Five long, vertical strands hang side by side in red, white, and green, each one a stack of small crocheted motifs separated by gold beads. Every strand starts with a loop of braided or twisted cord and a wooden bead at the top, then runs down to a gold jingle bell at the bottom. The first has a red poinsettia in a white scalloped frame, a red-and-white striped coil, a bow, and a ruffled bell shape. The second is built from peppermint swirl balls and ends in a candy cane with a holly bow. The third is a layered Christmas tree with a star, above a coil and a red gift box with a ribbon. The fourth is a snowman in a red knit hat and scarf, above a white coil and a snowflake. The fifth is a white poinsettia-and-snowflake medallion above a coil and a small cottage with a red door and lit windows.
This post covers what the photo shows and how you could build something similar. The sizes and materials below are starting points, since the image shows the finished decorations and not the original instructions.
How the strands are put together
What stands out is the modular construction. Each strand is a vertical chain of separate pieces, linked by beads and thread rather than crocheted as one long item. That has practical benefits: you can make the motifs in any order, swap them between strands, and fix one without redoing the rest.
From the photo, each strand follows a similar rhythm:
- A hanging loop of cord or braided yarn, with a large wooden-style bead.
- A topper motif, such as a poinsettia, a peppermint, a tree top, a snowman head, or a snowflake medallion.
- A coil or spiral in the middle, in candy-stripe or solid colors.
- A bottom motif, such as a bell, a candy cane, a gift box, a snowflake, or a house.
- A gold bell at the very end.
Gold and pearl-like beads sit between the sections. They add spacing and a bit of weight, which helps the strands hang straight.
The flat motifs
The poinsettias and snowflakes look like flat, layered rounds. A red or white flower is worked in the round with long petals, then sewn onto a larger scalloped white backing with dark green leaves peeking out. A bead or pearl sits at the center. A similar effect could be built by crocheting the flower, a larger scalloped disc, and a small leaf cluster separately, then stacking them.
The scalloped white outer shape looks like a round of shell or picot stitches, which gives the lacy, snowflake-like edge. Make the scallops slightly looser than the body of the motif so they don’t pull it into a cup.
The peppermint balls
The peppermint pieces look like small stuffed spheres or discs with alternating red and white spiral stripes. A close match can be made by working a flat circle that changes color every few stitches in each round, so the stripes radiate outward, then curving it into a shallow dome or a stuffed ball. Carry the unused yarn loosely along the back so the fabric doesn’t pucker. A small gold bead between each peppermint keeps them from squashing together.
The spirals
The coils are a recurring feature, and they appear in red-and-white, green-and-white, and solid white. They look like narrow crocheted strips, striped diagonally or wrapped around a central bead strand. A comparable method:
- Crochet a long, narrow strip with a color change every one or two rows for the stripes.
- Wrap it around the central thread or around a thin wire core, securing at both ends.
- Gently shape each loop around a dowel so the spacing stays even.
Tying the strip to the beaded strand at a few points keeps it from sliding.
The tree, snowman, and cottage
Tree. Dark green layers with white scalloped trim at each tier, red and gold bead ornaments, and a small gold star on top. Work the tiers as separate cone-like rings, getting wider toward the bottom, then stack them on a stuffed core.
Snowman. A cream face with a small orange nose, black bead eyes, and pink cheeks, wearing a red hat with a white pompom and a holly sprig. The scarf is a red-and-green stripe with fringe. A small round head gives it room to hang without twisting.
Cottage. A white house with a red roof, a red door with a wreath, and small glowing windows. It looks like a flat box shape, sewn from rectangles, with a roof piece added on top. Embroidery or small felt squares can make the windows.
Gift box. A red cube with a cream ribbon and bow, topped with a holly sprig. A flat square folded into a cube, or six squares joined, are two options.
Yarn and hook suggestions
The stitches look fine and dense, so a smaller hook than the yarn label recommends works best.
- Yarn: Cotton or cotton blend in fingering to sport weight. Red, white or cream, dark green, a little black, orange, and pink for the snowman.
- Hook: A starting point is 1.5 to 2.0 mm. Aim for a firm fabric so the shapes hold.
- Embellishments: Gold and pearl beads in a few sizes, wooden beads for the top, 10 to 15 mm gold jingle bells, and thin craft wire for the spirals.
- Other supplies: Fiberfill, strong thread or fishing line for the bead strand, a fine needle, and fabric glue for knots.
Make one motif first and check how it sits. If the pieces look floppy, drop a hook size or use stiffer yarn.
Building a strand
- Make all motifs first, and block them lightly so they lie flat.
- Prepare the hanging loop with a braided cord and a wooden bead.
- Plan the order by laying everything out on the table before sewing.
- Thread the beads and motifs onto doubled thread, knotting between sections.
- Attach the coil by tying it at the top and bottom.
- Finish with the bell, secured with a double knot and a dab of glue.
Details that make a difference
Keeping strands straight. Use heavy-ish pieces near the bottom so gravity helps. A stuffed gift box or house does this job well.
Matching the set. Repeat the same beads, bell size, and cord across every strand so the group reads as a collection.
Hanging height. Vary the total length by a few centimeters from strand to strand, so they don’t collide in a draft.
Safety and care
The beads, bells, and wire make these better as display pieces for adults than as children’s toys. Knot every bead securely, and keep them away from pets. Spot clean with a damp cloth, since washing may loosen glued knots or bend wire.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make just one strand?
Yes. Each strand stands alone, so a single one works as a gift or a tree ornament.
Do I need wire in the spirals?
Not strictly, but it keeps the curves in shape.
Can I swap the motifs?
Easily. The modular build lets you mix any topper, coil, and bottom piece.
How long are they?
Likely 25 to 35 cm (10 to 14 inches) with the bell, depending on the number of motifs. This is an estimate, not an official measurement.