Materials
Sport cotton in pastel yellow, blue, lavender, pink, mint, cream, red, green and brown.
2.25 mm hook.
Small amount of stuffing.
6 mm safety eyes or embroidery thread.
Tapestry needle and scissors.
Pearl beads and decorative crystal drops if desired.
Small metal rings for hanging.
Finished Size
Approx. 45 to 60 cm long each.
Abbreviations
MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
inc = 2 sc in the same stitch
dec = single crochet 2 stitches together
BLO = back loop only
FLO = front loop only
st / sts = stitch / stitches
R / Rd = row / round
Pattern Notes
All four designs use the same basic spiral principle. Change colors and small appliques to create coordinated sets.
Method
Make the character or object topper first. Crochet the spiral strip second. Sew small motifs to the spiral, then add a bead and decorative drop at the lower end.
Formation
Design A: smiling moon with blue-lavender spiral, stars and clouds.
Design B: strawberry cluster with pink-cream spiral, flowers and leaves.
Design C: jellyfish with blue-lavender spiral, shells and sea motifs.
Design D: hot-air balloon with bear basket and pastel rainbow spiral.
Full Pattern
Basic Spiral for All Four Designs
Ch150.
R1: sc in 2nd ch and across.
R2: ch2, turn, 2 hdc in each st across.
Fasten off or change colors every 20 to 30 sts by working the second row in sections.
For a thicker spiral, add one final sc row along the outer edge.
Design A. Moon Topper
Moon: yellow MR6, inc12, (sc,inc)=18, work 3 rounds even, (sc,dec)=12, dec6. Stuff lightly.
Curve into crescent and tack inner edges closer with hidden stitches.
Night cap: lavender MR5; work 5 sc for2 rounds, then increase to8 and10; work 2 rounds. Add white cuff and pompom.
Cloud: ch6, work 3 hdc in one stitch, 4 dc in next, 3 hdc in next, sc in remaining stitches. Make 2 or 3 cloud puffs.
Star: MR10, make 5 chain points as in a basic five-point star.
Use a blue, lavender and cream spiral. Sew small stars and clouds along the turns.
Design B. Strawberry Cluster
Large strawberry: red MR6, inc12, work 12 sc for2 rounds, then (sc,dec)=8, stuff, dec4 and close.
Top leaves: green MR5, repeat 5 times: ch4, sc back3 ch, sl st in ring.
Make 3 large strawberries and 2 to 3 smaller ones with 9 to 10 sts around.
Daisy: yellow MR6, join white; repeat 6 times *(ch3, 2dc, ch3, sl st in same st)*.
Leaves: ch8, sc, hdc, 4dc, hdc, sc, 3sc in final ch, mirror back.
Use pink and cream spiral. Sew strawberries, daisies and leaves along the outside curve.
Design C. Jellyfish Topper
Jellyfish cap: light blue MR6, inc12, (sc,inc)=18, (2sc,inc)=24, work 4 rounds even.
Ruffle: FLO *(sl st, ch3, 2dc in same st, sl st in next)* around.
Face: add eyes and a small embroidered smile.
Tentacles: make 6 chains from 22 to 40 stitches; work 2 sc in each ch back for curly tentacles.
Shell applique: cream MR6, inc12, then surface stitch ridges from center outward.
Starfish: MR5, make 5 short chain points.
Use blue, aqua and lavender spiral. Attach shell, starfish and a few pearl beads.
Design D. Hot-Air Balloon with Bear Basket
Balloon: work sphere in color blocks. MR6, inc12, (sc,inc)=18, (2sc,inc)=24, (3sc,inc)=30, work 6 rounds even, then decrease in reverse order while stuffing.
To make vertical stripes, carry 3 or 4 colors and change every 7 to 8 stitches, or make the sphere solid and embroider stripe lines later.
Basket: brown ch12, join; work 12 sc for5 rounds, then close base with a small circle.
Bear head: MR6, inc12, (sc,inc)=18, 3 rounds even, decrease to12, stuff and close.
Ears: MR6, fold circle in half. Make2.
Sew bear head into basket. Attach basket below balloon with 4 short cords.
Use pastel rainbow spiral below the basket and add tiny flowers or clouds.
Bottom Drop
At the spiral end attach a small jump ring or strong yarn loop.
Add one pearl bead above a faceted acrylic or glass drop.
If the hanging is for a child space, replace the hard drop with a crocheted ball