The Evergreen Gilded Lace Bell is a small, three-dimensional Christmas bell made in deep forest-green cotton thread, with fine gold lines that trace each tier of lace. A gold beaded picot edge finishes the flared bottom, and a round gold clapper swings just below the rim. A green chain loop with a tiny gold ring at the top lets it hang straight from a branch.
The look is classic lace with a little sparkle. Green shells and open chain spaces make the lace. Each gold round follows the tops of the shells, so it forms a soft wave that climbs to a point above every shell and dips between them. The tiers get wider as you go down, which gives the bell its shape.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished bell measures 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall from the top to the picot tips and 3.75 in (9.5 cm) across the bottom edge. The hanging loop adds 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above.
You work the bell as one piece, top-down in joined rounds, starting from a small eight-spoke wheel. Gold sc rounds separate the four green lace tiers, and two gold rounds make the border. Then you make a stuffed gold ball clapper and a chain loop, starch the bell over a form, and assemble it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) bottom diameter
- Skill level: Intermediate (thread work, joined rounds, color changes)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Size 10 crochet thread (Lace, 0)
- Hook: 1.5 mm (US steel size 8)
- Number of pieces: 1 bell, plus 1 small clapper ball and 1 chain loop
- Layout: A single standalone ornament. Nothing is joined to other motifs.
- Piece size before border (after Rnd 12): 3 in (7.6 cm) tall x 3.5 in (8.9 cm) bottom diameter
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm)
- Repeats: 8 pattern repeats in every round
Materials
Use mercerized cotton thread. It holds crisp stitch definition and takes starch well. For the gold, choose a metallic size 10 thread or a gold-colored cotton with a metallic strand. Make sure both threads are about the same thickness so the gold rounds don’t pucker.
- Forest green, size 10 thread: 10 g, about 56 m
- Gold metallic, size 10 thread: 6 g, about 34 m
Both amounts include a margin of about 30% for swatching and joins.
Tools:
- 1.5 mm (US steel size 8) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle with a small eye
- Scissors
- A small pinch of polyester fiberfill, or a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wooden bead
- Fabric stiffener or a sugar-starch solution
- A blocking form: a small cone, cup, or egg-shaped object about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across at the base, wrapped in plastic
- Rustproof pins
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
- V-st – (dc, ch 2, dc) in the same st or sp
- Shell – (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in the same st or sp
- Large shell – (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the same sp
- Picot – ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook
Joining note: When a round starts with ch 3, the ch 3 counts as 1 dc. When it starts with ch 5, the ch 5 counts as 1 dc plus ch 2. Join every round with a sl st to the top of the beginning chain.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Make Rnds 1–4 first as your test piece. Gauge is 12 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm) in gold sc. Rnds 1–3, laid flat, should measure about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across.
The bell isn’t flat, so use the circumference of each gold round as your checkpoint. Wrap a soft tape around the round, or lay a piece of thread along it and measure the thread.
| After round | Total sts | Circumference | Diameter | Height from top |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rnd 4 (gold) | 64 sc | 5.3 in (13.5 cm) | 1.7 in (4.3 cm) | 1 in (2.5 cm) |
| Rnd 7 (gold) | 80 sc | 6.7 in (17.0 cm) | 2.1 in (5.3 cm) | 1.75 in (4.4 cm) |
| Rnd 10 (gold) | 96 sc | 8 in (20.3 cm) | 2.5 in (6.4 cm) | 2.4 in (6.1 cm) |
| Rnd 13 (gold) | 144 sc | 12 in (30.5 cm) | 3.8 in (9.7 cm) | 3.1 in (7.9 cm) |
If Rnd 4 is larger than 5.3 in (13.5 cm) around, switch to a 1.25 mm hook. If it is smaller, switch to a 1.75 mm hook. Small differences matter at this scale. A gauge just 1 sc per inch off changes the bottom diameter by about 0.3 in (0.8 cm).
Bell Pattern
Use green unless a round says otherwise.
Tier 1: Wheel and Dome
Rnd 1: Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form a ring. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), [dc in ring, ch 1] 7 times. Join to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. (8 dc, 8 ch-1 sps; 16 sts)
These 8 dc are the wheel spokes. They set the 8 repeats for the whole bell.
Rnd 2: Sl st in first ch-1 sp. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, [2 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 7 times. Join. (16 dc, 8 ch-1 sps; 24 sts)
Rnd 3: Sl st in next dc and in next ch-1 sp. Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, ch 1, [shell in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] 7 times. Join. (8 shells: 32 dc, 8 shell ch-2 sps, 8 ch-1 sps; 56 sts) Fasten off green.
Rnd 4 (gold): Join gold with a sc in any shell ch-2 sp, then work 2 more sc in the same sp. Sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in each of next 2 dc, 3 sc in next shell ch-2 sp; rep from * 6 more times. Sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in each of next 2 dc. Join to first sc. (8 sc per repeat; 64 sc)* Fasten off gold.
The 3-sc group above each shell makes the peak of the gold wave. The single sc in each ch-1 sp makes the dip.
Tier 2: Upper Body
Rnd 5: Join green with a sl st in the center sc of any 3-sc peak. Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 2), dc in same st (first V-st made). Ch 2, sk 3 sc, dc in next sc (the valley sc), ch 2, sk 3 sc. V-st in next sc (center of peak), ch 2, sk 3 sc, dc in next sc, ch 2, sk 3 sc; rep from * 6 more times. Join to 3rd ch of beg ch-5. (9 sts per repeat; 72 sts: 24 dc, 24 ch-2 sps)*
Check: between peak centers there are 7 sc. You skip 3, work 1, and skip 3.
Rnd 6: Sl st in first V-st ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp. Ch 2, sk next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next ch-2 sp. Shell in next V-st sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp; rep from * 6 more times. Join. (11 sts per repeat; 88 sts: 40 dc)* Fasten off green.
Rnd 7 (gold): Join gold with a sc in any shell ch-2 sp, and work 2 more sc in the same sp. Sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next dc, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 2 dc, 3 sc in next shell sp; rep from * 6 more times, ending the last repeat after the 2 dc. Join. (10 sc per repeat; 80 sc)* Fasten off.
Working only 1 sc into each ch-2 sp gives 80 sc, fewer than the 88 sts below. This pulls the round in slightly and forms the bell’s shoulder.
Tier 3: Lower Body
Rnd 8: Join green with a sl st in the center sc of any peak. Ch 5, dc in same st. Ch 2, sk 3 sc, dc in each of next 3 sc, ch 2, sk 3 sc. V-st in center sc of next peak, ch 2, sk 3 sc, dc in each of next 3 sc, ch 2, sk 3 sc; rep from * 6 more times. Join. (11 sts per repeat; 88 sts: 40 dc)*
Check: there are 9 sc between peak centers, so you skip 3, work 3, and skip 3. The 3-dc group sits right over the single dc of Rnd 6.
Rnd 9: Sl st in first V-st sp. Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp. Ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp. Shell in next V-st sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp; rep from * 6 more times. Join. (13 sts per repeat; 104 sts: 56 dc)* Fasten off green.
Rnd 10 (gold): Join gold with 3 sc in any shell sp. Sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 2 dc, 3 sc in next shell sp; rep from * around, ending the last repeat after the 2 dc. Join. (12 sc per repeat; 96 sc)* Fasten off.
Tier 4: Flared Skirt
Rnd 11: Join green with a sl st in the center sc of any peak. Ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same st. Ch 2, sk 3 sc, dc in each of next 5 sc, ch 2, sk 3 sc. Shell in center sc of next peak, ch 2, sk 3 sc, dc in each of next 5 sc, ch 2, sk 3 sc; rep from * 6 more times. Join. (15 sts per repeat; 120 sts: 72 dc)*
Check: there are 11 sc between peak centers. You skip 3, work 5, and skip 3.
Rnd 12: Sl st in next dc and in shell ch-2 sp. Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp. Ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp. Large shell in next shell sp, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in each of next 5 dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp; rep from * 6 more times. Join. (17 sts per repeat; 136 sts: 88 dc)* Fasten off green.
The bell should now be 3 in (7.6 cm) tall and about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across the bottom when you hold it open.
Border
Border gauge: 12 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as every gold round.
Rnd 13 (gold): Join gold with 3 sc in any large-shell ch-2 sp. Sc in each of next 3 dc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 5 dc, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, 3 sc in next large-shell sp; rep from * around, ending the last repeat after the 3 dc. Join. (18 sc per repeat; 144 sc)*
Each repeat works out as 3 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 3 = 18 sc. The 2 sc in each ch-2 sp are on purpose. They add 16 sc compared with the 1-sc method, and those extra stitches let the rim flare.
Rnd 14 (gold): Ch 1, sc in each of next 2 sc, picot; rep from * 71 more times. Join to first sc. (144 sc, 72 picots; 9 picots per repeat)* Fasten off.
Why the math works: 144 is divisible by 2, so the 2-sc-plus-picot pattern ends exactly at the join, with no partial repeat. 144 sc at 12 sc per inch gives 12 in (30.5 cm) around. That’s a diameter of 3.8 in (9.7 cm) at the rim, which matches the 3.75 in (9.5 cm) finished width once the bell is starched and the picots curl slightly inward.
Clapper, Top Ring, and Hanging Loop
Clapper ball (gold):
- Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, then work 6 sc in the ring. (6)
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
- Rnd 3: [Sc, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18)
- Rnds 4–5: Sc in each st. (18)
- Rnd 6: [Sc, sc2tog] 6 times. (12) Stuff firmly, or insert the bead.
- Rnd 7: Sc2tog 6 times. (6)
Do not fasten off. Ch 36, which is about 3 in (7.6 cm), to make the clapper cord, then fasten off and leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail. The ball measures about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across.
Top ring (gold): Ch 8, sl st to form a ring. Work 14 sc in the ring and join. Fasten off. The ring is about 0.4 in (1.0 cm) across.
Hanging loop (green): Ch 35, then sl st in first ch to form a loop. Leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Assembly: Thread the clapper cord up through the center of Rnd 1 from inside the bell. Pull it through the gold top ring, then tie it to the base of the hanging loop. Adjust the cord so about half of the ball hangs below the picot edge, roughly 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Knot the cord securely, then weave all the tails into the gold ring.
Final Blocking
- Wrap your form in plastic. It should be about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across at the base.
- Soak the bell in stiffener and squeeze out the extra. Leave the clapper unstarched.
- Slide the bell over the form and line up Rnd 1 at the very top.
- Ease each tier into place so the gold waves run level all the way around.
- Pin the 8 shell points of Rnd 12 evenly. Then pull the bottom edge out to 3.75 in (9.5 cm) across.
- Open every picot with a pin tip.
- Let it dry completely, for 12–24 hours. Then lift the bell off the form and attach the clapper.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- You have 8 even repeats in every round, with 8 gold peaks in each gold round.
- The gold rounds counted 64, 80, 96, and 144 sc.
- Rnd 14 has 72 picots spaced evenly, with no gap at the join.
- The bell is 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall and 3.75 in (9.5 cm) across the bottom.
- The clapper hangs centered, with about 0.5 in (1.3 cm) showing below the rim.
- The loop holds the bell level and doesn’t tilt it.
- All tails are woven in and none show through the lace.
Troubleshooting
- The dome ruffles: You probably have extra dc in Rnd 2 or Rnd 3. Recount to 24 and 56 sts.
- The gold rounds pucker: The gold is thicker or tighter than the green. Loosen your tension, or go up 0.25 mm for the gold rounds only.
- The peaks don’t line up: You joined on the wrong sc. Always start the green rounds in the center sc of a 3-sc peak.
- The rim flares too much: Work 1 sc instead of 2 sc in the ch-2 sps of Rnd 13 (128 sc). Then work [sc in next 2 sc, picot] 64 times in Rnd 14.
- The bell collapses after blocking: Use more stiffener, or apply a second coat.
- The clapper hangs crooked: Retie the cord directly at the center of the top ring.
Care
Spot clean only, with a damp cloth. Store the bell flat in a box with tissue inside it so it keeps its shape, and re-starch if it softens.
Final Notes
The measurement chain runs from start to finish. With a gauge of 12 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), the gold rounds grow from 64 to 80 to 96 sc. They measure 5.3 in (13.5 cm), 6.7 in (17.0 cm), and 8 in (20.3 cm) around. Rnd 12 brings the bell to 3 in (7.6 cm) tall and 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across. The 144-sc border, at 12 in (30.5 cm) around, adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) and finishes the bell at 3.25 in (8.3 cm) by 3.75 in (9.5 cm). If you check each gold round as you go, your bell will hang straight and sparkle on the tree.
Happy crocheting!