The Winter Lantern Lace Ornament is a pointed teardrop of cream cotton lace that hangs on the tree like a small glowing lantern. A six-petal flower sits in the center, framed by a solid ring and a band of open “windows.” The outline comes to a soft point at the top and a sharper point at the bottom.
The design uses one color only, a warm cream or ivory, so the stitch texture does all the work. It looks classic and a little vintage, and it suits natural, Scandinavian, or gold-and-white tree themes.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished ornament measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide and 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall without the loop. With the hanging loop it is 6.75 in (17.1 cm) tall.
You work the ornament in the round from the center out. First comes the flower, then a solid ring, a ladder band, and a second solid ring. One shaping round of graded post heights turns the circle into a teardrop. A single-crochet border sharpens the edge, and a wrapped chain loop finishes the top.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) wide x 5.25 in (13.3 cm) tall; 6.75 in (17.1 cm) with the loop
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Size 3 cotton crochet thread (light fingering)
- Hook: 2.0 mm
- Number of pieces: 1
- Layout: Single motif, worked in the round
- Piece size: Circle of 3.2 in (8.1 cm) diameter after Rnd 6
- Size before border: 3.3 in (8.4 cm) x 4.9 in (12.4 cm)
- Border depth: about 0.1 in (0.3 cm), plus small chain points at the top and bottom
Materials
Choose a mercerized cotton thread in size 3. Mercerized cotton holds crisp stitch definition, blocks well, and does not fuzz. Avoid acrylic, because it will not hold a blocked point.
- Cream / ivory: 12 g, about 20 m (22 yd) per ornament
The quantity includes a margin of about 30% for the gauge swatch, the hanging loop, and the wrapping tail. If you plan a set of five, buy 60 g (100 m / 110 yd) from one dye lot.
Tools:
– 2.0 mm crochet hook
– Fine tapestry needle
– 2 stitch markers
– Rustproof pins
– Blocking mat or folded towel
– Spray bottle, and optional fabric stiffener or starch
– Ruler or tape measure
– Scissors
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble crochet (yo twice)
- dtr – double treble (yo 3 times, then [yo, pull through 2] 4 times)
- trtr – triple treble (yo 4 times, then [yo, pull through 2] 5 times)
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- MR – magic ring
Special stitch – Standing sc: Start with a slip knot on the hook. Insert the hook into the stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, and pull through both loops.
Special technique – Split petal: Each petal is made of two mirrored halves that meet at the tip. The small gap where the halves meet forms the center line you see on each petal.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 9 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), and Rnds 1–4 measure 2.1 in (5.3 cm) across.
Rnds 1–4 work as your gauge swatch, so test one piece first.
Checkpoints:
– After Rnd 2, the flower measures 1.75 in (4.4 cm) from petal tip to opposite petal tip.
– After Rnd 4, the circle measures 2.1 in (5.3 cm) across.
– After Rnd 6, the circle measures 3.2 in (8.1 cm) across.
– After Rnd 7, the piece measures 3.3 in (8.4 cm) x 4.9 in (12.4 cm).
– After blocking, the piece measures 3.5 in (8.9 cm) x 5.25 in (13.3 cm).
If your piece is too big: If Rnd 4 is wider than 2.3 in (5.8 cm), change to a 1.75 mm hook.
If your piece is too small: If Rnd 4 is narrower than 1.9 in (4.8 cm), change to a 2.25 mm hook.
Fix gauge at Rnd 4 before you go on. Every later round depends on it.
Pattern: Flower Center
Rnd 1: MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in the ring. Pull the ring snug, leaving a small open center about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) wide. Sl st to the top of ch-3. (12 dc)
Rnd 2 (petals): Ch 1, sc in the same st.
- Half A: Ch 7. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in the next ch, dc in each of the next 2 ch, tr in each of the next 2 ch. (6 sts)
- Half B: Sc in the next dc of Rnd 1. Ch 6, then sl st into the tip sc of Half A. Working back down the ch-6: sc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, dc in each of the next 2 ch, tr in each of the next 2 ch. (6 sts)
- Sc in the next dc of Rnd 1, then work Half A and Half B; repeat from * 4 more times.
Sl st to the first sc and fasten off. (6 petals; each petal uses 2 dc of Rnd 1, so 12 ÷ 2 = 6)
Check that the petals lie flat and that the two halves of each petal meet cleanly at the tip.
Rnd 3: Join with a standing sc into the tip of any petal, working through the sc where Half B joined. Mark this petal as the top petal. Ch 8, sc in the tip of the next petal; repeat from * 4 more times, then ch 8. Sl st to the first sc. (6 sc, 6 ch-8 sps)*
Rnd 4 (solid ring): Ch 1, sc in the same st, 9 sc in the next ch-8 sp. Sc in the next sc, 9 sc in the next ch-8 sp; repeat from * 4 more times. Sl st to the first sc. (6 sc + 54 sc = 60 sc)*
Checkpoint: 2.1 in (5.3 cm) across.
Pattern: Ladder Band
Rnd 5: Ch 4 (counts as tr), ch 2, sk 1. Tr in the next st, ch 2, sk 1; repeat from * 28 more times. Sl st to the 4th ch of the beginning ch-4. (30 tr, 30 ch-2 sps)*
The first tr sits directly above the top petal.
Rnd 6 (solid ring): Ch 1, sc in the same st, 2 sc in the next ch-2 sp. Sc in the next tr, 2 sc in the next ch-2 sp; repeat from * 28 more times. Sl st to the first sc. (30 sc on posts + 60 sc in spaces = 90 sc)*
Number the stitches: st 1 is the first sc, which sits above the top petal. St 46 sits exactly opposite, above the bottom petal. Place one marker in st 1 and one in st 46.
Checkpoint: 3.2 in (8.1 cm) across, lying flat.
Pattern: Teardrop Shaping
This round places one post in every 3rd stitch. That gives a post on st 1 (top) and st 46 (bottom), with 14 posts on each side between them.
Post heights change gradually, so the circle stretches into a teardrop. The posts are short at the sides, taller at the top, and tallest at the bottom.
Rnd 7:
– Ch 5 in st 1 (counts as dtr).
– Ch 3, sk 2, dtr in st 4.
– Ch 3, sk 2, tr in st 7.
– Ch 3, sk 2, dc in st 10.
– Ch 2, sk 2, hdc in st 13.
– [Ch 2, sk 2, sc in the next st] 3 times (sts 16, 19, 22).
– Ch 2, sk 2, hdc in st 25.
– Ch 2, sk 2, dc in st 28.
– Ch 3, sk 2, tr in st 31.
– [Ch 3, sk 2, dtr in the next st] 2 times (sts 34, 37).
– [Ch 3, sk 2, trtr in the next st] 2 times (sts 40, 43).
– Ch 3, sk 2, (trtr, ch 3, trtr) in st 46 to make the bottom tip.
Work the second side as a mirror of the first:
– [Ch 3, sk 2, trtr in the next st] 2 times (sts 49, 52).
– [Ch 3, sk 2, dtr in the next st] 2 times (sts 55, 58).
– Ch 3, sk 2, tr in st 61.
– Ch 3, sk 2, dc in st 64.
– Ch 2, sk 2, hdc in st 67.
– [Ch 2, sk 2, sc in the next st] 3 times (sts 70, 73, 76).
– Ch 2, sk 2, hdc in st 79.
– Ch 2, sk 2, dc in st 82.
– Ch 3, sk 2, tr in st 85.
– Ch 3, sk 2, dtr in st 88.
– Ch 3, sk 2, sl st to the top of the beginning ch-5.
Count: 31 posts (1 top + 14 per side + 2 at the bottom). There are 31 spaces: 12 ch-2 sps and 19 ch-3 sps, which includes the bottom tip sp.
Rule for chain length: Each space uses ch 3 if the taller post beside it is a tr or taller, and ch 2 if it is a dc, hdc, or sc. This keeps every window open without ruffling.
Checkpoint: 3.3 in (8.4 cm) x 4.9 in (12.4 cm), with the top and bottom already pointed.
Border
Border gauge: 18 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm), the same as the body gauge.
Rnd 8: Ch 1, then (sc, ch 3, sc) in the same st to make the top point.
First side:
– 3 sc in each of the next 3 ch-3 sps, with sc in each post between them (k1 dtr, k2 tr).
– Sc in the dc post.
– 2 sc in each of the next 6 ch-2 sps, with sc in each post between them (hdc, 3 sc, hdc, dc).
– 3 sc in each of the next 6 ch-3 sps, with sc in each post between them (tr, 2 dtr, 2 trtr).
Bottom tip: Sc in the first bottom trtr, (2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc) in the tip ch-3 sp, sc in the second bottom trtr.
Second side: Mirror the first side, so 3 sc in each ch-3 sp, 2 sc in each ch-2 sp, and sc in each post.
Sl st to the first sc and fasten off.
Counts per side: 14 posts + (6 ch-2 sps x 2 sc) + (9 ch-3 sps x 3 sc) = 14 + 12 + 27 = 53 sc per side.
Total: 53 + 53 + 2 sc at the top + 6 sc at the bottom = 114 sc, plus 2 ch-3 points.
Why the math works:
– Each chain gets one sc, so the edge length matches the round below. Nothing is added or removed.
– Each post gets one sc, so the edge stays firm without pulling in.
– At 9 sc per inch, 114 sc gives about 12.7 in (32.3 cm) of edge. That is the perimeter of the blocked teardrop.
– The two extra ch-3 points are the only extras, and they create the sharp top and bottom.
Hanging loop:
1. Join the thread in the top ch-3 point.
2. Ch 30, sl st in the same ch-3 sp, and fasten off. Leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail.
3. Thread the tail on a needle. Wrap it tightly 8–10 times around both loop strands just above the point. This makes a neck about 0.375 in (1.0 cm) long.
4. Pass the needle down through the wraps and weave the tail into the border.
The finished loop measures about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Final Blocking
- Weave in all ends along the solid rings, where they hide best.
- Soak the ornament in cool water for 10 minutes, then roll it in a towel to remove excess water.
- Lay it right side up on the blocking mat.
- Pin the bottom tip first, then the top point 5.25 in (13.3 cm) above it.
- Pin the widest points of the sides 3.5 in (8.9 cm) apart, slightly below the center.
- Add one pin in each window of the ladder band, pulling gently outward to open it evenly.
- Shape each petal flat with your fingertips so the center lines are straight.
- For a stiff ornament, spray it with starch or stiffener and let it dry completely, about 12–24 hours.
- Unpin, and pinch the top and bottom points to sharpen them.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The flower has 6 petals, with one pointing straight up and one straight down.
- Every petal shows a clean center line.
- Rnd 4 has 60 sc, Rnd 6 has 90 sc, Rnd 7 has 31 posts, and Rnd 8 has 114 sc.
- The ladder band has 30 even windows.
- The sides are a mirror image of each other.
- The bottom tip is sharper than the top point.
- The size is 3.5 in (8.9 cm) x 5.25 in (13.3 cm).
- The loop is 1.5 in (3.8 cm), with a tight wrapped neck.
- No loose ends show on either side.
Troubleshooting
Petals curl: Your tr stitches are too tight. Loosen your tension on the last 2 stitches of each half.
Rnd 4 cups: Check that you worked 9 sc per sp, not 8.
Rnd 6 ruffles: Your tension is loose. Go down one hook size from Rnd 5 onward, or steam it flat before Rnd 7.
The shape is lopsided: Count the stitches between your markers. There should be 44 sts on each side between st 1 and st 46.
The bottom point is blunt: Pull the ch-3 tip tight when blocking, and make sure both trtr posts are in st 46.
The neck unwinds: Wrap more tightly, then stitch through the wraps twice.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, then reshape and dry flat. Store the ornament flat between tissue so the points stay crisp.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is short and reliable:
– Rnds 1–4: 2.1 in (5.3 cm)
– Rnd 6: 3.2 in (8.1 cm)
– Rnd 7: 3.3 in (8.4 cm) x 4.9 in (12.4 cm)
– Blocked: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) x 5.25 in (13.3 cm), and 6.75 in (17.1 cm) with the loop
If each checkpoint matches, the teardrop will come out right. Make one, then make a whole set for the tree.
Happy crocheting!