The Golden Bell Star is a small six-pointed ornament made of plump cream petals with a tan rope-like edge. Each petal is a pointed fan of long stitches. The stitches splay out from a center line, so every petal reads like a small textured leaf.
The colors are quiet and warm: creamy ivory for the petals and soft tan-gold for the edge and hanging loop. Gold jingle bells add the shine. One bell sits at the center, and a second bell hangs below a pearl bead at the bottom point. The look is classic, a little vintage, and suits a natural or gold-themed tree.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished star is 4 in (10.2 cm) from tip to tip. With the hanging loop and the bottom bell, the total length is about 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
The star is one piece worked in the round from the center. You make a dc ring, add chain loops, then work pointed petals into the loops. Two border rounds follow: single crochet, then reverse single crochet. After that you add the hanging loop and sew on the bells.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 4 in (10.2 cm) tip to tip; 6.5 in (16.5 cm) total length with loop and bell
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Worsted (#4) for the petals; DK (#3) for the border
- Hooks: 4.0 mm (G-6) and 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: Single six-point motif, worked in the round
- Piece size: 4 in (10.2 cm) tip to tip
- Size before border: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tip to tip
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on every edge
Materials
Use a smooth plied yarn with good stitch definition for the petals. Acrylic, wool blend, or soft cotton blend all work. The plies make the leaf texture show. For the border, choose a DK yarn in tan, beige, or a soft metallic-blend gold. It is slightly thinner, which keeps the edge crisp.
Yarn:
– Cream (worsted #4): 8 g / 16 m
– Tan/light gold (DK #3): 4 g / 9 m
These quantities include a margin of about 25% for your gauge swatch and weaving in. You can make several stars from one standard skein of each color.
Tools and notions:
– 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook
– 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
– 1 gold jingle bell, 12 mm (center)
– 1 gold jingle bell, 15 mm (bottom drop)
– 1 gold bead, 6 mm (hanging loop)
– 1 pearl bead, 6 mm (bottom drop)
– Tapestry needle and a thin beading needle
– Scissors
– Stitch marker
– Blocking mat, rust-proof pins, and a spray bottle
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- rsc – reverse single crochet
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
Special stitch – reverse single crochet (rsc): This is also called crab stitch. Work from left to right if you are right-handed. Insert the hook into the next stitch to the right, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook. It makes the twisted rope edge seen on the star.
sc2tog: Insert the hook in the next stitch and pull up a loop. Insert the hook in the following stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge is not critical for an ornament, but it controls how plump the petals look. Make one test star before you commit to a batch.
Checkpoints with the 4.0 mm hook and worsted cream:
– After Round 1: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across
– After Round 3: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tip to tip
– After Round 5 (border): 4 in (10.2 cm) tip to tip
Measure the petals flat without stretching, from one point straight across to the opposite point.
If your star is too big: Go down a hook size (3.75 mm), or use a slightly thinner worsted yarn. Loose tr stitches are the usual cause, so pull each loop up snugly.
If your star is too small: Go up to a 4.5 mm hook for the cream rounds. Keep the border on 3.5 mm so the edge still hugs the petals.
If the petals cup or curl: The ch-7 loops in Round 2 are probably too tight. Chain a little more loosely or go up half a hook size for that round only.
Pattern
Round 1 – Center Ring (Cream)
With the 4.0 mm hook and cream, ch 6. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring.
Ch 3 (counts as the first dc). Work 17 dc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
Stitch count: 18 dc.
Check your size: 1.25 in (3.2 cm) across. A small open hole stays in the middle, and the center bell will cover it later.
Round 2 – Petal Loops (Cream)
Ch 1. Sc in the same st as the join. Ch 7, sk the next 2 dc, sc in the next dc. Repeat from * 4 more times. Ch 7, sk the last 2 dc, and join with a sl st to the first sc.
Stitch count: 6 sc and 6 ch-7 loops.
The math: 18 dc ÷ 3 (1 sc + 2 skipped dc) = 6 repeats, one for each petal.
Round 3 – Leaf Petals (Cream)
Sl st into the first ch-7 loop. Every stitch in this round goes around the chain loop, not into individual chains. That is what makes the stitches fan out from a center line.
In each ch-7 loop work: sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, ch 3, 2 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc.
Work this petal into all 6 loops. Do not work into the Round 2 sc between loops. The petals sit side by side, and the small valleys between them form the star’s inner corners. Join with a sl st to the first sc. Fasten off cream and weave in the ends.
Stitch count per petal: 12 sts and 1 ch-3 tip.
Round total: 72 sts and 6 ch-3 tips.
The texture comes from how the stitches are placed. The stitches get taller as they climb toward the tip and are all anchored around the same loop. They lean inward toward the ch-3 point and meet at a center line, which gives each petal its leaf-vein look.
Check your size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tip to tip.
Round 4 – Flat Border Round (Tan)
Switch to the 3.5 mm hook. Join tan with a sl st in any ch-3 tip.
Ch 1. In the ch-3 tip, work 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc. Sc in each of the next 5 sts (2 tr, 2 dc, hdc). Sc2tog over the last sc of this petal and the first sc of the next petal. Sc in each of the next 5 sts (hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr). Repeat from * 5 more times. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Stitch count per point: 15 sc and 1 ch-2 tip (4 sc in the tip + 5 + 1 sc2tog + 5).
Round total: 90 sc and 6 ch-2 tips.
Round 5 – Rope Edge (Tan)
Ch 1. Do not turn. Working in reverse single crochet from left to right: rsc in each sc to the next ch-2 tip, then work rsc, ch 1, rsc in the tip. Continue around and join with a sl st to the first rsc.
Stitch count per point: 17 rsc and 1 ch-1 tip (15 rsc in the sc + 2 rsc in the tip).
Round total: 102 rsc and 6 ch-1 tips.
Do not fasten off yet if you want the hanging loop on this same strand. Otherwise, fasten off and weave in.
Border
The border is two tan rounds that add 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on every edge. Together they take the star from 3.5 in (8.9 cm) to 4 in (10.2 cm) tip to tip.
Border gauge: With DK yarn and a 3.5 mm hook, 2 rounds (1 sc + 1 rsc) = 0.25 in (0.6 cm) deep.
Counts per point (each point is one petal):
– Round 3 edge, per point: 12 sts and 1 ch-3 tip
– Round 4, per point: 15 sc and 1 ch-2 tip
– Round 5, per point: 17 rsc and 1 ch-1 tip
Why the math works:
Round 4 is a trim round. It works 1 sc into each of the 12 petal sts, except for the 2 sts in each valley, which become 1 sc2tog. That gives 10 sc + 1 sc2tog = 11 sts worked into existing stitches. On top of that, 4 extra sc go into the ch-3 tip, so 11 + 4 = 15 per point. Six points × 15 = 90 sc.
The tip increase keeps the points sharp and lets the border turn the corner without pulling. The valley decrease keeps the inner corners crisp instead of puffed.
Round 5 is also a trim round. It works 1 rsc into each of the 15 sc, then adds 2 rsc in the ch-2 tip, so 15 + 2 = 17 per point. Six points × 17 = 102 rsc. The rope edge needs those 2 extra stitches at each tip, or the point pulls blunt.
Hanging Loop
Thread the 6 mm gold bead onto the tan yarn before joining. Join tan at the ch-1 tip of the top point with a sl st.
Ch 2. Slide the bead up against the hook. Ch 1 to lock the bead in place. Ch 16, then sl st into the locking ch right above the bead. Fasten off and weave the tail back down through the bead and into the border.
The loop is about 1.25 in (3.2 cm) tall.
Bells and Beads
Center bell: Use the beading needle and a strand of tan yarn or strong matching thread. Sew the 12 mm bell over the Round 1 hole. Go through its loop several times and secure on the back.
Bottom drop: Cut 8 in (20.3 cm) of tan yarn. Anchor it at the ch-1 tip of the bottom point. Thread on the pearl bead, then pass through the loop of the 15 mm bell. Go back up through the pearl and into the tip, pulling so the pearl sits snugly under the point. Knot securely on the back and weave in.
The drop adds about 1.25 in (3.2 cm). Total length is 1.25 + 4 + 1.25 = 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends before blocking, but do not trim them yet.
- Lay the star face up on a blocking mat.
- Spray it lightly with water until it is damp, not soaked.
- Pin each of the 6 tips at an even 2 in (5.1 cm) from the center, so the star measures 4 in (10.2 cm) tip to tip.
- Pin each of the 6 valleys gently to keep the inner corners sharp.
- Use your fingertips to push each petal’s stitches toward its center line so the leaf texture stands up.
- Let it dry completely, at least 6 hours.
- Unpin and trim the yarn tails close.
- Optional: for a stiffer ornament, brush the back lightly with fabric stiffener before step 7.
Block before sewing on the bells, or keep the bells off the wet fabric if they are already attached.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Round 1 has 18 dc and lies flat.
- Round 2 has 6 evenly spaced ch-7 loops.
- Each petal has 12 sts plus a ch-3 tip, for 72 sts total.
- Round 4 totals 90 sc, 15 per point.
- Round 5 totals 102 rsc, 17 per point.
- All 6 points are equal and sharp.
- The valleys sit evenly between petals with no gaps in the tan edge.
- The star measures 4 in (10.2 cm) tip to tip after blocking.
- The hanging loop is centered on the top point, with the bead locked in place.
- The center bell is secure and the bottom drop hangs straight.
- All ends are woven in and invisible from the front.
Troubleshooting
Petals look flat, with no leaf texture: Work Round 3 around the ch-7 loop, not into the chains. Also check that you used tr, not dc, beside the tip.
Points are rounded: Make sure you worked the ch-3 tip in Round 3 and the 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc in Round 4. Pin the tips firmly when blocking.
Border ruffles: Your tan yarn may be too thick, or your hook too large. Use DK yarn with a 3.5 mm hook.
Border pulls and cups the star: Your rsc is too tight. Go up to a 3.75 mm hook for Round 5 only.
Valleys look puckered: Recheck the sc2tog at each valley. Do not add extra stitches there.
Bell flips to the side: Sew through the bell loop horizontally and at both sides so it sits flat.
Star twists when hanging: Center the loop exactly on the ch-1 tip and block again.
Care
Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then lay flat to dry. Store flat in tissue paper so the points and bells stay undamaged.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. Round 1 measures 1.25 in (3.2 cm). Round 3 brings the star to 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tip to tip. The two-round border adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on every edge, for a finished 4 in (10.2 cm) star. With the loop and the bell drop, the total length is 6.5 in (16.5 cm).
The stitch counts grow just as logically: 18 dc, then 6 loops, then 72 petal sts, then 90 sc, then 102 rsc. If each checkpoint matches, your Golden Bell Star will match.
Make one, check it, then make a whole set for the tree or a garland.
Happy crocheting!