The Frosted Eucalyptus Spray is a slim hanging ornament. Round, coin-like leaves are scattered along five thin stems. The stems gather at the top under a small cream bow, and a thin loop lets the spray hang from a branch, a doorknob or a gift box.
The colors are quiet and wintery: dusty powder blue for the leaves and stems, and cream for the bow and loop. On a frosted tree, the blue looks like silver-dollar eucalyptus dusted with snow.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished ornament measures 7 in (17.8 cm) from the top of the bow to the tip of the lowest leaf, 9.25 in (23.5 cm) including the hanging loop, and about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across the widest point.
The ornament is built from small parts. You crochet 20 small flat discs, five slip-stitched chain stems in three lengths, one bow strip and one loop. Then you sew the discs to the stems, gather the stems, tie the bow over the gather and attach the loop.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 7 in (17.8 cm) long without the loop; 9.25 in (23.5 cm) with the loop; 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Sport weight (#2) cotton
- Hook: 2.75 mm (US C/2)
- Number of pieces: 27 (20 leaf discs, 5 stems, 1 bow strip, 1 hanging loop), assembled into one ornament
- Layout: 5 stems gathered at one point: 1 center stem, 2 middle stems, 2 outer stems
- Piece size: each leaf disc is 1 in (2.5 cm) across after the trim round
- Size before border: each disc is 0.875 in (2.2 cm) across after Round 3
- Border depth: the slip-stitch rim adds about 0.0625 in (0.2 cm) on each side
Materials
Choose a smooth mercerized or combed cotton in sport weight. Cotton shows each stitch clearly, keeps the discs flat and stops the stems from stretching under the weight of the leaves. Avoid fuzzy or very splitty yarns. The leaves are small, and the visible rings of stitches are part of the look.
Yarn:
– Color A, dusty blue: 15 g, about 50 m (leaves and stems)
– Color B, cream: 5 g, about 15 m (bow and hanging loop)
These amounts include about 30% extra for the test disc, tails and one or two spare discs.
Tools:
– 2.75 mm (US C/2) crochet hook
– Tapestry needle with a narrow tip
– Small scissors
– 4 locking stitch markers
– Ruler or tape measure marked in inches and cm
– Blocking pins and a foam mat
– Spray bottle with clean water
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- MR – magic ring
- rnd – round
- BB – back bump of a chain
Special stitch – sl st in back bump (sl st in BB): Turn the chain so the bumpy back faces you. Insert the hook under the single bump of the chain, yarn over, and pull through the chain and the loop on the hook. Working into the back bump leaves the neat “V” of the chain on the front and makes a round, cord-like stem.
Invisible join: Cut the yarn and pull the tail up through the last st. Thread it on the needle, pass it under both loops of the first st of the round, then go back down into the center of the last st. This hides the step at the end of a round.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge matters more for proportion than for fit. Discs that are too large make the spray look crowded. Discs that are too small leave the stems looking bare.
- Leaf disc: Rounds 1–3 measure 0.875 in (2.2 cm) across; after the trim round, 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Stem gauge: 8 sl st in BB = 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Bow strip gauge: 7 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm)
Test one disc first. Make a single disc through Round 4 and measure it before you commit to all 20.
Checkpoints:
– After Round 1: about 0.375 in (1.0 cm) across
– After Round 2: about 0.625 in (1.6 cm) across
– After Round 3: 0.875 in (2.2 cm) across
– After Round 4: 1 in (2.5 cm) across
If your disc is too big: go down to a 2.5 mm hook, or tighten your sc by pulling the working loop snug before each yarn over.
If your disc is too small: go up to a 3.0 mm hook. Being off by about 0.0625 in (0.2 cm) either way is fine, as long as all 20 discs match each other.
If the disc cups or ruffles: cupping usually means tight increases, and ruffling usually means loose stitches. Check your hook size before changing any stitch counts.
Leaf Disc (Make 20 in Color A)
Work each disc in joined rounds so the rings stay even. Do not turn.
Rnd 1: Make a MR, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 6 sc in the ring. Pull the ring closed tightly and sl st to the first sc to join. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Sl st to first sc. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 5 more times. Sl st to first sc. (18 sts)
Measure now: the disc should be 0.875 in (2.2 cm) across. Finish the disc with the trim round in the Border section below.
Rnd 3 check: 6 repeats x 3 sts per repeat = 18 sts. Each round adds exactly 6 sts, the standard rate for a flat sc circle.
Stems (Make 5 in Color A)
Stems are measured from the gathered top (stitch 1) down to the tip (last stitch).
Center stem (make 1): Ch 45. Sl st in BB of the 2nd ch from hook and in BB of each ch across. (44 sl st) Length: 5.5 in (14.0 cm).
Middle stems (make 2): Ch 37. Sl st in BB of the 2nd ch from hook and in BB of each ch across. (36 sl st) Length: 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
Outer stems (make 2): Ch 29. Sl st in BB of the 2nd ch from hook and in BB of each ch across. (28 sl st) Length: 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
Fasten off each stem with an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail at the top end. You will use these tails to wrap the gather.
Stem check: 44 / 8 = 5.5 in; 36 / 8 = 4.5 in; 28 / 8 = 3.5 in. The extra chain at the start of each stem is the skipped chain, not a stitch.
Make All Pieces
Color A (dusty blue):
– 20 leaf discs (Rounds 1–4)
– 15 side discs get a leaf stalk; 5 tip discs have no stalk
– 1 center stem (44 sl st), 2 middle stems (36 sl st each), 2 outer stems (28 sl st each)
Color B (cream):
– 1 bow strip
– 1 hanging loop
Disc count per stem:
– Center stem: 1 tip disc + 5 side discs = 6
– Each middle stem: 1 tip disc + 3 side discs = 4 (8 total)
– Each outer stem: 1 tip disc + 2 side discs = 3 (6 total)
– Total: 6 + 8 + 6 = 20 discs
Layout grid (stitch numbers counted from the top of each stem; L = left of stem, R = right of stem, T = tip):
[ bow + loop ]
gather
/ / | \ \
Outer Middle Center Middle Outer
28 sts 36 sts 44 sts 36 sts 28 sts
12 L 12 R 9 L 12 L 12 R
20 R 20 L 16 R 20 R 20 L
28 T 28 R 23 L 28 L 28 T
36 T 30 R 36 T
37 L
44 T
Side discs alternate left and right down each stem. The two outer stems mirror each other, and so do the two middle stems.
Joining and Assembly
Side discs (15): These discs end with a short leaf stalk instead of the invisible join. After Rnd 4, sl st to the first st of the round. Ch 4, then sl st in BB of the 2nd ch from hook and in the next 2 ch (3 sl st). Fasten off with an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail. The stalk is 0.375 in (1.0 cm) long.
Tip discs (5): Finish with the invisible join and leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Attaching side discs: Put a locking marker in the stem stitch shown on the layout grid. Lay the end of the stalk against that stitch, on the side shown on the grid. Using the stalk tail, sew 2–3 small stitches through the last stalk sl st and the marked stem sl st, matching stitch to stitch. Angle the stalk slightly downward, about 45 degrees from the stem, so the leaves hang naturally.
Attaching tip discs: Hold the tip disc so the last stem sl st touches the edge of the disc. Sew through the disc’s trim stitch and the last 2 stem stitches so the disc continues the line of the stem.
Tension advice: Pull each sewing stitch just snug. Too tight and the stem kinks; too loose and the leaf flops forward. Weave each tail back along the stalk or stem for at least 1 in (2.5 cm) before trimming.
Gathering the stems: Lay the five stems side by side in the order shown on the grid, with their top stitches lined up. Using one of the top tails, wrap the bundle tightly 6–8 times over the top 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Sew through the bundle twice to lock it, then weave the remaining top tails into the wrap.
Size checkpoint: From the gather to the bottom edge of the center tip disc should measure 6.5 in (16.5 cm). That is 5.5 in (14.0 cm) of stem plus 1 in (2.5 cm) of disc.
Bow strip (Color B): Ch 57. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (56 sc) Fasten off. Length: 8 in (20.3 cm). Check: 56 / 7 = 8 in.
Tie the strip in a standard bow over the wrapped gather. Make two loops of 1.25 in (3.2 cm) each and leave two tails of 1 in (2.5 cm) each. The loops use 5 in (12.7 cm), the tails use 2 in (5.1 cm) and the knot uses the last 1 in (2.5 cm). The finished bow is about 3 in (7.6 cm) wide and sits 0.5 in (1.3 cm) above the gather. Sew the knot to the stem wrap with cream yarn.
Hanging loop (Color B): Ch 36, then sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Fasten off. The ring is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) around and hangs 2.25 in (5.7 cm) when folded. Sew the join behind the bow knot.
Border: Leaf Edge Trim
On this ornament, the “border” is the slip-stitch rim on every leaf disc. It gives each leaf its crisp, raised, coin-like edge.
Border gauge: 18 sl st around one disc, one for each of the 18 sts of Round 3.
Rnd 4 (trim): Ch 1, sl st loosely in each st around, working through both loops. Finish as directed in Assembly: invisible join for tip discs, sl st to the first st for side discs. (18 sl st worked 1 per existing st + 0 added = 18 sts)
A disc has no corners, so think of the edge as 6 equal segments, one for each increase section of Round 3: 3 sl st per segment x 6 segments = 18.
Why the math works: Round 3 is already a flat 18-st circle. A slip stitch adds height but almost no width, so the trim needs no increases. Working exactly 1 sl st per st keeps the edge the same length, so the disc doesn’t ruffle, and the extra loop rolls slightly forward to form the rim. Keep the sl st loose, because a tight trim pulls the disc into a cup.
Final Blocking
- Weave in any remaining short ends.
- Lay the ornament face up on a foam mat.
- Mist the leaves and stems lightly until damp, not soaked.
- Press each disc flat with your fingertip and pin it at 2 opposite edges to hold a 1 in (2.5 cm) circle.
- Straighten each stem and set the side stalks at an even downward angle.
- Fan the outer stems until the spray measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) at its widest point.
- Shape the bow loops with your fingers and tuck a small roll of paper into each loop to hold it open.
- Let the piece dry completely, at least 4 hours, before unpinning.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- 20 discs, all 1 in (2.5 cm) across and lying flat
- Every disc has 18 sts in Rounds 3 and 4
- Center stem 44 sl st, middle stems 36 sl st, outer stems 28 sl st
- Side discs alternate left and right as shown on the layout grid
- Outer and middle stems mirror each other
- Length from gather to center tip disc: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
- Total length without loop: 7 in (17.8 cm); with loop: 9.25 in (23.5 cm)
- Bow centered over the gather and sewn in place
- All tails woven in at least 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Ornament hangs straight when held by the loop
Troubleshooting
The disc has a hole in the center. Pull the magic ring tighter, and weave the starting tail around the center once before securing it.
The disc cups. The trim round is too tight. Redo Round 4 with a looser sl st, or use a 3.0 mm hook for that round only.
The disc ruffles. Check Round 3 for an extra increase; it should have exactly 18 sts.
The stems curl or twist. This is common with slip stitches. Mist the stems and pin them straight while blocking.
The spray hangs crooked. The leaves are unbalanced. Check that the left and right placements match the grid, and adjust the loop position behind the bow.
The bow droops. Sew each bow loop to the stem wrap with one hidden stitch, or stiffen the bow lightly with diluted fabric stiffener.
A leaf faces backward. Sew each disc with its front (the side facing you while you crocheted it) toward the front of the ornament.
Care
Spot clean with cool water and a mild soap, then reshape and dry flat. Store flat or hanging, away from heavy ornaments that could crush the leaves.
Final Notes
Each measurement builds on the one before it, so it’s easy to check:
- Each disc grows by 6 sts per round to 18 sts and 0.875 in (2.2 cm). The 18-st trim brings it to 1 in (2.5 cm).
- At 8 sl st per inch, stems of 44, 36 and 28 sl st measure 5.5 in (14.0 cm), 4.5 in (11.4 cm) and 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
- The center stem plus its tip disc measures 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
- The bow adds 0.5 in (1.3 cm), for 7 in (17.8 cm).
- The 2.25 in (5.7 cm) loop brings the total to 9.25 in (23.5 cm).
The second ornament goes much faster than the first. A set of three in matching blue looks lovely on a frosted tree.
Happy crocheting!