Three playful vertical Christmas hangings combining a character topper with a long corkscrew spiral body. The set includes a snowman with a black top hat, a Santa with a red hat and beard, and a green Christmas tree with tiny bobble ornaments.
Finished size: approximately 35 to 50 cm long each, depending on yarn, hook and blocking.
What you’ll need
DK yarn
3 to 3.5 mm hook
small amount of stuffing
safety eyes or embroidered eyes
tiny buttons or beads
small ornament charms for the bottom
Suggested colors
white
red
green
black
brown
gold
orange
blue optional
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 the character head/body topper first.
Crochet a long spiral strip or corkscrew cord beneath each topper.
Use contrasting trim along one side of the spiral.
Attach a small ball, bell, snowflake or star at the bottom.
Snowman topper
Crochet a small white sphere or cylinder for the head. Add a black top hat, orange nose and embroidered smile. A short red scarf can be tied or sewn around the neck.
Santa topper
Make a small peach or cream face with white beard loops, red hat and red body. Add a black belt with a tiny gold buckle.
Tree topper
Work a cone from green yarn, increasing toward the bottom. Add bobble-stitch branches or scalloped rounds, then sew on tiny red and gold bobbles. Finish with a gold star.
Spiral body
Ch 70 to 100. Starting in the second chain, work 3 hdc or 3 dc into each chain to create a natural corkscrew. For a wider ribbon spiral, work 2 or 3 rows before increasing heavily on the outer edge.
Assembly
Sew the top of the spiral firmly beneath the character. Add a hanging loop at the top and a lightweight ornament or crocheted ball at the lower end.
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 pastel colors for a softer nursery-style set.
Make all three with matching spiral colors for a collection.
Add initials or a year to turn them into personalized gifts.
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. |