Crochet a Feathered Ball Ornament- Free Christmas Pattern

This feather ornament is a very three-dimensional bauble that is wonderful for Christmas decorating or as a gift. 

I’m so excited to share with you this beautiful and classic feathered ornament that can be used as a decoration on a Christmas gift or to hang on your Christmas tree.

This project is for intermediate level crocheters as it uses the crocodile stitch and works in rounds.

About This Project

This feathery ornament is great for anyone who wants to make a unique ornament, either for themselves or for others. If you’ve never done a stitch like the crocodile stitch before, this may also be an enjoyable challenge.

Working the crocodile stitch in rounds (and around the foam craft ball that fills out the shape), does add one more element to crocheting this project.

Sizing 

The craft ball/foam ball that I used as the inside of this ornament is 3” in diameter. Covering this foam core with crochet that is very three-dimensional makes the final ornament a little bit larger. 

Materials Needed

To create this ornament for yourself, you’ll need the following: 

• E/3.5mm hook
• 3” foam craft ball(or a close size)
• 60 yards of fingering weight yarn 

For my first version of the feather ball ornament, I used the WeCrochet Hawthorne yarn in spark speckle. This created very natural-looking “feathers”. 

The second one that I crocheted is made in lots of different colors of embroidery thread. This created a really fun result (and is also the version you’ll see if you watch the video tutorial). However, it’s worth noting that the embroidery floss is a bit thinner than fingering weight, so the “feathers” don’t have quite the same look. 

Skill Level

While the crocodile stitch mainly uses double crochet stitches, it can seem rather intimidating. The thing to know about this stitch is that each row of “scales”/”feathers” that you see in this stitch is actually made using two rows of crochet (or in this case, rounds since we are working in a circle for this project). One row creates a foundation, and the second row in the repeat puts all of the visible stitches on the top of the first row. 

Abbreviation Used

•  CH – chain (yarn over, pull loop through)  
• DC-double crochet
• REP-Repeat
• SS-slip stitch(insert hook, yarn over, draw up a loop through the work and through the loop on your hook) 
• ST/STS – stitch/stitches

Gauge

The gauge for this project is 16 sts by 8 rows of dc per 4×4” square.

Feathered Ornament Pattern Directions

Round 1: ch 3-4 and ss to close. Alternatively, you can use a magic circle here and start with round 2.

Round 2: ch3 and then dc *ch2, dc2* rep 4x more(5x total). ch2 and ss into the top of your first chain.

Round 3: ch3, work 4dc around your ch3 from row 2. Ch1. Turn your work and work 4dc into the first dc from round 2. Skip the next pair of dc from round 2.*dc5 around the next dc from the previous row. Ch1, and then dc5 around the next dc from the previous row(the second in that pair). Skip the next set of dc from the previous row.* Repeat once.

To finish this round, insert your hook in the first dc of the first scale that you worked in this round. SS both loops on your hook in-between the last pair of dc that you skipped. You should have 3 ”scales” when finished with row 3.

Round 4: For this round, you are going to make 12 sets of 2dc going around your work. Each set is still separated by a ch2. These sets of dc go in-between each scale, in the middle of each scale, and also in the middle of the top of each scale.

Starting at the end of your previous round, ch3(counts as a dc) dc in the same place. Ch2.

*put 2dc in the middle of the next scale top. ch2, put 2dc in the top of the scale center. Ch2, put 2dc in to the middle of the top of the next scale top(you are still on the same scale, but on the other side). Ch2, put 2dc in between that scale and the next.*

Repeat that sequence once more, and start to repeat it again, but stop between the last and first scale. Since you already put a ch2 and a dc there, simply ss to close the round after your ch2.

Round 5: ch3, work 4dc around your ch3 from the previous row. Ch1. Turn your work and work 4dc into the first dc from the previous row. Skip the next pair of dc from the previous row.

*dc5 around the next dc from the previous row. Ch1, and then dc5 around the next dc from the previous row(the second in that pair). Skip the next set of dc from the previous row.*

Repeat for the remainder of the round to do the rest of the scales.

To finish this round, insert your hook in the first dc of the first scale that you worked in this round. SS both loops on your hook in-between the last pair of dc that you skipped.

You should have 6 ”scales” when finished with row 5. (done with increasing)

Round 6: ch3, dc in the same place.

*ch2, dc2 in the center of the next scale, ch2, dc2 in-between that scale and the next one* Repeat 4x.

Ch2, dc2 in the center of the last scale. Ch2 and ss in the top of your ch3 to close.

Round 7: Repeat round 5. You should have 6 scales again, and they should be laying on top of the joins between your last set of scales. Rounds 8-11: Repeat rounds 6-7 twice more.

(In round 12, we are simply omitting the ch2 spaces in-between our sets of 2dc. If you haven’t already, go ahead and put your foam craft ball inside of the work. )

Round 12: ch3, dc in the same place. * dc2 in the center of the next scale, dc2 in- between that scale and the next one* Repeat 4x. Dc2 in the center of the last scale. ss in the top of your ch3 to close.

Round 13: Repeat round 5 again. In round 14, only put set of dc in between the scales.

Round 14: ch3, dc in the same place. *dc2 in each space between the scales. When finished, Ss to close.

Round 15: repeat round 5 again. This time, you should end up with 3 scales. Leave about 12” and cut off your yarn.

Using a large needle, thread your yarn tail and weave it through the top of rows 14/15(the flat tops of your last three scales.

Gather the yarn right to close the last remaining space at the top. Then, make a hanging loop with some of the remaining yarn and trim the extra.

 Enjoy your finished project! 

Final Thoughts

It’s been great having you at Amelia Makes today! If you like this project, be sure to get on the list for updates and so you can be the first to see new projects just like this one. Each week I send crochet tips and tutorials, behind-the-scenes info, and other resources for my readers. Plus, as a bonus for signing up you’ll immediately get my mini bundle of surprise patterns straight to your inbox!

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Keep the Crafting Delightful!

Amelia

Using the Crocodile Stitch, this ornament design creates a very “feathery” affect. 

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