A dramatic hanging Christmas decoration shaped like a floating spiral tree. The long red-and-green striped ribbon winds from a gold star at the top to a snowflake at the bottom, with a small Santa figure, bells, bows and miniature gift accents attached along the spiral.
Finished size: approximately 55 to 70 cm long and 18 to 24 cm wide, depending on yarn, hook and blocking.
What you’ll need
DK or light worsted cotton/acrylic yarn
3.0 to 3.5 mm crochet hook
tapestry needle and scissors
optional small bells, beads and ribbon bows
light stuffing for Santa
stitch markers
Suggested colors
forest green
Christmas red
white or cream
gold or mustard
skin tone
brown
black
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 long striped crochet band and block it flat.
Shape the band into a loose cone-like spiral, decreasing the diameter from bottom to top.
Crochet a five-point star topper and a small snowflake for the lower end.
Make a small stuffed Santa applique or mini amigurumi and sew it to the middle section.
Attach miniature bells, bows and gift motifs at balanced intervals.
Main striped ribbon
Ch 18 to 24. Work rows of hdc or dc, changing color every 2 to 3 rows between green and red. Add a narrow white edging on both long sides. Continue until the strip measures about 120 to 160 cm, depending on desired finished size.
Creating the spiral
Lightly damp-block the strip. Starting at the top, wrap it around an imaginary cone, using smaller loops near the star and larger loops toward the bottom. Tack neighboring turns together at hidden points with matching yarn so the spiral hangs as one stable piece.
Star topper
Work a small flat five-point star in gold. A simple method is to begin with 10 sc in a magic ring, then make five points using alternating short and tall stitches. Add a hanging loop at the top.
Mini Santa
Crochet a small round head and short body. Add a red hat, white beard, black belt and tiny arms. Stuff lightly so the figure stays dimensional without becoming heavy.
Bottom snowflake
Crochet a small six-point snowflake in white. Stiffen lightly if desired and attach it to the bottom end of the spiral with a short chain or cord.
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 only red, white and green for a classic palette.
Replace Santa with a snowman, gingerbread figure or reindeer.
Add tiny battery-safe plastic beads instead of bells for a lightweight version.
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. |