This little wreath ornament is a single textured ring in soft sage green, finished with a cream twisted-rope bow at the top. Dense popcorn stitches cover the ring and give it a full, bumpy, three-dimensional look, much like a tiny holiday garland.
The palette is quiet and natural: sage for the wreath and cream for the bow. The style is cozy and handmade, and it suits a tree, a gift tag, a door knob, or a window hook.
This pattern uses US crochet terms throughout. The finished ornament measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across, with a center opening of about 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
The wreath is worked flat in the round from a chain ring. Plain single crochet rounds alternate with popcorn rounds, and a smooth edging round finishes the outer edge and the inner edge. You then make two cream cords, twist them together, tie them into a bow, and sew the bow to the top. A small sage hanging loop is worked directly onto the wreath.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) diameter
- Center opening: about 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK (light worsted, weight 3)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 1 wreath ring (hanging loop worked onto it), plus 2 bow cords as trim
- Layout: single ring, bow centered at top, hanging loop behind the bow
- Piece size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across after the edging
- Size before border: 3.25 in (8.3 cm) across after Round 4
- Border depth: about 1/8 in (0.3 cm) on the outer edge
Materials
Yarn advice: Choose a smooth DK yarn in cotton, acrylic, or a cotton blend. Smooth yarn gives clear, round popcorns. Very fuzzy yarn hides the texture, and splitty yarn makes the popcorn closures harder to work.
- Sage green (wreath and hanging loop): 12 g / 28 m
- Cream (bow): 5 g / 12 m
These quantities include a margin of roughly 30-40%, so you will have yarn left for practice popcorns or a gauge check.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- 1 stitch marker
- Spray bottle and a few rust-proof pins
- Foam mat or folded towel for blocking
- Ruler or tape measure
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- pc – popcorn (see below)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- Rnd – round
- RS – right side
- yo – yarn over
Special stitch – Popcorn (pc): Work 4 dc in the same stitch. Remove the hook from the working loop. Insert the hook from front to back into the top of the first dc of the group. Pick up the dropped loop and pull it through. The popcorn counts as 1 stitch. Do not add a closing chain.
Worked with the RS facing, the popcorn pops toward you, so all the bumps sit on the front of the wreath.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 22 sc = 4 in (10.2 cm) with a 3.5 mm hook, which is 5.5 sc per inch.
You only make one ring, so the ring itself is your test piece. Work up to Round 2 and measure before you continue. Lay the piece flat without stretching it, and measure straight across through the center.
Checkpoints:
- Foundation ring: 24 ch, about 4.36 in (11.1 cm) around and about 1.4 in (3.6 cm) across when laid in a circle
- After Rnd 1: about 2 in (5.1 cm) across
- After Rnd 2: about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across
- After Rnd 3: about 2.75 in (7.0 cm) across
- After Rnd 4: about 3.25 in (8.3 cm) across
- After Rnd 5 (outer edge): 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across
- After inner edging: center opening about 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
If your piece is too big by more than 1/4 in (0.6 cm) at Round 2, switch to a 3.0 mm hook and restart. If it is too small by the same amount, switch to a 4.0 mm hook. Small differences of about 1/8 in (0.3 cm) can be eased out in blocking.
Wreath Ring
Work with sage green and the RS facing at all times. Do not turn. Join each round with a sl st to the first stitch. Place the marker in the first stitch of each round.
Foundation: Ch 24, sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Do not twist the chain.
Rnd 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Working into the top loop of each chain only, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch 12 times. Join. (36 sc)
Working into the top loop leaves the bottom loop of each chain free for the inner edging later.
Rnd 2 (popcorn round): Ch 1. Sc in next st, pc in next st 18 times. Join to the first sc. (18 sc + 18 pc = 36 sts)
This round keeps the same count. Push each popcorn toward the RS with your finger if it leans backward.
Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st 12 times. Join. (48 sc)
Work into the top of each popcorn, which is the loop that closed it, not into the space beside it. Work this round firmly so the popcorns stay upright.
Rnd 4 (popcorn round): Ch 1. Pc in next st, sc in next st 24 times. Join to the top of the first pc. (24 pc + 24 sc = 48 sts)
Starting this round with a popcorn staggers the bumps, so they nestle between the Round 2 popcorns instead of stacking in lines. This creates the dense, garland-like fullness.
Checkpoint: The ring should measure about 3.25 in (8.3 cm) across. A slight dome is normal at this stage and blocks out at the end.
Do not fasten off. Continue straight into the border.
Border
The border has two edges: the outer edge, worked into Round 4, and the inner edge, worked into the free loops of the foundation chain. Both use plain sc for a smooth, tidy finish that frames the popcorns without adding more texture.
Border gauge: The border uses the same gauge as the ring, 5.5 sc per inch. It is not worked tighter or looser.
Rnd 5 (outer edge): Ch 1. Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st 12 times. Join. Fasten off and weave in the end.
Count: 48 sc worked one into each existing stitch + 12 extra sc from the increases = 60 sc.
This is a trim round. It converts the popcorn round into a smooth sc edge and adds a final set of increases so the outer edge lies flat.
Inner edge: With the RS facing, join sage green with a sl st to any free bottom loop of the foundation chain. Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each free loop around. Join, fasten off, and weave in the end.
Count: 24 free loops worked 1-to-1 = 24 sc. No stitches are added.
Why the math works:
- Outer edge: 60 sc at 5.5 sc per inch gives about 10.9 in (27.7 cm) of circumference. Dividing by pi gives about 3.47 in (8.8 cm), which reads as the target 3.5 in (8.9 cm) diameter.
- Inner edge: 24 sc match the 24 foundation chains exactly, so the inner edge keeps its original circumference of about 4.36 in (11.1 cm). The sc tops roll slightly inward, so the visible opening measures about 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
- Increase rhythm: Each sc round adds 12 stitches (36 to 48 to 60). Every round count divides evenly by 2 for the popcorn repeats (36 ÷ 2 = 18 and 48 ÷ 2 = 24) and by 12 for the increase repeats.
Hanging Loop
Decide which part of the ring is the top. The Round 5 join is a good choice because the bow will hide it.
- With the RS facing, join sage green with a sl st to the top stitch of Round 5.
- Ch 18.
- Skip the next 2 sts of Round 5 and sl st into the following st to anchor the loop.
- Turn the work. Sl st into each of the 18 ch back along the loop.
- Sl st into the starting stitch. Fasten off and weave in the ends on the back.
The finished loop stands about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) above the wreath. The return row of slip stitches gives it a firm, rope-like look.
Bow
Make 2 cords in cream:
- Ch 55, which is about 10 in (25.4 cm).
- Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, sl st into the back bump of each ch across. (54 sl st)
- Fasten off and leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail on one cord for sewing. Weave in all other ends.
Twist and tie:
- Lay the two cords side by side with the ends aligned.
- Twist the cords around each other 5 to 6 times along their length to form one twisted rope.
- Tack each end with a few small stitches so the twist holds.
- Tie the twisted rope into a simple bow. Aim for loops of about 1 in (2.5 cm) and tails of about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
- Adjust the bow until it is about 2 in (5.1 cm) wide.
Attach: Center the bow at the top of the wreath, in front of the hanging loop’s base. Use the long tail to sew through the knot into the outer edge and the top popcorns. Secure the bow with 3 to 4 stitches that stay hidden behind the knot. Weave the tail in on the back.
Final Blocking
- Lay the wreath RS up on a foam mat or folded towel.
- Mist it evenly with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Gently press the center flat with your palm to ease out any dome.
- Shape the outer edge into a smooth circle measuring 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across.
- Shape the center opening to about 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
- Pin the outer edge at 6 to 8 evenly spaced points. Pin through the sc edge, not through the popcorns.
- Use your fingertip to push each popcorn forward so it stands round and full.
- Lift the bow loops so they hold their shape, and smooth the tails flat.
- Let the wreath dry completely, then remove the pins.
Do not iron the wreath. Heat flattens the popcorns, and acrylic yarn can lose its texture permanently.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Outer diameter is 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
- Center opening is about 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- Outer edge has 60 sc and inner edge has 24 sc
- 42 popcorns in total (18 in Round 2 and 24 in Round 4), all popping to the front
- Round 4 popcorns sit between Round 2 popcorns, not in straight lines
- Wreath lies flat with no cupping or rippling
- Hanging loop is firmly anchored and centered at the top
- Bow is centered, twisted evenly, and sewn securely
- All ends are woven in on the back
Troubleshooting
Popcorns pop to the back. Make sure the RS is facing you, and insert the hook into the first dc from front to back when closing each popcorn.
The wreath cups into a bowl. Your sc rounds may be too tight. Loosen your tension slightly, or work Rounds 3 and 5 with a 4.0 mm hook.
The wreath ruffles or waves. Your popcorns may be too loose or too tall. Pull each popcorn’s closing loop snug, or use a 3.0 mm hook for the popcorn rounds only.
The stitch count is off in Round 3. You most likely skipped the top of a popcorn. Each popcorn’s closing loop counts as 1 stitch.
The center opening is too small. Work the inner edging more loosely. Do not add stitches, because the 1-to-1 count keeps the opening even.
The bow untwists. Add an extra tacking stitch at each end of the twisted rope before tying the bow.
The hanging loop flops forward. Re-anchor it slightly behind the outer edge so the bow covers the base.
Care
Spot clean or hand wash in cool water, then reshape and lay flat to dry. Store the ornament flat or hanging, not crushed, so the popcorns keep their shape.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. A 24-chain ring of about 4.36 in (11.1 cm) grows to 36, 48, and then 60 stitches. The ring measures about 2 in (5.1 cm) after Round 1, 3.25 in (8.3 cm) after Round 4, and a finished 3.5 in (8.9 cm) after the smooth sc edge. The 24-stitch inner edging keeps the opening at about 1.25 in (3.2 cm). Check your gauge at Round 2, block the ring flat, and fluff every popcorn so your little sage wreath looks full and festive.
Optional: To make a matching set, simply repeat this pattern in other colors. Each ornament stays a single, separate piece.
Happy crocheting!