row of hdc. Fasten off. For a striped scarf, change color every row or every 6-8 stitches. Add 4-5 cm fringe to both ends. Wrap the scarf around the neck once and sew it discreetly at the back so it cannot slide down.
Part 4 – Make the Long White Spiral Body
This is the key construction that creates the hanging corkscrew shape.
Step 1 – Foundation: With white yarn and a 3.5-4.0 mm hook, ch 95 for a medium ornament. Use 80 chains for a shorter ornament or 110-120 chains for a longer one.
Step 2 – First curl row: Starting in the 4th chain from the hook, work 3 dc in every chain to the end. The strip will curl automatically. Do not fight the twist.
Step 3 – Add thickness: For a fuller, ribbon-like spiral, work one round of sc evenly along the outer edge. If you want the body flatter and more open, skip this round.
Step 4 – Shape: Hold the top and let the strip hang. Gently turn the lower end in the same direction as the natural curl so the coils become evenly spaced.
Alternative wider spiral: chain 90, then work 2 dc in the first chain, 3 dc in the next chain, repeating [2 dc, 3 dc] across. This gives a slightly looser spiral with broader turns.
Part 5 – Small Snowflake Appliques
Make 4-6 small snowflakes in red or green and sew them along the outside of the white spiral.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring, join with sl st. Rnd 2: *ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in next sc of ring*; repeat 6 times. Fasten off and block lightly. Sew each snowflake at two points so it lies flat against the spiral.
Optional Mini Christmas Tree Charm
Ch 8. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Row 2: ch 1, dec, sc across to last 2 sts, dec. Repeat decreasing at both ends until 1-2 stitches remain. Add a short brown trunk with 2-3 sc, decorate with tiny French knots or bead ornaments, and sew or hang the tree between spiral turns.
Part 6 – Crochet the Bottom Ball
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6. (24)
Rnds 5-7: sc around. (24)
Rnd 8: [2 sc, dec] x 6. (18)
Rnd 9: [sc, dec] x 6. (12)
Stuff firmly. Rnd 10: dec around. (6). Fasten off and close. Make the ball red, green, or white to match your version. Embroider a large snowflake on the white ball if desired.
Part 7 – Assemble the Ornament
1. Prepare the hanging loop: Cut 35-45 cm of strong cord or jute. Fold it in half and pass both ends through a 10-14 mm wooden bead. Tie a secure knot below the bead.
2. Attach the head: Sew the cord knot or a crocheted connector firmly into the top of the hat/head assembly. Reinforce with several passes through dense stitches.
3. Join the spiral: Sew the top end of the white spiral to the lower back of the head, just below the scarf. The spiral should begin directly under the snowman and hang in the center.
4. Add beads between sections: Thread decorative red, green, or pearl beads onto a strong yarn strand and tack them between selected spiral turns. Keep them light enough that they do not stretch the crochet.
5. Add appliques: Sew snowflakes, tree charms, or stars at alternating positions. Space decorations rather than crowding every turn.
6. Attach the bottom ball: Run a strong yarn tail through the lower end of the spiral and through the center of the ball. Knot securely inside or pass through the ball several times before fastening off.
7. Balance the ornament: Hang the piece from its loop. If the snowman turns sideways, shift the spiral attachment point slightly or add one extra stitch at the back of the head until the face hangs forward.
Three Color Variations from the Reference Style
Red and Green Snowman: Striped red/green hat, matching striped scarf, red snowflake appliques, red bead connectors, and a red bottom ball.
Classic Red Snowman: Solid red hat with white pom-pom, red scarf, white snowflake decoration on the hat, green beads, mini Christmas-tree charms, and a green bottom ball.
Green Holiday Snowman: Green hat with red/white fair-isle-style accents, green/red scarf, red bead connectors, alternating red and green snowflake embroidery, and a white bottom ball with a large red snowflake.
Gauge, Tension, and Sizing
Exact gauge is not critical, but the head and ball should be crocheted tightly enough that stuffing does not show. If gaps appear, use a hook 0.5 mm smaller. The spiral should be slightly softer; if it is too stiff, use a hook 0.5 mm larger. To change the overall length, add or remove foundation chains in multiples of 10. Always allow the spiral to relax for 10-15 minutes before measuring.
Finishing Tips
• Weave in all ends through several dense stitches and trim close.
• Do not heavily block the main spiral; too much moisture or stretching can reduce the curl.
• Lightly steam-block small snowflakes and tree appliques separately before attaching them.
• Keep the scarf and hat securely stitched to the head so they do not rotate when the ornament moves.
• If the spiral stretches after hanging for several days, shorten it by removing a few turns or reinforce the center with thin clear nylon thread.
• For a more polished handmade-market finish, use matching thread rather than bulky yarn to attach beads and wooden embellishments.
Troubleshooting
The spiral is too tight: Use 2 dc per foundation chain instead of 3, or use a larger hook.
The spiral is too loose: Work 3-4 dc per chain or use a smaller hook.
The head tilts forward: Move the top hanging attachment slightly toward the back of the hat.
The bottom ball twists the body: Use a lighter ball or attach it with a short flexible yarn loop instead of a rigid connector.
The face looks flattened: Use less stuffing at the front and push most stuffing toward the sides and back.
Decorations pull the spiral out of shape: Reduce the number of beads/charms or replace heavy pieces with crocheted appliques.