Bring enchanting holiday cheer to your home with these eye-catching spiral crochet snowman and Christmas tree ornaments. Each ornament—two lovable snowmen in cozy purple attire and a delicate Christmas tree—features an imaginative spiraling body that dangles gracefully. Adorned with pearls, embroidery, and festive embellishments, these ornaments combine whimsical style with vibrant purples and snowy whites. Perfect for Christmas décor, gift-giving, or unique window hangings, these creations invite color and joy into your space.
Whether you hang them on a tree, in a window, or use them as seasonal gifts, these friendly faces and their charming curlicue shapes will make everyone smile. The clever spiral technique gives movement and visual interest—while playful textures like bobble stitches, ribbed scarves, and tiny bells offer the perfect finishing touch. This project is as fun to make as it is to display, inviting experimentation with color, surface decoration, and expressive details.
Project Overview
The ornaments are made in distinct parts and joined together for a polished finish. The snowman heads/hats, scarves, and spiral bodies are crocheted separately and then assembled. The tree ornament consists of a graduated beaded tree, a spiral body, and beaded and embroidered accents, all worked in rounds or rows, then sewn together. Surface details (faces, snowflakes, pearls) are added in the final step.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner to Intermediate. The pattern uses basic amigurumi skills (working in the round, switching colors), as well as some decorative techniques (embroidery, attaching beads, making tassels and pompoms). Spirals require careful counting and even tension, but no advanced stitches.
Materials
- Yarn: DK (Light/3) or worsted weight cotton or soft acrylic yarn in the following shades:
- White (snowman faces, snowflakes, tree tips)
- Purple (at least 2-3 shades for spiral bodies, hats, scarves, tree layers)
- Small amount Black (eyes, mouth)
- Small amount Orange (snowman noses)
- Pink (cheeks, optional)
- Silver/grey or additional color for stars, bells, or baubles
- Crochet hook: US size D/3 (3.25 mm) or E/4 (3.5 mm), to suit yarn chosen
- Tapestry needle (for sewing pieces and embroidery)
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Polyester stuffing/fiberfill (for snowman heads and tree)
- Small safety eyes or black beads (optional for eyes)
- Small jingle bells, pearl beads, sequins, or baubles for decoration
- Fine white embroidery thread or thin yarn (for snowflake accents)
- Pom-pom or tassel maker (optional, for hat/tail ends)
Finished Size
- Each ornament (including spiral): approx. 26–30 cm (10–12 inches) long
- Head/Tree section: approx. 7–8 cm (3 inches) wide
To adjust size: increase or decrease spiral starting chain, or use heavier/lighter yarn and appropriate hook size.
Gauge
Exact gauge is not critical, but aim for neat, tight stitches so stuffing does not show through. Approximate gauge for DK yarn with 3.25 mm hook: 22 sc x 24 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in). Small gauge changes affect final size.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- inc – increase (2 sc in same st)
- dec – decrease (sc2tog over next 2 sts)
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- MR – magic ring
- FO – fasten off
Important Pattern Notes
- Work spirals and amigurumi heads in rounds unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker for the first stitch of each round.
- Chains at start of rounds do NOT count as stitches unless specified.
- Change colors by completing the last yarn over of previous st with the new color.
- Weave in ends securely inside pieces. Add surface embroidery and beads after assembly.
- Arrange spiral before attaching head/tree to ensure a balanced, hanging shape.
Detailed Crochet Pattern
Part 1: Spiral Body
Make one spiral for each ornament. Each spiral is made as a long rectangle that curls naturally due to increases along one edge. Alternate purples or blend light to dark as desired.
- With main purple shade, ch 75 (for a spiral approx. 25 cm/10 inches long; ch more or fewer for desired length).
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (74 sc)
- Row 2: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc across to last st, 2 sc in last st. (2 inc; 76 sc)
- Rows 3–8: Repeat Row 2. Continue using one shade, or change purples every 2 rows for an ombre/striped look.
- Spiral curls more with more rows. For extra width, alternate between sc and hdc on even rows (optional).
- When spiral is 6–7 rows wide, FO leaving a long tail for attaching. For added dimension, single crochet along both long edges to neaten, switching to white for one side if desired.
Tip: If making the tree, use lightest shade at the start, transitioning to darkest at the bottom, or vice versa.
Part 2: Snowman Head
Work in continuous spiral rounds. Stuff firmly as you crochet.
- With white, MR, 6 sc into ring. (6)
- Rnd 1: Inc in each st around. (12)
- Rnd 2: (Sc, inc) around. (18)
- Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) around. (24)
- Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) around. (30)
- Rnd 5: (4 sc, inc) around. (36)
- Rnds 6-11: Sc in each st around. (36)
- Rnd 12: (4 sc, dec) around. (30)
- Rnd 13: (3 sc, dec) around. (24)
- Add safety eyes or embroider eyes between Rounds 8-9, about 6 sts apart.
- Rnd 14: (2 sc, dec) around. (18)
- Stuff head firmly.
- Rnd 15: (Sc, dec) around. (12)
- Rnd 16: Dec around. (6)
- FO, weave tail through remaining sts and secure.
Part 3: Snowman Face Details
- Embroider smile with black yarn, curved under the eyes.
- With orange, embroider or crochet a small nose:
- MR, 4 sc into ring, sl st to first sc, FO, shape into a cone and sew below eyes.
- Stitch pink cheeks with tiny circles or pink blush.
- Sew on bead eyes if not using safety eyes.
Part 4: Snowman Hat
- Beanie Hat (for left snowman):
- With dark purple, MR, 6 sc into ring. (6)
- Rnd 1: Inc in each st around (12)
- Rnd 2: (Sc, inc) around (18)
- Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) around (24)
- Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) around (30)
- Rnd 5: Sc in each st (30)
- Change to lighter purple. Rnds 6–8: Sc in each st around. (30)
- Repeat/adjust for desired length. FO.
- Optional: Add a small pompom to top. Sew hat to snowman’s head, angling slightly for character.
- Top Hat (for right snowman):
- With purple, MR, 6 sc into ring. (6)
- Rnd 1: Inc in each st (12)
- Rnd 2: (Sc, inc) around (18)
- Rnd 3: In back loops only, sc in each st around (18)
- Rnds 4–6: Sc in each st around (18)
- Change to a different purple (for hat band), 2 rounds sc (18)
- For brim: Work 2 sc in each st around through both loops (36), FO.
- Sew hat to head, tilting slightly.
Part 5: Scarf
- With contrast purple or marled yarn, ch 36.
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and across (35 sc).
- Repeat 2-3 more rows for width, alternating colors for a striped look.
- At each end, attach fringe or create tiny tassels by looping short strands and knotting.
- Wrap scarf around snowman’s neck, sew or knot in place.
Part 6: Christmas Tree Top
- With light purple, MR, 6 sc in ring. (6)
- Rnd 1: (sc, inc) around (9)
- Rnd 2: (2 sc, inc) around (12)
- Rnd 3: (3 sc, inc) around (15)
- Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st around (15)
- Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (18)
- Rnd 7: Sc in each st (18)
- Change to next shade of purple, repeat (inc rounds, then sc rounds), stuffing lightly as you go, until tree is desired height (about 7-8 layers, ending with 30 sc base).
- For ruffled tips at each color change: *Sl st, (sc, hdc, sc) in next st, sl st to next* repeat around once per tier edge.
- FO, close bottom, sew to top of spiral body.
- Optional: Top with a small crocheted or felted star, sewn securely.
Part 7: Assembly
- Sew spiral body securely to base of snowman head or Christmas tree.
- Ensure spiral naturally hangs with a gentle coil.
- Attach a hanging loop to the very top (hat, tree star, or head), using a chain or matching ribbon.
- Add small bells or baubles to the spiral tips, using yarn tails or jump rings.
- Sew pearl beads and sequins at spiral edges or tree layers for sparkle.
- Embroider snowflakes using white embroidery thread—work small straight stitches or simple star shapes, scattering them along the spiral.
Assembly and Finishing
- Block scarf and spiral gently, if desired, to neaten shape before assembly (steam lightly if using acrylic; damp block for cotton).
- Firmly sew head/tree to top of spiral, ensuring balance for smooth, even hanging.
- After assembling, gently arrange spiral and scarf. Attach or pin snowflakes, beads, and other surface details.
- Weave in all ends securely, hiding tails inside pieces.
- Check all hanging loops and attachments before final display.
Customization Ideas
- Try alternate colors to match your décor—silver and blue for a frosty look, red and green for classic Christmas, or pastels for a modern theme.
- Switch up yarn weights for bigger or smaller ornaments. Super bulky yarn makes playful large spirals; sport weight creates daintier versions.
- Add more beads/sequins or omit for a simpler, classic finish.
- Stitch additional motifs at the top (mini stars, hearts), or embroider more elaborate snowflakes.
- Use the spiral motif as a hanging window decoration, add a dowel for a mobile, or attach to a wreath.
- Make matching coasters or garlands by using only the spiral part, finishing both ends neatly with beads or pompoms.
Troubleshooting Tips
- If the spiral curls too tightly, decrease the number of increase rows or stretch it gently when finishing.
- If spiral is too loose, add more increase rows for a fuller effect.
- If edges become wavy or uneven, blocking or evenly single crocheting around the edge helps.
- Peculiar shapes or twists may result from uneven stitch tension; work slowly and keep stitches even.
- Color changes appear tidy if you change yarn at the end of a row or round, carrying the inactive color loosely up the side when possible.
- If stuffing shows through snowman head, use a smaller hook or tighter stitch.
Care Instructions
- Spot clean or hand wash gently in lukewarm water if using cotton or washable acrylic yarns. Lay flat to dry.
- Avoid machine drying or wringing to maintain shape and prevent damage to decorative details.
- Store flat in a cool, dry place between seasons to preserve the shape of the ornaments and avoid crushing beads or surface embroidery.
Final Notes
Take time to check stitch counts at the end of each round, and adjust tension to keep your shapes smooth and well-formed. Use the photo as your inspiration for color order, expression, and decoration, but feel free to bring your personal touch to each ornament. Working slowly, especially when assembling the delicately curled spirals, helps achieve professional, whimsical results. Enjoy the process, and have a magical festive season with your delightful handmade décor!
