The Snowdrop Bloom Teardrop is a single lacy motif shaped like a raindrop. It has a rounded base and a sharp point at the top. In the middle, a small ring is circled by eight soft puff petals. Eight larger double-lobed petals sit around those, then a ring of open chain windows, and last a solid rim finished with a raised crab stitch edge.
It is made in one color, crisp white, which gives it a snowflake-like, heirloom look. It works well as a Christmas tree ornament, gift tag, or window decoration. A few hung together look like a soft winter cluster.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished ornament measures about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide and 6 in (15.2 cm) tall from the bottom curve to the tip of the point.
The construction is simple. You work in the round from a magic ring to a flat circle of 64 stitches. In the next round you make a chain spike over 8 stitches. The spike lifts into the teardrop point and leaves an open triangle above the top petal. Two border rounds then outline the whole shape and sharpen the tip.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide x 6 in (15.2 cm) tall
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate (puff stitches, crab stitch)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: DK / light worsted (CYC 3) cotton
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 1 single motif
- Layout: One standalone teardrop, no joining
- Piece size before border: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall (after Round 7)
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each side (Rounds 8–9)
Materials
Yarn advice: Choose a smooth mercerized or combed cotton in DK weight. Cotton shows the puff stitches clearly, holds the point well after blocking, and stays bright white. Avoid fuzzy acrylic, which blurs the open windows.
- White: 12 g, about 30 m (33 yd)
These amounts include a margin of about 25% for a gauge test and weaving in ends. One ornament uses about 9–10 g.
Tools:
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Rust-proof pins and a foam blocking mat
- Spray bottle with water
- Optional: 10 in (25.4 cm) of white cord or yarn for a hanging loop
- Optional: fabric stiffener or starch
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- rsc – reverse single crochet (crab stitch)
- sk – skip
- sp(s) – space(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- yo – yarn over
Special stitches:
- Puff: (Yo, insert hook in st or sp, yo and pull up a loop to about 0.5 in / 1.3 cm tall) 3 times, yo and pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch 1 to close. The closing ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
- Large puff: Work like a puff, but repeat (yo, insert, pull up loop) 4 times, then yo and pull through all 9 loops, ch 1 to close.
- Reverse sc (rsc): Working from left to right, insert hook in the next st to the right, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge isn’t critical for an ornament, but it sets the final size and how flat the piece lies. Make one test motif first. Lay it flat without stretching and measure it at each checkpoint below.
- After Round 2: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across
- After Round 3: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across
- After Round 4: 3 in (7.6 cm) across
- After Round 5: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across
- After Round 6: 4 in (10.2 cm) across
- After Round 7: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall
- After Round 9: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide x 6 in (15.2 cm) tall
If your piece is too big or ruffles at Round 6, switch to a 3.25 mm (D-3) hook. If it is too small or cups at Round 6, switch to a 3.75 mm (F-5) hook. A slight cup at Round 5 is normal and flattens out in Round 6.
The side facing you as you work is the right side. Keep it facing you throughout; you never turn.
Pattern
Round 1 – Center Ring
Make a magic ring.
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 16 sc in the ring. Pull the tail snug, leaving a small open hole in the center about 0.125 in (0.3 cm) wide. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Count: 16 sc.
Round 2 – Inner Petals
Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Puff in the same sc as the join, ch 2, sk next sc. *Puff in next sc, ch 2, sk next sc; repeat from * 6 more times. Join with sl st to the top of the first puff.
Count: 8 puffs and 8 ch-2 sps. The 16 sc of Round 1 are used as 8 puffs plus 8 skipped sts.
Checkpoint: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
Round 3 – Foundation Loops
Sl st into the first ch-2 sp. Ch 1, sc in the same sp, ch 5. *Sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 5; repeat from * 6 more times. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Count: 8 sc and 8 ch-5 sps.
Each ch-5 loop sits behind a puff from Round 2, so the next petals land between the inner petals.
Checkpoint: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across.
Round 4 – Outer Double Petals
Sl st into the first ch-5 sp. Ch 2 (does not count as a st). *(Large puff, ch 2, large puff) in the ch-5 sp, ch 3; repeat from * in each of the remaining 7 ch-5 sps. Join with sl st to the top of the first large puff.
Count: 16 large puffs, 8 ch-2 sps, and 8 ch-3 sps.
Each pair of large puffs makes one double-lobed outer petal, so there are 8 outer petals around the flower.
Checkpoint: 3 in (7.6 cm) across.
Round 5 – Open Windows
Sl st into the first ch-2 sp (between the two puffs of a petal). Ch 1. *Sc in the ch-2 sp, ch 4, sc in the next ch-3 sp, ch 4; repeat from * 7 more times. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Count: 16 sc and 16 ch-4 sps.
These chain loops make the ring of open windows between the petals and the solid rim.
Checkpoint: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across.
Round 6 – Solid Circle
Ch 1. *Sc in the next sc (start in the same sc as the join), 3 sc in the next ch-4 sp; repeat from * 15 more times. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Count: 64 sc = 16 sc worked 1-per-existing-sc + 48 sc worked into the 16 ch-4 sps (3 each).
The piece should lie flat. Checkpoint: 4 in (10.2 cm) across.
Round 7 – Point Spike
Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Starting in the same st as the join, sc in each of the next 56 sts. Ch 21. Sk the last 8 sts of the round. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Count: 56 sc and one ch-21 spike.
Gently pull the ch-21 upward. It forms a triangle over the 8 skipped sts. The open space under it becomes the narrow window above the top petal. The skipped section is now the top of the teardrop.
Checkpoint: 4 in (10.2 cm) wide x 5.5 in (14.0 cm) tall, measured to the peak of the chain.
Border
Border gauge: The two border rounds add about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) to every edge. That adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm) to both the width and the height.
Round 8 – Outline and Tip
Ch 1. Sc in each of the 56 sc. On the spike, work into the chains, using the same part of each chain every time (either the back bump or the top loop): sc in each of ch 1–10, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch 11, sc in each of ch 12–21. Join with sl st to the first sc.
Count: 78 sc and 1 ch-2 tip sp = 56 sc worked 1-per-existing-sc + 21 sc worked 1-per-chain + 1 extra sc added at the tip.
On each side of the point there are 11 sc. The right side has ch 1–10 plus the first tip sc. The left side has the second tip sc plus ch 12–21. That makes 22 sc around the spike. The rounded body has 56 sc. 56 + 22 = 78.
Round 9 – Crab Stitch Edge
Ch 1. Do not turn. Working from left to right, rsc in each sc around. When you reach the tip ch-2 sp, work (rsc, ch 2, rsc) into it. Join with sl st to the first rsc. Fasten off.
Count: 80 rsc and 1 ch-2 tip sp = 78 rsc worked 1-per-existing-sc + 2 rsc added in the tip sp.
Why the math works: Round 6 ends with 64 sc, which lies flat at 4 in (10.2 cm). Round 7 keeps 56 of those and bridges the other 8 with 21 chains. That adds edge length exactly where the point needs it. Round 8 works one sc into every stitch and chain and adds only one extra stitch at the tip, so the curve stays flat. Round 9 adds just 2 stitches at the tip, which keeps the point sharp without flaring it.
Hanging loop (optional): Fold the 10 in (25.4 cm) cord in half and thread it through the tip ch-2 sp. Tie an overhand knot about 2 in (5.1 cm) above the point.
Weave in all ends along the back of the border, not through the puffs.
Final Blocking
- Soak the ornament in cool water for a few minutes, then press out the water in a towel. Do not wring.
- Lay it on the blocking mat, right side up.
- Pin the base into a smooth curve 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide.
- Pin the tip so the total height is 6 in (15.2 cm), and pull both sides of the point into straight lines.
- Pin each of the 8 outer petals and each open window into an even shape.
- Press the 8 inner puffs gently so they sit evenly around the center hole.
- For a stiffer tree ornament, mist lightly with starch or brush on diluted fabric stiffener.
- Leave it pinned until completely dry, usually 12–24 hours.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The center hole is small and evenly closed.
- There are 8 inner puffs and 8 double-lobed outer petals.
- 16 open windows show between the petals and the rim.
- Round 6 has exactly 64 sc and lies flat.
- Round 7 has 56 sc plus a ch-21 spike over 8 skipped sts.
- Round 8 has 78 sc plus the tip ch-2 sp.
- Round 9 has 80 rsc plus the tip ch-2 sp.
- The point is sharp and centered.
- The finished size is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) x 6 in (15.2 cm).
- All ends are woven in and hidden.
Troubleshooting
The center hole is too big: Pull the magic ring tail tighter before Round 2, then weave the tail around the ring once more.
The puffs look flat or uneven: Pull every loop up to the same height, about 0.5 in (1.3 cm), before closing the puff.
Round 6 ruffles: Your Round 5 loops are too loose. Work only 2 sc into a few of the ch-4 sps, or go down a hook size.
Round 6 cups: Go up a hook size, or check that you worked 3 sc into every ch-4 sp.
The point leans to one side: Check that the spike starts and ends exactly 8 sts apart and that the tip is worked into ch 11.
The point is rounded, not sharp: Pin the tip firmly while blocking, and keep the ch 2 at the tip in both border rounds.
The crab stitch twists the edge: Loosen your tension and keep the hook angled slightly downward.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press dry in a towel, and reshape flat to dry. Store the ornament flat or hanging, away from heavy items that could crush the puffs.
Final Notes
The teardrop follows one clear measurement chain. The center flower is 1.75 in (4.4 cm) after Round 2. The double petals bring it to 3 in (7.6 cm), and the open windows take it to 3.5 in (8.9 cm). The solid circle ends at 64 sc and 4 in (10.2 cm). The spike lifts the piece to 4 in (10.2 cm) x 5.5 in (14.0 cm). The border finishes it at 4.5 in (11.4 cm) x 6 in (15.2 cm).
If each checkpoint matches, the next round will fall into place. Make one, then make a few more for the tree.
Happy crocheting!