A festive red, white, and green crochet spiral ornament with layered star topper, mini stars, and hanging bells
This Christmas hanging is inspired by the photographed design: a large layered star at the top, a long striped spiral ribbon in red, white, and green, small dangling crochet stars, and metallic bell ornaments. The finished piece works beautifully as a door hanging, window ornament, wall decoration, or Christmas tree accent.
This tutorial is a photo-inspired reconstruction based on visual observation of the finished piece. It is not the original designer’s exact written pattern, so you may need to make small adjustments for your yarn weight, hook size, and personal tension.
Finished Size
• Total hanging length: approximately 75-95 cm / 30-37 in
• Top star width: approximately 18-22 cm / 7-9 in
• Spiral width: approximately 5-6 cm / 2-2.5 in
• Mini star size: approximately 4-6 cm / 1.5-2.5 in
Skill Level
Intermediate. The project uses shaping, color changes, working around a foundation chain, applique motifs, decorative edging, and assembly.
Materials
| Material | Suggested Amount / Use |
| Red yarn | 100-150 g, DK or light worsted |
| White yarn | 75-100 g |
| Green yarn | 75-100 g |
| Crochet hook | 3.5-4.0 mm, or size suitable for your yarn |
| Tapestry needle | for sewing and weaving ends |
| Scissors | 1 pair |
| Stitch markers | optional |
| Small metallic bells | 6-10, gold/red/green mix if desired |
| Thin hanging cord or strong thread | for suspending bells and stars |
| Optional fiberfill | small amount if you want a lightly padded top star |
Stitch Abbreviations
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• inc = increase
• sp = space
• rep = repeat
• MR = magic ring
Construction Overview
The hanging is made in four main parts: a layered star topper, one long striped spiral, several mini crochet stars, and the bell/cord decorations. The pieces are made separately and assembled at the end.
Part 1 – Large Layered Star Topper
The top motif is built as three stars layered together: a large red outer star, a smaller white star, and a green center star.
Large Red Star
1. Round 1: With red, make an MR. Ch 2 and work 10 hdc into the ring. Join with sl st.
2. Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each stitch around. Join. (20)
3. Round 3: *Sc in next 2 stitches, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in last ch, skip 2 base stitches, sc in next 2 stitches.* Repeat 5 times.
4. Round 4: Work evenly around each point with sc, placing 3 sc in the tip stitch to sharpen each point.
5. Round 5: Optional: add one more sc round for a thicker star edge.
White Middle Star
Repeat the same star construction using white yarn, but stop one round earlier so the star is approximately 70-75% the size of the red star.
Green Center Star
Repeat again in green, making a smaller five-point star approximately 45-50% the size of the red star.
Layering the Star
6. Block all three stars lightly.
7. Center the white star over the red star and sew around the inner edges.
8. Center the green star over the white star and sew securely.
9. If desired, make a second red star for the back and lightly stuff between the two layers for a padded ornament.
Part 2 – Striped Spiral Ribbon
The spiral is the main feature. It is worked from a long foundation chain with heavy increases that force the strip to curl.
Foundation
10. With red, ch 150-180 depending on the desired finished length.
11. Row 1: Work 2 dc in the 4th ch from the hook, then 3 dc in each remaining chain across. The strip will begin curling immediately.
12. Fasten off red.
Green Stripe
13. Join green to one long edge of the spiral.
14. Work 1 sc in each available stitch around the edge, adding a second sc occasionally if the edge begins to pull.
15. Fasten off.
White Stripe
16. Join white next to the green stripe.
17. Work one even row of sc or hdc along the same spiral edge.
18. Keep tension relaxed so the strip continues to coil naturally.
19. Fasten off.
Red Outer Edging
20. Join red along the opposite edge.
21. Work one round of sc around the entire edge.
22. Optional decorative finish: *sc in next 2 stitches, ch 2, sl st in first ch* to create tiny picots.
If the spiral is too tight, gently stretch and steam-block it. If it is too loose, add another row with slight increases along the inside edge.
Part 3 – Mini Crochet Stars (Make 6-8)
23. Make an MR.
24. Round 1: Ch 1, work 10 sc into the ring. Join.
25. For each point: *sl st in next stitch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in next base stitch.*
26. Repeat 5 times.
27. Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough for hanging.
Make some stars in red and some in green to match the reference look. For firmer ornaments, use a smaller hook or lightly stiffen the stars after blocking.
Part 4 – Bell Hangers
28. Cut short lengths of strong cord or yarn, approximately 8-15 cm / 3-6 in each.
29. Thread one end through a metallic bell and knot securely.
30. Attach the other end to the spiral edge at different heights.
31. Alternate gold, red, and green bells if available.
Part 5 – Final Assembly
32. Sew the top end of the spiral securely to the bottom point of the layered star.
33. Rotate the spiral so the red, white, and green stripes face outward evenly.
34. Attach mini crochet stars along both sides of the spiral at staggered intervals.
35. Add bells in the spaces between mini stars.
36. Keep heavier bells slightly lower so the hanging balances naturally.
37. Add a loop of yarn or ribbon to the top star for hanging.
38. Check that all knots and sewn joins are secure before displaying.
Suggested Decoration Placement
• Upper spiral: 1 red star + 1 green star + 1 gold bell
• Middle spiral: 2 green stars + 1 red bell + 1 gold bell
• Lower spiral: 1 red star + 1 green star + 2 bells
• Bottom tip: 1 final bell or star for visual weight
Blocking & Finishing
39. Weave in all yarn ends.
40. Lightly wet-block the layered star and mini stars.
41. Do not flatten the spiral completely; shape it by hand while damp.
42. Allow all pieces to dry fully before final assembly.
43. If the star points curl, pin each point straight while blocking.
How to Resize
For a shorter ornament, begin with 100-120 foundation chains. For a long door hanging, use 180-220 chains. The topper can also be enlarged by adding one or two extra rounds around each star layer.
Color Variations
• Classic Christmas: red, white, and green with gold bells.
• Elegant Christmas: burgundy, cream, forest green, and antique brass bells.
• Candy cane: red and white spiral with silver bells.
• Nordic style: deep red, natural cream, muted green, wooden beads.
• Winter style: white, icy blue, silver, and pearl ornaments