This lacy Christmas ornament ball has a cream openwork body and one deep burgundy panel running vertically down the front. Fine cream “spine” lines frame the panel and divide the ball into six lace sections. A snug ribbed cream band sits at the top, and a decorative gold cord loop finishes it for the tree.
The style is classic heirloom lace. Small shells and fans open from the bottom, form a lacy band around the middle, and then gather back toward the top. Because the burgundy panel uses the same stitches as the cream, the stripe looks symmetrical and intentional.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished ornament is 2.75 in (7.0 cm) in diameter, which fits the 2.5–3 in (6.4–7.6 cm) range of the original piece.
The ornament is worked in one piece from the bottom up, in rounds, over a 70 mm ball form. The burgundy panel is one of six sections. It is worked intarsia-style in turned rounds, so neither yarn floats across the lace. The top is finished with a ribbed band and a small crocheted arch that holds the gold cord.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) diameter; 3.25 in (8.3 cm) tall to the top of the band; 3.5 in (8.9 cm) including the arch
- Skill level: Intermediate (lace plus two-color turned rounds)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Super fine (#1) mercerized cotton
- Hook: 2.25 mm (B-1)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: 6 vertical sections divided by 6 cream spines; Section 6 is burgundy
- Piece size: Fits a 2.75 in (7.0 cm) ball, 8.6 in (21.8 cm) around
- Size before border: Lace cover with a top opening about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) across
- Border depth: Top band about 0.4 in (1.0 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth, mercerized cotton of about 170–180 m per 50 g. It shows lace clearly and holds its shape. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarns because they blur the fans.
- Cream: 7 g (about 25 m)
- Deep burgundy: 3 g (about 11 m)
- 2.25 mm (B-1) crochet hook
- 70 mm (2.75 in / 7.0 cm) shatterproof ball ornament, in cream, gold, or clear
- 10 in (25.4 cm) gold metallic cord, about 1 mm thick
- Tapestry needle
- 2 stitch markers in contrasting colors
- Scissors
- Optional: spray starch or fabric stiffener
Quantities include roughly a 30% margin for gauge swatching and tails.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- fphdc / bphdc – front post / back post half double crochet
- MR – magic ring
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Special terms
- Spine: The single dc that lines up in a vertical column between sections. There are 6 spines per round. Each round’s spine dc is worked into the previous round’s spine dc.
- Spine unit: The spine dc plus any chains listed on either side of it. Spine units are always cream.
- Section: The lace between two spines. Sections 1–5 are cream. Section 6 is burgundy.
- Color change: Work the last stitch in the old color until 2 loops remain. Yarn over with the new color and pull through. Leave the old strand hanging, snug but not tight.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 7 dc = 1 in (2.5 cm). One dc round is about 0.33 in (0.8 cm) tall.
Work Rounds 1–3 as a test, then check them against your ball before continuing:
- After Round 1: The flat circle measures 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across.
- After Round 3: The cup opening measures about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across, relaxed.
- After Round 7: The edge measures about 8.5 in (21.6 cm) around, relaxed. On the ball, it reaches just past the equator.
- After Round 12: The opening measures about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) across and hugs the ball’s neck.
If the cover is too big or loose on the ball, change to a 2.0 mm hook. If it is too small or strains, change to a 2.5 mm hook. The lace should stretch slightly (about 0.1 in / 0.3 cm of negative ease at the equator) so that it grips the ball.
Pattern
Every round begins with ch 2, which does not count as a stitch, and ends with sl st to the first dc.
Round 1 (cream)
MR, ch 2, 12 dc in ring, join. Pull the ring fully closed. (12 dc)
Number the dc in order:
– Dc 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 are Spines 1–6.
– Dc 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 are Sections 1–6.
Put one marker in Spine 1 and the other in Section 6, the burgundy section.
Round Order for Rounds 2–12
Turn at the start of every round from Round 3 onward.
Even rounds (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12) – cream first:
1. Ch 2 in cream.
2. Work Spine 1 unit, skipping its leading chain.
3. Work Section 1, Spine 2 unit, Section 2, and continue through Spine 6 unit.
4. Change to burgundy on the last dc of Spine 6.
5. Work Section 6.
6. Work the leading chain of Spine 1 unit, if any, in burgundy.
7. Join with burgundy.
Odd rounds (3, 5, 7, 9, 11) – burgundy first:
1. Ch 2 in burgundy.
2. Work Section 6.
3. Change to cream on its last dc.
4. Work Spine 6 unit, Section 5, and continue through Section 1 and Spine 1 unit.
5. Join with cream to the first burgundy dc.
Why this works: Each yarn finishes exactly where the next round needs it. Cream never crosses the burgundy panel, and burgundy never crosses the cream.
Burgundy start: In Round 2, attach burgundy at the color change and leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Burgundy edge: In Rounds 6, 8, and 10, the one chain between Section 6 and Spine 1 falls in burgundy. It reads as part of the panel edge.
Because each unit is symmetrical, read it the same way in either direction.
Round 2
- Spine: dc in spine dc.
- Section: (dc, ch 2, dc) in section dc.
(18 dc, 6 ch-2 sps)
Round 3
- Spine: dc in spine dc.
- Section: sk 1 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, sk 1 dc.
(30 dc, 6 ch-2 sps)
Round 4 – Fans
- Spine: dc in spine dc.
- Section: sk 2 dc, 7 dc in ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc.
(48 dc)
Round 5
- Spine unit: ch 1, dc in spine dc, ch 1.
- Section: sk 1 dc, dc in next 2 dc, ch 2, sk center dc, dc in next 2 dc, sk 1 dc.
(30 dc, 12 ch-1 sps, 6 ch-2 sps)
Round 6 – Center Shells
- Spine unit: ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, dc in spine dc, ch 2, sk ch-1 sp.
- Section: sk 2 dc, 5 dc in ch-2 sp, sk 2 dc.
(36 dc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Round 7 – Equator
- Spine unit: ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, dc in spine dc, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp.
- Section: dc in next dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in center dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc.
(30 dc, 30 ch-1 sps)
Checkpoint: The edge measures about 8.5 in (21.6 cm) around, relaxed.
Round 8
- Spine unit: ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, dc in spine dc, ch 2, sk ch-1 sp.
- Section: sk (1 dc, ch-1 sp), dc in next dc, ch 2, sk ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, sk (ch-1 sp, 1 dc).
(18 dc, 18 ch-2 sps)
Insert the ball now. Remove the ball’s wire hanger and leave the cap on. Gently stretch the opening over the ball. Set the burgundy section facing you and the cap at the top.
Round 9
- Spine unit: ch 2, sk ch-2 sp, dc in spine dc, ch 2, sk ch-2 sp.
- Section: sk 1 dc, 3 dc in ch-2 sp, sk 1 dc.
(24 dc, 12 ch-2 sps)
Round 10
- Spine unit: ch 1, sk ch-2 sp, dc in spine dc, ch 1, sk ch-2 sp.
- Section: dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc.
(30 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)
Round 11
- Spine unit: ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, dc in spine dc, ch 1, sk ch-1 sp.
- Section: sk 1 dc, dc in next 2 dc, sk 1 dc.
(18 dc, 12 ch-1 sps)
Round 12
- Spine: sk ch-1 sp, dc in spine dc, sk ch-1 sp.
- Section: dc in next 2 dc.
(18 dc)
Fasten off burgundy. The cream strand is waiting at Spine 6.
Border: Top Ribbed Band and Hanging Arch
Border gauge: 7 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm). 18 sc = 2.6 in (6.6 cm) around, which fits the ball’s neck.
Band Round 1 (conversion): With the cream strand, insert the hook in the first burgundy dc of Round 12 and pull up a loop. Ch 1, then sc in the same st and in each st around. Join.
The count is 18 dc × 1 sc each + 0 extra = 18 sc. Per section, that is 3 sts: 1 spine + 2 section.
Band Round 2: Ch 2, fphdc around next st, bphdc around next st 9 times, join. (18 sts)
Band Round 3: Repeat Round 2, working fphdc around fphdc and bphdc around bphdc. (18 sts)
Why the math works: Round 12 already has 18 sts (6 spines + 6 × 2). The band converts them 1:1, so it neither flares nor pulls. Since 18 is even, it divides into 9 rib pairs.
Hanging arch:
1. Sl st in the next st.
2. Ch 8, sk 8 sts, sl st in the next st on the opposite side.
3. Work 12 sc over the ch-8.
4. Sl st in the band.
5. Fasten off.
The 8 chains measure about 1.1 in (2.8 cm), which is longer than the 0.8 in (2.0 cm) opening, so the arch rises above the cap.
Bottom finish: Thread the magic-ring tail through the 12 dc of Round 1. Cinch the tail closed and weave it in so the bottom is smooth and even.
Cord: Thread the gold cord through the arch and knot the ends together. The finished loop is about 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all tails along spine columns or inside dc stitches.
- Center the burgundy section on the front. Its spines should run straight from bottom to top.
- Nudge each fan and shell so it opens evenly.
- Mist the lace lightly with water or spray starch. For a firmer finish, brush on diluted stiffener.
- Let it dry fully on the ball, cap up, for several hours.
- Check that the band sits level and the arch stands upright.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Ball measures 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across and the lace is evenly snug
- Six cream spines run straight, with no spiraling
- Burgundy panel is centered and symmetrical
- Round 12 has 18 dc and the band has 18 sts per round
- Bottom is closed and smooth
- Arch is centered and the cord knot is secure
- All tails are hidden
Troubleshooting
Spines drift or spiral: You worked into a chain instead of the spine dc. Rip back and place each spine dc directly into the spine dc below it.
Gaps at the color change: Snug the hanging strand before working the next stitch. Each strand should lie against the spine.
Ball will not fit after Round 8: Insert it after Round 7 instead, then work Round 8 over it.
Cover is loose on the ball: Your gauge is too loose. Remake the piece with a 2.0 mm hook.
Band flares: Your post stitches are too loose. Work them tighter or use a 2.0 mm hook for the band only.
Fans look crowded: Make sure you skipped the stated dc on both sides of each section.
Care
Spot clean with a damp cloth. Store the ornament flat in tissue so it does not get crushed.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is:
– 7 dc = 1 in (2.5 cm)
– Round 1 is 0.75 in (1.9 cm) across
– Round 3’s opening is 1.75 in (4.4 cm)
– Round 7 measures 8.5 in (21.6 cm) around, fitting the ball’s 8.6 in (21.8 cm) with slight negative ease
– Round 12 has 18 dc, about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) across
– The 18-st band is 0.4 in (1.0 cm) deep
Check each point as you go, and the ornament will finish at 2.75 in (7.0 cm) with a crisp burgundy panel.
Optional: For a matching set, make extra balls with the panel in a different color. Each ball is still made as one piece.
Happy crocheting!