Miniature crocheted Christmas trees make for the kind of handmade ornament that people actually want to receive. They are small enough to work up quickly, charming enough to stand out on any tree and personal in a way that nothing store bought ever quite manages.
This pattern produces a spiral that naturally coils into a tree shape, widening toward the base and tapering to a point at the top. Simple in construction but delightful in the finished result.
Worsted weight yarn works well here, and this is an ideal project for burning through leftover scraps from the stash. Each tree uses very little yarn, which means a whole collection of them can be made from odds and ends that might otherwise sit unused indefinitely.
The Pattern
Crochet Spiral Christmas Tree
Ch 25, 3 tr in 4th ch from hook, 3 tr in each of the next 6 ch sp, 3 dc in each of the next 6 ch, 3 hdc in each of the next 4 ch, 3 sc in the next 3 ch, 1 sl st in each of the next 2 ch.
The finished piece is a long spiral that is broadest at one end and narrows toward the other. That graduated width is what allows it to be coiled into a convincing tree shape in the next step.
Assembly and Shaping
Coil the spiral into a cone shape, working from the widest end upward so that the narrowest point becomes the treetop. Once the shape looks right, tack it together with a few stitches of yarn to hold everything in place permanently. A helpful video from Crochet Geek demonstrating a similar technique, including a clear explanation of how to stitch the tree so it maintains its structure, can be found here.
Decoration
Once the tree is shaped and secured, the decorating begins. Some options worth considering:
- Sequins — scattered across the branches for a glittery effect
- Yarn ornaments — created using French knots, an embroidery technique that produces small raised dots of color that read beautifully as miniature baubles
- Beads — threaded on and nestled between the branches
- Ribbon — woven through for an added decorative layer
There are no rules here. Each tree ends up looking slightly different depending on the embellishments chosen, which makes a whole batch of them feel varied and interesting rather than identical.
The Finishing Touch
Cut a length of natural twine and loop it through the top of the tree to create a hanger. Tie a small bow at the base of the loop for a little extra sweetness. The tree is now ready to hang.
A word of caution for anyone sharing a home with a dog: these ornaments are apparently indistinguishable from chew toys as far as most dogs are concerned. Keep them out of reach and consider it fair warning.