This Halloween crochet hanging is inspired by the three spiral decorations shown in the reference photo. The design combines a black bat and black cat theme with an orange pumpkin theme and a white ghost theme. Each hanging has a long crochet spiral with bright Halloween colors. Small beads and crochet ornaments decorate the spiral. A large bell at the bottom gives the piece movement and a festive finish.
This tutorial is a photo inspired reconstruction. It is designed to help you create a very similar finished look. The exact original pattern may use different stitch counts or construction methods.
Finished Size
Each finished hanging can measure about 65 cm to 85 cm from the top bead to the bottom bell. The spiral can measure about 6 cm to 8 cm wide. The top character can measure about 10 cm to 14 cm wide depending on the yarn and hook size.
Skill Level
This project is suitable for an intermediate crocheter. You should be comfortable with working in the round. You should also know how to make increases and decreases. Basic sewing and simple embroidery are also needed.
Materials
You will need black yarn for the bat and cat designs. You will need orange yarn for the pumpkin details and the orange spiral edging. You will need green yarn for one of the spiral borders and small pumpkin stems. You will need purple yarn for the ghost version. You will need white yarn for the ghost and for the spider web decorations. You will also need small amounts of red yarn if you want a red and black bat version.
Choose DK yarn or light worsted yarn. Cotton yarn gives a firm shape and clear stitches. Acrylic yarn gives a softer look. A 3 mm to 4 mm crochet hook works well for most versions.
You will also need a tapestry needle. You will need scissors. You will need stitch markers. You will need strong hanging cord. You will need several wooden beads or large round beads. You will need lightweight decorative beads in Halloween colors. You will need one lightweight bell for the bottom of each hanging.
For the cat face you can use safety eyes or crochet eyes. For the bat eyes you can use safety eyes. For the ghost face you can use black yarn or black felt. Use only secure materials if the decoration will be around children.
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. Tr means treble crochet. Inc means increase. Dec means decrease. BLO means back loop only. St means stitch.
Construction Overview
Each hanging is made from several separate pieces. First make the main spiral. Then make the top character. Next make the small hanging ornaments. Add the beads and bell after all crochet pieces are finished. Finally assemble everything on a strong center cord.
How To Make The Main Spiral
The spiral is the same basic construction for all three designs. Only the colors are different.
Chain between 110 and 140 stitches. Use fewer chains for a short hanging. Use more chains for a long 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.
For the black and red bat hanging use black yarn for the main strip. Add one row of red single crochet along one edge. Add another row of black single crochet along the opposite edge if you want a thicker border.
For the black cat hanging use black yarn for the main strip. Add one row of green single crochet along one edge. Add one row of orange single crochet next to the green row.
For the ghost hanging use black yarn or very dark purple yarn for the main strip. Add one row of purple single crochet along one edge. Add one row of orange single crochet next to the purple row.
When the spiral is complete shape it gently with your hands. Do not flatten the curl. If the spiral is too tight use gentle steam from a safe distance and stretch the coil slightly.
How To Make The Black Cat Head
Start with black yarn. 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.
Rounds 6 to 9. Work 1 single crochet stitch in every stitch around.
Round 10. Work 3 single crochet stitches then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 24 stitches.
Round 11. Work 2 single crochet stitches then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 18 stitches.
Add the eyes before closing the head. Place them near the middle of the face. Add a small pink nose with yarn. Embroider a short mouth below the nose.
Round 12. Work 1 single crochet stitch then make a decrease. Repeat around. You will have 12 stitches. Add a small amount of fiberfill if you want a softly padded head.
Round 13. Make decreases around until the opening is small. Fasten off and close the hole.
Cat Ears
Make two ears with black yarn. Chain 5. Work 1 single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Work 1 half double crochet in the next chain. Work 1 double crochet in the next chain. Work 1 treble crochet in the last chain. Fasten off with a long tail. Sew one ear to each top side of the head.
Cat Bow Tie
With orange yarn chain 8. Work single crochet across. Continue for 4 rows. Fasten off. Wrap a short strand of orange yarn tightly around the center to form a bow. Sew the bow below the cat head.
How To Make The Black Bat
The bat body can be made with the same round head shape used for the cat. Use black yarn. Make the head slightly smaller by stopping the increase rounds at 24 stitches. Work several plain rounds. Add safety eyes and a small pink nose. Stuff lightly and close the head.
Bat Ears
Make two small pointed ears using the same method as the cat ears. Sew them to the top of the head.
Bat Wings
Make two wings with black yarn. Chain 10. Work 1 single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Work 1 half double crochet in the next stitch. Work 1 double crochet in the next two stitches. Work 1 treble crochet in the next two stitches. Work 1 double crochet in the next stitch. Work 1 half double crochet in the next stitch. Work 1 single crochet in the last stitch.
Turn the piece. Work back across with single crochet. On the lower edge create three small points by using short chain loops. Fasten off with a long tail. Sew one wing to each side of the bat body.
How To Make The White Ghost
Start with white yarn. Make a magic ring and work 6 single crochet stitches inside.
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.
Rounds 5 to 9. Work 1 single crochet stitch in every stitch around.
For the lower ghost edge work one round with small scallops. Work 1 single crochet then 4 double crochet stitches in the next stitch then 1 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat this shape around the lower edge.
Add black oval eyes and a smiling mouth. You can embroider the face or sew on felt pieces. Add a little pink yarn to the cheeks if you want a cute expression.
Ghost Arms
Make two small arms. Chain 5 with white yarn. Work 1 single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Fasten off. Sew one arm to each side of the ghost body.
How To Make The Pumpkin Ornament
Start with orange yarn. Make a magic ring and work 8 single crochet stitches inside.
Round 2. Work 2 single crochet stitches in every stitch. You will have 16 stitches.
Round 3. Work 1 single crochet stitch then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 24 stitches.
Round 4. Work 2 single crochet stitches then make an increase. Repeat around. You will have 32 stitches.
Work one plain round. Fasten off. Use black yarn to embroider triangle eyes and a smiling jack o lantern mouth. Add a small green stem at the top.
How To Make The Spider Web Ornament
Use white yarn. Make a magic ring and work 8 single crochet stitches inside.
On the next round chain 3 and skip 1 stitch. Work 1 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat around.
On the next round chain 4 and work 1 single crochet into each chain space. Repeat around.
On the next round chain 5 and work 1 single crochet into each chain space. Repeat around.
Fasten off. Block the web flat so the shape stays open.
How To Add Decorative Beads
Use large round beads in black orange green red or purple. Sew or tie the beads along the outer edge of the spiral. Place them at different heights so the design looks full but balanced.
You can place one bead every 5 cm to 8 cm. Keep the beads lightweight. Heavy beads can stretch the crochet.
How To Make The Center Hanging Cord
Cut a strong cord slightly longer than the finished spiral. Attach the upper end to the top character. Run the cord down through the center of the spiral. Add a few beads along the cord. Tie a knot above and below each bead so it stays in place.
How To Add The Bottom Bell
Attach one lightweight bell to the bottom of the center cord. Use red for the bat version. Use gold for the black cat version. Use purple for the ghost version if you want to match the reference photo.
Tie the bell securely. Check that the weight does not pull the spiral out of shape.
Final Assembly
Attach the top character to the upper end of the spiral. Position the spiral so the colored edge faces forward. Run the center cord through the middle of the spiral. Add the decorative beads to the spiral edge. Sew the spider web and pumpkin ornaments to short hanging cords. Attach them at different heights. Add the bottom bell. Add a strong loop above the top bead for hanging.