Introduction
Bring a touch of handmade magic to your holiday decor with this festive crochet snowflake ornament, featuring striking leafy green motifs radiating from a crisp white base. This elegant piece is designed to be both eye-catching and delightfully textured, offering the perfect blend of classic wintry motifs and contemporary charm. The ornament consists of a six-pointed snowflake with raised, textured green leaves at each point, all bordered with beautifully entwined white stitches. Finished with a sturdy hanging loop, it looks equally stunning hung on a Christmas tree, draped over a mantel, or given as a heartfelt gift.
The finished snowflake measures approximately 15 cm (6 inches) across and uses easy-to-find medium weight yarn in green and white. Its openwork structure allows it to stand out as a delicate yet bold addition to any seasonal setting. Crocheters will enjoy the interplay of basic and intermediate stitches that build up into crisp, defined points and motifs, making this ornament a special project for anyone looking to enhance their holiday crafting repertoire.
Project Overview
This snowflake ornament is worked in the round from the center outward, with six repeating segments. The construction uses primarily joined rounds, with each point featuring a distinct leaf motif in green and bordered in white. All sections are crocheted as a continuous single piece, except for the hanging loop, which is added at the end. Strategic color changes create the leafy points, while the lacy white border brings the snowflake’s delicate form to life.
Skill Level
Advanced Beginner to Intermediate. This project uses basic stitches and color changes, and requires some experience with working in the round, increasing, and crocheting into chain spaces and previous rounds. If you’re comfortable with color changes and reading patterns, you’ll find this project rewarding and fun.
Materials
- Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton yarn—for stitch definition and structure. Approx. 35 g in white (Color A) and 15 g in green (Color B).
- Crochet hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) or size needed to achieve gauge.
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
- Small sharp scissors.
- Stitch markers: optional, for marking the beginning of rounds.
- Spray bottle or steam iron (for blocking and shaping the finished ornament).
Finished Size
The finished snowflake ornament measures approximately 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter from tip to tip. The hanging loop adds another 5 cm (2 inches). Adjust the size by using a different yarn weight or changing your hook size. Thinner yarn and a smaller hook will give a more delicate, smaller ornament, while upscaling will create a statement piece.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this ornamental project, but for reference, after completing Rounds 1-3, your work should measure approximately 6 cm (2.4 inches) across. Slight differences in gauge will change the size and drape of your finished snowflake. Try to crochet with medium even tension for neatness and consistency.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble (triple) crochet
- MR: magic ring
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- inc: increase (2 stitches in same stitch or space)
Pattern Notes
This project is worked in joined rounds; each round ends with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain or first stitch. Chains at the beginning of rounds count as stitches unless specified otherwise. For color changes, always finish the last yarn over of the stitch before the color change with the new color. The right side (RS) should face you at all times. Use a stitch marker to keep track of round beginnings if necessary. The leaf motif is formed with stitches of varying height and increases/decreases to create shaping. Fasten off color changes securely and weave in ends neatly on the WS. Blocking is recommended for crisp edges.
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Center Circle
- With Color A (white), make a MR. Ch 2 (counts as hdc), work 11 hdc in MR. Join with sl st to top of starting ch-2. (12 hdc)
- Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 2, sc in next st; repeat from * around, ending with ch 2, sl st to first sc. (12 sc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Foundation for Points
- Sl st into next ch-2 sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same sp, *sl st in next ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next sp; repeat from * around. Join as before. (6 ch-3 sps)
Building the Points (Leaf Motifs)
- Switch to Color B (green). Attach with sl st in any ch-3 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp—Leaf base made.
*Sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 3 (dc), 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of starting ch-3. (6 leaf bases) - Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next dc, hdc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, hdc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in same ch-3 sp as prior row to anchor the tip.
*Sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, dc in next dc, hdc in next dc, sc in ch-1 sp, hdc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in same sp; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to top of starting ch-3. (Each point now shaped with a rounded tip and base.) - Fasten off Color B. Join Color A (white) in the tip of any leaf motif (in the ch-2 sp). Ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same sp, ch 3, sl st into next anchor sl st between points, ch 3.
*In tip of next leaf, (sc, ch 3, sc), ch 3, sl st into anchor between points, ch 3; repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sc made. (6 decorated points)
Creating Lacy Snowflake Edges
- Ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same ch-3 tip sp as join, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sc in sl st between points, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3.
*In next ch-3 tip sp, (sc, ch 3, sc), ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sc in anchor sl st, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3; repeat from * around. Join as before. Fasten off and weave in all ends except for one white tail at a snowflake point for the hanging loop.
Hanging Loop
- With the remaining white tail (or attach Color A), ch 30, sl st to the same point to form a loop. Tighten, fasten off, and weave in the end securely.
Assembly and Finishing
Once crocheting is complete, gently stretch your ornament out on a blocking mat or a towel. Pin each of the six points for symmetry. Spray with water or steam lightly with an iron (hovering, do not press) to set the shape. Allow to dry fully. Weave in any remaining yarn tails, taking care to secure color change joins. If desired, lightly starch the snowflake for extra stiffness. Double-check that the hanging loop is secure, and trim any stray fibers for a polished look.
Customization Ideas
- Color Variation: Swap the green for gold, red, blue, silver, or variegated holiday yarn for a different effect.
- Yarn Options: Use metallic thread or glitter yarn for an ornamental finish, or substitute acrylic yarn for durability.
- Purpose Alternatives: Sew several together for a garland, use as a table topper, gift tag, or wall accent.
Troubleshooting
- Curling or warping: This usually results from uneven tension—block carefully as instructed, stretching evenly.
- Uneven Edges: Check stitch counts at the end of each round, especially in chain spaces and leaf motifs.
- Too large/small: Check your gauge after the third round and adjust your hook size accordingly.
- Loose color changes: Pull snugly when joining new yarn and weave in ends on the wrong side to secure.
- Gaps at leaf base: Double-check that all stitches anchor into the correct spaces; add extra sc if spaces appear too large.
- Unsteady hanging: Reinforce the loop by whip-stitching it in place a second time.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent if needed. Reshape and air dry flat. Do not wring. If starch is used, avoid soaking; instead, spot-clean gently. Store flat between layers of tissue paper to preserve shape and prevent snagging.
Final Notes
Carefully count stitches and chains in every round for best results. Adjust your tension as needed for neat, even leaves and points. Use the reference photo to guide color placement and ornament symmetry—personalizing your snowflake truly makes it special!
