Introduction
Bring a handmade touch to your holiday décor with these charming spiral crochet Christmas tree ornaments. These ornaments have a delightful three-dimensional spiral shape and come in classic holiday shades—vibrant red, evergreen, and soft cream—all topped with a golden crocheted star and finished with a small gold bead at the bottom. The coil of the spiral mimics the whimsical look of a Christmas tree, making each ornament festive and full of cheerful texture. With a neat gold hanging loop and shimmering accent bead, these ornaments look beautiful hanging on a tree, decorating gifts, or brightening up a workspace or mantle.
Making these spiral Christmas trees is an enjoyable project for any crocheter looking for a quick yet impressive festive project. The smooth spiral is easy to work up and gives a satisfying result with every coil. Whether you use traditional colors or create your own modern palette, these ornaments are perfect for gifting, decorating, and showing off your crafty skills during the holidays. The simple construction and instantly recognizable design make this a must-try crochet pattern for all your Christmas celebrations.
Project Overview
This spiral Christmas tree ornament is made using single crochet stitches in continuous rows, worked long and then naturally coiled to form the tree’s spiral. The main tree is a tapered strip that creates its curl as you crochet. The star topper is made separately and sewn to the top, with a gold thread loop for hanging and a small bead sewn on the base for added charm. The project requires only basic seaming for assembly, making it straightforward and satisfying.
- Main spiral: crocheted in rows, then spiraled
- Star topper: crocheted separately
- Bead and hanging loop: attached during finishing
Skill Level
This project is suitable for advanced beginners and above. It uses basic stitches—single crochet and slip stitch—but involves shaping and constructing the spiral, simple increases, and making and joining small parts. Some experience with color changes and sewing on motifs is helpful, but not required.
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn (category 4) in three colors: classic green, festive red, and soft cream; gold/light yellow for the star topper; small amount of gold thread for hanging loops.
- Amounts: Approximately 20g (15 meters/16 yd) for the main tree in each ornament color, less than 5g (3 meters/3 yd) gold/yellow for the star, and about 30cm (12 inches) metallic thread per ornament for the hanging loop.
- Crochet hook: 3.5mm (E-4) or size needed for a tight, sturdy fabric.
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembly.
- Sharp scissors.
- Stitch markers (optional, for marking rows or star points).
- Small gold beads or bells (8-10mm, optional, one per ornament).
Finished Size
The finished Christmas tree ornament measures approximately 13 cm (5 inches) tall, including the star and bead, and about 5.5 cm (2.25 inches) wide at the base of the spiral. The size can be adjusted by altering yarn weight, hook size, or the length of the spiral strip before coiling. To make larger ornaments, use thicker yarn and a bigger hook; for smaller versions, use lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this project, but for reference: 20 single crochets x 22 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) in single crochet with suggested yarn and hook. Consistency is more important than exact gauge—tighter tension produces a firmer, more upright spiral, while loose tension may cause the spiral to droop. Adjust hook size if necessary to match your preferred fabric.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- sl st: slip stitch
- MR: magic ring
- st(s): stitch(es)
- FO: fasten off
Pattern Notes
- The spiral strip is worked flat in rows, with increases only at the start to shape the top taper. Then the strip naturally coils into a spiral shape when manipulated.
- Turning chains do not count as stitches unless specified.
- For a tidy finish, change colors at the end of a row and crochet over the tail for a seamless transition (if making a two-tone tree, optional).
- Work the star topper separately in joined rounds, then sew it to the top of the tree.
- Pin the spiral in shape before attaching the bead or star for best results.
- Stitch markers help keep track of row counts—especially important as the spiral grows longer.
Crochet Pattern Instructions
Main Spiral Tree
- Foundation: With chosen tree color, ch 51.
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (50)
- Row 2–3 (Shaping Top): Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog (first 2 sts), sc in each st to end. (Row 2: 49 sts; Row 3: 48 sts)
- Rows 4–50: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. Maintain 48 sts per row through the remainder. The length of the strip determines how many coils the spiral tree will have; 50 rows (counting top shaping) creates about 6 to 7 tiered coils.
- End: FO, leaving a long tail for shaping/assembly.
- Shaping Spiral: Starting from the smaller, shaped end, begin naturally twisting the strip downward to form a spiral. Guide the spiral so each tier overlaps slightly, resembling a Christmas tree shape. Use the long tail to secure the spiral by making a few invisible stitches at the back (catching each layer lightly, so the spiral holds its shape but remains springy). Set aside.
Star Topper
- Round 1: With gold/yellow yarn, make a MR, ch 1, 10 sc in ring. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (10)
- Round 2 (Star Points, worked continuously):
- *Ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in next st on the ring.* Repeat from * to * 5 times total, forming 5 star points. FO, weave in the end at the base.
Bead or Bell Attachment
- Thread the long starting tail of the spiral through the gold bead or bell, then secure it snugly at the bottom tip of the tree by knotting or sewing in place. Hide the remaining end inside the spiral if needed.
Hanging Loop
- Cut a 30 cm (12 in) strand of gold thread. Thread it through the top point of the crocheted star. Tie the ends together securely to form a loop for hanging.
Assembly
- Sew the star topper to the very top of the spiral tree, positioning it centrally so the tree stands upright when hanging.
- Weave in all yarn ends securely.
Assembly and Finishing
With all separate pieces complete, carefully spiral the main tree strip, working it into a natural coil. Pin the layers together if desired. Use the long tail (from finishing the spiral) and a tapestry needle to make a few strategic stitches on the back of the piece, gently anchoring each spiral layer to the one above it. This holds the shape but allows some movement for a natural look.
Attach the star topper to the topmost tip of the spiral, aligning the center point of the star to the middle of the spiral’s pointed end. Stitch securely in place from the back, hiding the sewing for a neat finish.
Thread the metallic hanging loop through the top of the star and tie securely. Attach the gold bead (or bell) to the pointed end of the spiral, anchoring it firmly with the spiral’s yarn tail and knotting securely on the inside. Trim any excess threads. Block the ornament gently if needed by steaming lightly (optional, especially for cotton yarns) to encourage the spiral shape to hold. Your ornament is ready to hang!
Customization Ideas
- Color: Use all green for a traditional look, classic red for a bold statement, or cream for a modern, elegant effect. Try multi-colored stripes or a gradient yarn for a unique twist. Add tiny sewn-on beads or sequins for a sparkling effect.
- Yarn weight: Use bulky yarn for jumbo ornaments or sport-weight yarn for mini versions (adjust hook size accordingly and shorten the starting chain).
- Hanging options: Replace gold thread with ribbon, twine, or jute for a rustic look. Change the star color to silver or glitter yarn.
- Uses: Attach to gifts as a tag, string onto a garland, or use as a unique napkin ring for holiday tables.
Troubleshooting
- Curling issues: If the spiral strip will not coil tightly, tension may be too loose. Use a smaller hook or firmer yarn to encourage a more structured spiral. If it curls too tightly, block lightly or add more rows for a looser coil.
- Uneven edges: Check that you’re not accidentally adding or missing stitches at the beginning/end of rows; stitch markers help keep count.
- Piece too large or small: Double-check your starting chain and row count against the instructions. Adjust hook size or add/subtract rows/chains to modify proportions.
- Loose color changes: If making stripes, carry yarn neatly up the edge or cut and rejoin for a tidier finish. Crochet over ends for a seamless transition.
- Uneven tension: Relax your grip and try practicing a few rows before starting the final strip. Consistency makes assembly easier and ornament neater.
Care Instructions
Gently hand wash ornaments in cool water with mild soap. Squeeze—do not wring—excess water out, then lay flat to air dry. Avoid exposure to excessive heat or moisture. Store flat or hang in a dry spot to preserve the spiral shape. If the ornament loses its shape, reshape or lightly steam back into its original curl.
Final Notes
Always count stitches after each row for a neat, symmetrical spiral, and periodically check the shape as you assemble. Adjust tension to your preference and don’t hesitate to block for extra crispness. Use the included photo as inspiration for color and embellishment ideas to create a festive set that reflects your personal holiday style!
