The Snowlace Bow Wreath is a small, airy Christmas ornament. It is a single circular wreath in white/cream yarn with an open, lacy body and a scalloped shell edge around the entire circle. The center stays hollow, so the tree branches show through. A small bow tied from pale beige fabric ribbon sits at the top, and the wreath hangs from a gold string.
The look is soft and neutral. Cream lace with a taupe ribbon bow pairs well with gold, champagne, and metallic trims. It reads as vintage and handmade without being busy.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished ornament measures 3.75 in (9.5 cm) across after blocking, with a center opening of about 1.9 in (4.8 cm).
Construction is simple. You chain a ring, work a round of single crochet over it, add an open V-stitch round for the lace, and finish with a shell-stitch border that creates the scallops. Then you block it flat, tie on a fabric ribbon bow at the top, and add a gold string hanger. The wreath is one crocheted piece, with no joining.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.75 in (9.5 cm) diameter, blocked
- Center opening: about 1.9 in (4.8 cm)
- Skill level: Easy
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Light / DK (weight 3) cotton
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Number of pieces: 1 crocheted wreath. The bow is tied from fabric ribbon, not crocheted.
- Layout: Single ring worked in joined rounds, right side always facing
- Piece size: 3.75 in (9.5 cm) diameter
- Size before border: 3.0 in (7.6 cm) diameter after Round 2
- Border depth: 3/8 in (1.0 cm), one shell round
Materials
Yarn advice: Use a smooth mercerized or soft matte cotton in DK weight. Cotton holds the scallops crisply and blocks flat. Avoid fuzzy or brushed yarns, because they blur the open lace.
- Cream/white yarn (wreath): 8 g, about 22 m (24 yd)
- Pale beige or taupe fabric ribbon (bow): 12 in (30.5 cm) of 5/8 in (1.6 cm) wide ribbon
- Gold string (hanger): 8 in (20.3 cm) of thin gold cord or metallic string
Quantities include a margin for your gauge swatch, tails, and a possible restart.
Tools:
– 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook, plus 3.25 mm (D-3) and 3.75 mm (F-5) for gauge adjustments
– Tapestry needle
– Scissors
– Sewing needle and cream or beige thread (to secure the bow)
– Blocking mat or foam board
– Rust-proof pins
– Spray bottle, plus optional fabric stiffener or spray starch
– Ruler or tape measure
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rep – repeat
Special stitches:
- V-st (V-stitch): (dc, ch 2, dc) all in the same stitch.
- Shell: 5 dc worked in the same space.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 10 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm) with the 3.5 mm hook. That is 5 sc per inch.
Make one ornament as your test piece. It is small, so a full wreath is the best gauge swatch. Check each stage against these measurements, taken flat without stretching.
- After the foundation ring: The ring lies as a loop about 1.9 in (4.8 cm) across.
- After Round 1: Outer diameter about 2.3 in (5.8 cm). Band width about 0.2 in (0.5 cm).
- After Round 2: Outer diameter about 3.0 in (7.6 cm). This round adds about 0.35 in (0.9 cm) on each side.
- After Round 3, unblocked: About 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
- After blocking: 3.75 in (9.5 cm).
If your wreath is too big by more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm) at the Round 2 checkpoint, switch to a 3.25 mm (D-3) hook and restart.
If it is too small by more than 0.25 in (0.6 cm), switch to a 3.75 mm (F-5) hook.
If Round 1 ruffles, your sc are too loose for the ring. Go down a hook size. If Round 1 cups into a tube, go up a hook size.
Wreath Pattern
The wreath is worked in joined rounds with the right side facing. Do not turn.
Foundation Ring
Ch 30. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring. Do not twist the chain.
The ring should be about 1.9 in (4.8 cm) across. This chain becomes the inner edge of the wreath and sets the hollow center.
Round 1 (Single Crochet Base)
Ch 1. Work 36 sc into the ring. Insert your hook through the center opening and work over the chain, not into the individual chains. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
Stitch count: 36 sc.
As you work, slide the stitches along the chain so they sit evenly. Working over the ring lets you fit 36 sc around a 30-ch inner edge. The outer edge is longer than the inner edge, so the extra stitches keep the band flat instead of cupping.
Checkpoint: Outer diameter about 2.3 in (5.8 cm). The band should lie flat with no ripples.
Round 2 (Open V-Stitch Lace)
Ch 5. This counts as the first dc plus ch 2. Dc in the same st as the join. This is the first V-st.
Skip 2 sc, V-st in next sc. Rep from * 10 more times. Skip the last 2 sc. Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-5.
Stitch count: 12 V-sts = 24 dc and 12 ch-2 sps.
Check the math: 36 sc ÷ 3 = 12 repeats. Each repeat uses 1 sc for the V-st and skips 2 sc. The V-sts land on sc 1, 4, 7, and so on through sc 34. Sc 35 and 36 are skipped before the join.
This round creates the open, lacy look. The ch-2 sps at the center of each V become the bases for the scallops. The gaps between V-sts become the anchors between scallops.
Checkpoint: Outer diameter about 3.0 in (7.6 cm). This is your size before the border. The V-sts should fan outward evenly. A slight wave is normal for lace and will block out.
Border
The scalloped edge is a single shell round worked into Round 2.
Border Gauge
At this point, the outer circumference of Round 2 is about 9.4 in (23.9 cm). Divided by 12 repeats, each shell gets about 0.8 in (2.0 cm) at its base. It opens to about 1 in (2.5 cm) along its curved outer edge.
A 5-dc shell measures about 1 in (2.5 cm) across its tops at 5 dc per inch. So each shell fits its arc without ruffling or pulling. The border is worked at the same gauge as the rest of the wreath, with no hook change.
Round 3 (Shell Scallops)
Sl st into the first ch-2 sp.
Ch 3. This counts as the first dc. Work 4 dc in the same ch-2 sp. This is the first shell.
Sc in the sp between this V-st and the next V-st, shell (5 dc) in the next ch-2 sp. Rep from * 10 more times.
Sc in the last sp between V-sts. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Stitch count: 72 sts = 12 shells (60 dc) and 12 sc.
Why the Math Works
Round 2 has 12 ch-2 sps and 12 between-V gaps, and they alternate. Round 3 places one shell in each ch-2 sp and one sc in each gap. That gives exactly 12 shells and 12 sc, with no leftover or missing spaces.
Here is the count: 12 shells × 5 dc = 60 dc, plus 12 sc = 72 sts.
The sc stitches pull in slightly between shells. This creates the scalloped edge around the full circle. The 12 scallops are spaced evenly at about 30 degrees each (360 ÷ 12 = 30).
Optional picot variation: For a picot accent, work the 3rd dc of each shell as dc, ch 3, sl st in the top of that dc. The stitch count stays 72 sts plus 12 picots.
Checkpoint: About 3.5 in (8.9 cm) unblocked. The border should add about 3/8 in (1.0 cm) on each side once blocked.
Finishing the Ends
Weave the final tail through the backs of a few shell stitches. Weave the starting tail into the Round 1 sc. Do not trim the tails closely until after blocking.
Final Blocking
Blocking turns the lace from slightly ruffled to crisp and flat.
- Wet the wreath in cool water, or spray it until it is evenly damp.
- Press out the excess water in a towel. Do not wring it.
- Draw or mark a 3.75 in (9.5 cm) circle on your blocking mat. Also mark a 1.9 in (4.8 cm) circle in its center.
- Lay the wreath right side up. Pin the inner chain edge to the inner circle at 4 even points.
- Pin the center dc of each shell to the outer circle. Use 12 pins, about 30 degrees apart.
- Check that every scallop is the same size. Adjust the pins until the shells look even.
- For a stiffer ornament, mist the wreath lightly with fabric stiffener or spray starch.
- Let it dry completely, usually 6 to 12 hours.
- Unpin the wreath and trim the woven tails.
Attaching the Bow and Hanger
Bow: Tie the 12 in (30.5 cm) beige ribbon into a small bow about 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. Trim the tails at an angle to about 1 in (2.5 cm). Place the bow at the top center of the wreath over Rounds 2 and 3. Stitch it through the knot to the wreath with sewing thread so it can’t slide.
Hanger: Thread the 8 in (20.3 cm) gold string through a Round 2 V-st directly behind the bow. Knot the ends together. The loop will hang about 3 in (7.6 cm) above the wreath. Tuck the knot behind the bow so it doesn’t show.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Round 1 has 36 sc and lies flat.
- Round 2 has 12 V-sts, evenly spaced.
- Round 3 has 12 shells of 5 dc, with 12 sc between them.
- Blocked diameter is 3.75 in (9.5 cm).
- The center opening is about 1.9 in (4.8 cm) and round, not oval.
- All 12 scallops are the same size.
- The bow is centered at the top and securely stitched.
- The gold string hanger is knotted and hidden behind the bow.
- No loose tails show on the front.
Troubleshooting
Round 1 ruffles. Your sc are too loose or too large. Go down one hook size, or work a little tighter over the chain.
Round 1 cups like a tube. The sc are too tight for the outer edge. Go up one hook size and check that you worked all 36 sc.
Round 2 ends with extra or missing sc. Count your skips. Each repeat must skip exactly 2 sc. Rip back and recount by marking every 3rd sc.
Scallops are uneven. Confirm each shell has 5 dc and that each sc sits in the gap between V-sts, not in a dc. Blocking will fix small differences.
The edge waves after blocking. Your dc may be too tall. Use the smaller hook for Rounds 2 and 3 only.
The center opening is oval. Re-wet the wreath and pin the inner edge at 8 points instead of 4.
The bow tilts or slides. Add a second stitch through the bow knot into Round 3.
The ornament feels limp. Re-block it with fabric stiffener or a stronger starch.
Care
Spot clean only, using cool water and a gentle touch. Store the ornament flat in tissue paper so the scallops and bow keep their shape.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple to track. The 30-ch ring sets a 1.9 in (4.8 cm) opening. Round 1’s 36 sc bring the wreath to 2.3 in (5.8 cm). Round 2’s 12 V-sts bring it to 3.0 in (7.6 cm). Round 3’s 12 shells and blocking finish it at 3.75 in (9.5 cm).
Each round’s count divides evenly into the next: 36 sc ÷ 3 = 12 V-sts, and 12 V-sts give 12 shells. Hit those checkpoints and every wreath will match. Optionally, once you have one wreath you like, you can make several more to hang around the tree, each one finished as its own separate ornament.
Happy crocheting!