This little wreath ornament is soft, chunky, and quick to make. It is a single cream ring covered in plump puff stitches, with a cranberry-red bow at the top and a cream cord loop for hanging. It looks great on a tree, tied onto a gift, or hung in a window.
The colors are simple: warm cream for the wreath and loop, and deep cranberry red for the bow. The puffs sit in two rings, 12 on the inside and 18 on the outside. That gives the wreath its bubbly, scalloped edge.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished wreath is about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across, with a center opening of about 1.25 in (3.2 cm). The loop adds about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) above the top edge.
You work the wreath in joined rounds around a chain ring. First comes a round of single crochet, then alternating rounds of puffs and single crochet, and then a slip-stitch border on the back. The bow is two small flat pieces stacked and cinched. The loop is a slip-stitch cord. You sew both to the back of the wreath at the end.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) diameter; 1.25 in (3.2 cm) center opening
- Skill level: Easy (advanced beginner)
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (weight 4)
- Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6)
- Number of pieces: 1 wreath ring, plus 1 bow (2 small parts) and 1 hanging loop
- Layout: Single ornament, nothing to join or assemble
- Piece size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across
- Size before border: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across
- Border depth: 1 slip-stitch round on the back; adds 0 in (0 cm) to the diameter
Materials
Pick a smooth worsted-weight yarn that holds its shape. Cotton or a cotton blend gives crisp, well-defined puffs. Acrylic gives softer, rounder puffs. Avoid fuzzy yarns, because they blur the puff outlines.
- Cream (wreath and loop): 15 g, about 30 m (33 yd)
- Cranberry red (bow): 5 g, about 10 m (11 yd)
- 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Rust-proof pins and a foam blocking mat
- Spray bottle with water
These amounts include a safety margin of about 30%, because puff stitches use more yarn than most stitches.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- BLO – back loop only
- yo – yarn over
- rnd – round
Special stitch: Puff stitch (puff). (Yo, insert hook in the indicated st, yo, and pull up a loop to about 0.5 in / 1.3 cm tall) 4 times; you now have 9 loops on the hook. Yo and pull through all 9 loops. Ch 1 to close the puff. The closing ch 1 does not count as a st. Work into the top of the puff only, not into the closing ch.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 10 sc and 10 rows = 2 in (5.1 cm), worked with the 4.0 mm hook.
Gauge matters less for an ornament than for a garment, but it does control the size and how firm the wreath feels. Your fabric should be firm enough that the center hole stays round. Make one complete wreath before you make a set, and compare it against these checkpoints:
- After Rnd 1: outer diameter about 1.75 in (4.4 cm); center opening about 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- After Rnd 2: outer diameter about 2.25 in (5.7 cm)
- After Rnd 3: outer diameter about 2.75 in (7.0 cm)
- After Rnd 4: outer diameter about 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
- After the border: still 3.5 in (8.9 cm)
If your wreath is too big (more than 3.75 in / 9.5 cm across), go down to a 3.75 mm hook. You can also pull your puff loops up a little shorter. If it is too small (under 3.25 in / 8.3 cm), go up to a 4.5 mm hook. If the ring ruffles, your puffs are too tall. If it cups, your sc rounds are too tight.
Wreath Ring (Cream)
Start each rnd with ch 1, which does not count as a st. Join each rnd with a sl st to the first sc. Keep the right side facing you the whole time and do not turn. Place a stitch marker in the first st of each rnd and move it up as you go.
Foundation: Ch 16 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Check that the chain is not twisted. The ring should measure about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across when laid flat.
Rnd 1: Ch 1. Work 24 sc into the center of the ring, over the chain, sliding the sts along so they cover the chain evenly. Join. (24 sts)
Sc packed over a chain ring keeps the center opening a steady 1.25 in (3.2 cm). Push the sts together if you see gaps. The ring now looks like a small, firm donut, about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) across.
Rnd 2 (inner puff ring): Ch 1. Sc in the next st, puff in the next st; repeat from * 11 more times. Join to the first sc. (24 sts: 12 sc + 12 puffs)*
This makes the inner ring of 12 puffs. The sc between the puffs give each puff room, so the round stays flat. Count the puffs before you join; there should be exactly 12, evenly spaced around the ring.
Rnd 3 (increase round): Ch 1. Sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the top of the next puff; repeat from * 11 more times. Join. (36 sts = 24 sts worked 1 per existing st + 12 extra sts)*
The 12 increases sit above the 12 puffs. This spreads the ring outward, ready for the larger outer ring. Find the top of each puff by looking for the V just to the right of its closing ch.
Rnd 4 (outer puff ring): Ch 1. Sc in the next st, puff in the next st; repeat from * 17 more times. Join. (36 sts: 18 sc + 18 puffs)*
This makes the outer ring of 18 puffs. With 18 outer puffs over 12 inner ones, the outer puffs fall partly between the inner puffs, which gives a packed, bubbly look. Gently push each puff toward the front with your finger as you go.
Tips for even puffs: Pull every loop up to the same height before you close the puff. Hold the loops on the hook with your index finger so they don’t slip. Close each puff with a firm ch 1, then work the next sc snugly so the puff stands up.
Checkpoint: the wreath should measure 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across and lie flat. Do not fasten off; continue to the border.
Border
Border gauge: 1 sl st per Rnd 4 st. Work it loosely, at the same tension as your sc.
Rnd 5 (back edge): Working in the BLO, sl st in each st around. (36 sl st) Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail, and join with an invisible join to the first sl st.
To keep the count even around the wreath, picture the ring in four quarters (top, right, bottom, left). Each quarter has 9 sl st: 9 × 4 = 36. If a quarter ends up with 8 or 10, rip back to that point and recount the Rnd 4 sts.
Why the math works: Rnd 4 has 36 sts, and the border takes exactly 1 sl st from each one. The outer edge stays the same length, so the ring cannot ruffle or cup. Working in the BLO pushes the sl st chain to the back. That gives the edge a firm finish but keeps the puffs on the outline, so the border adds no width.
Bow (Cranberry Red)
The bow is two flat parts stacked together: a rectangle on top and a tails strip behind it.
Bow rectangle: Ch 11.
- Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (10 sc)
- Rows 2–4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (10 sc)
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. The rectangle measures about 2.0 in by 0.8 in (5.1 cm by 2.0 cm).
Bow tails: Ch 9.
- Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (8 sc)
Fasten off and weave in both ends. The strip measures about 1.6 in (4.1 cm) long.
Assemble the bow:
- Fold the tails strip in half to form an inverted V, with the ends angled down and out.
- Lay the rectangle centered on top of the fold.
- Pinch both layers together at the center of the rectangle.
- Use the 12 in (30.5 cm) tail to wrap tightly around the pinch 8 times. This forms the bow’s two loops and its center knot.
- Secure the wrap with 2 stitches through the back and keep the remaining tail for sewing.
The finished bow is about 2.0 in (5.1 cm) wide and 1.1 in (2.8 cm) tall including the tails. The wrap should be about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) wide, and the two loops should puff out evenly on each side.
Hanging Loop (Cream)
Cord: Ch 21. Sl st in the back bump of the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (20 sl st) Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
The cord is about 4 in (10.2 cm) long. Fold it in half. Overlap both ends by 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the back of the wreath at the top center, so a loop about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall stands above the edge. Sew it in place through the backs of the Rnd 3 and Rnd 4 sts.
Attach the Bow
Center the bow on the front at the top of the wreath. It should cover the base of the hanging loop, with the tails angled down over the puffs. Using the red tail, sew through the wrap and into Rnds 3 and 4, then tack each bow loop lightly at its outer edge so it does not flop forward. Weave in all ends on the back.
Final Blocking
- Lightly spray the wreath with water until it is damp but not soaked.
- Lay it face up on the blocking mat.
- Shape the outer edge into a true circle, 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across.
- Push a finger through the center and round out the opening to 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
- Plump each puff by pinching it gently from the sides.
- Pin the bow loops flat and spread the tails into a clear V.
- Let it dry completely, about 6 hours, before you unpin it.
Do not press the puffs flat with an iron. If you use acrylic yarn, steam it lightly from above without touching the fabric.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Wreath measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across and lies flat
- Center opening is round, about 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- 12 puffs in the inner ring and 18 in the outer ring
- No puff is missing its closing ch, and none has loose loops
- Border has 36 sl st, all on the back
- Bow is centered at the top, with even loops and a tight center wrap
- Tails form a symmetrical inverted V
- Hanging loop is about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall, firmly sewn, and hidden behind the bow
- All ends are woven in on the back
Troubleshooting
The ring ruffles. The puffs are too tall. Pull the loops up only about 0.5 in (1.3 cm), or go down a hook size.
The ring cups or curls. Rnd 3 is too tight. Recount it to 36 sts and loosen your tension, or go up a hook size for that round only.
The puffs look flat. Pull every loop up to the same height before the final yo, and keep the closing ch 1 snug.
The center hole closes up. You may have crowded the sc in Rnd 1. Restart with a looser foundation chain.
Your stitch count is wrong after a puff round. You may have worked into a closing ch. Count only the puff tops.
The bow twists. Wrap it more tightly and add a tacking stitch at each loop.
The loop tilts to one side. Unpick it and re-center it, with both ends overlapping evenly at the top center.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out the water in a towel, and reshape it to dry flat. Store it flat or hanging so the puffs do not get crushed.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and easy to check. The 16-ch ring gives a 1.25 in (3.2 cm) opening. Rnd 1 has 24 sts. Rnd 2 has 24 sts with 12 puffs, at 2.25 in (5.7 cm). Rnd 3 has 36 sts, at 2.75 in (7.0 cm). Rnd 4 has 36 sts with 18 puffs, at 3.5 in (8.9 cm). The border adds 36 sl st and keeps the size at 3.5 in (8.9 cm). Then you add a 2.0 in (5.1 cm) bow and a 1.75 in (4.4 cm) loop. If each checkpoint matches, every wreath in your set will match too.
Happy crocheting!