This festive crochet hanging is inspired by the polar bear decoration shown in the photo. The design combines a soft white bear head with a red winter hat and scarf. A long white spiral hangs below the head and is decorated with colorful snowflake motifs. Small beads run through the center and Christmas baubles finish the bottom.
Materials
You will need white yarn for the bear head and the spiral body. You will need red yarn for the hat scarf and red snowflakes. You will need green yarn for green snowflakes and small decorative details. You can also use a small amount of gold or mustard yarn for extra festive accents. Use black yarn or embroidery thread for the eyes nose eyebrows and mouth. Use a small amount of pink yarn if you want rosy cheeks. Choose a crochet hook between 3 mm and 4 mm depending on your yarn. You will also need fiberfill a tapestry needle scissors stitch markers strong hanging cord and a few red and green beads. For the bottom decoration use two or three lightweight Christmas baubles.
Finished Size
The finished hanging can measure about 75 cm to 95 cm from the top of the hat to the bottom ornaments. The bear head can measure about 14 cm to 17 cm wide. The spiral can measure about 7 cm to 9 cm wide.
Stitch Abbreviations
MR means magic ring. Ch means chain. Sl st means slip stitch. Sc means single crochet. Hdc means half double crochet. Dc means double crochet. Inc means increase. Dec means decrease. BLO means back loop only.
How To Make The Polar Bear Head
Start with white yarn and work in continuous rounds. Make a magic ring and work 6 single crochet stitches inside the ring.
Round 2. Work 2 single crochet stitches in every stitch. You will have 12 stitches.
Round 3. Work 1 single crochet stitch then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 18 stitches.
Round 4. Work 2 single crochet stitches then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 24 stitches.
Round 5. Work 3 single crochet stitches then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 30 stitches.
Round 6. Work 4 single crochet stitches then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 36 stitches.
Round 7. Work 5 single crochet stitches then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 42 stitches.
Rounds 8 to 14. Work 1 single crochet stitch in every stitch around.
Round 15. Work 5 single crochet stitches then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 36 stitches.
Round 16. Work 4 single crochet stitches then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 30 stitches.
Round 17. Work 3 single crochet stitches then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 24 stitches.
Place the eyes between the upper middle rounds. Keep about 8 stitches between the eyes. Begin filling the head with fiberfill.
Round 18. Work 2 single crochet stitches then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 18 stitches.
Round 19. Work 1 single crochet stitch then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 12 stitches.
Round 20. Make decreases around until the opening is small. Add the final fiberfill. Close the opening and weave in the yarn end.
How To Make The Ears
Make two ears with white yarn. Start with a magic ring and work 6 single crochet stitches inside. On the next round work 2 single crochet stitches in every stitch. Work one more round with 1 single crochet stitch in every stitch. Fasten off and leave a long tail. Sew one ear on each side of the head.
How To Make The Muzzle
Make a magic ring with white yarn and work 6 single crochet stitches inside. On the next round make an increase in every stitch. On the following round work 1 single crochet stitch then make an increase. Repeat around. Work one plain round and fasten off. Add a very small amount of stuffing and sew the muzzle below the eyes.
Use black yarn to embroider an oval nose. Add a short line below the nose and two curved lines for the smile. Add small eyebrows above the eyes. You can add pink stitches to the cheeks.
How To Make The Red Hat
Start at the top with red yarn. Make a magic ring and work 6 single crochet stitches. Work one plain round. On the next round work 1 single crochet stitch then make an increase. Continue adding increases every few rounds until the hat is wide enough to fit the bear head. Work several plain rounds to create the lower part of the hat. Finish with one round of half double crochet stitches for a soft brim.
Make a red pom pom by wrapping yarn around your fingers many times. Tie the center tightly. Cut the loops and trim the yarn into a round shape. Sew the pom pom to the top of the hat. Sew the hat securely to the bear head.
How To Make The Scarf
Chain 8 with red yarn. Work half double crochet stitches across the chain. Turn and continue working half double crochet stitches through the back loop only. Continue until the scarf is long enough to wrap once around the neck and hang down on one side. Fasten off and add short fringe to the ends if desired. Wrap the scarf around the neck and secure it with a few small stitches.
How To Make The White Spiral
Chain between 120 and 150 stitches with white yarn. Use a shorter chain for a small decoration and a longer chain for a tall hanging.
Work 2 double crochet stitches in the fourth chain from the hook. Then work 3 double crochet stitches in every remaining chain. The strip will begin to curl while you work.
When the first row is complete work one row of half double crochet stitches along the outer edge. This gives the spiral more body. If you want a stronger spiral add one final row of single crochet stitches.
How To Make The Snowflake Decorations
Make several small snowflakes in red green and gold. Start with a magic ring and work 6 single crochet stitches inside. For each snowflake arm make a short chain. Slip stitch back along the chain and return to the center. Repeat this process six times around the ring. Fasten off and leave a long yarn tail for sewing.
Sew the snowflakes to the visible front sections of the spiral. Alternate the colors so the decoration looks balanced.
How To Add The Beads
Cut a strong cord slightly longer than the spiral. Attach the upper end of the cord under the bear head. Thread red and green beads onto the cord. Tie a small knot above and below every bead so it stays in place. Run the cord through the center of the spiral.
How To Add The Bottom Ornaments
Attach two or three lightweight Christmas baubles to the bottom of the center cord. Red green and white ornaments work well with this design. Keep the ornaments light so they do not stretch the crochet.
Final Assembly
Sew the top of the white spiral under the scarf and below the bear head. Turn the spiral until the front sections face forward. Place the center cord inside the spiral. Adjust the beads so they sit between the coils. Sew the snowflakes firmly in place. Attach the bottom ornaments. Add a strong hanging loop at the top of the hat.
Blocking And Finishing
Weave in every yarn end. Lightly shape the spiral with your hands. If needed use gentle steam from a safe distance. Do not press the spiral flat. Pin the snowflakes flat while they cool or dry. Make sure every bead and ornament is secure before hanging the decoration.
How To Resize The Pattern
For a shorter hanging use about 90 to 100 chains for the spiral. For a longer decoration use about 160 to 180 chains. To make the bear head larger continue the increase pattern for one extra round before working the plain rounds.