Petal Loop Stitch Ornament: A Textured Crochet Ornament Pattern

I have a bin of clear plastic ornaments that has followed me through three Christmases, bought on a whim after the holidays one year because they were almost free, then promptly ignored. This is the crochet ornament pattern that finally emptied it. I sat down with a skein of Herrschners Worsted 8 in a soft sage, meant to make one ornament, and got up two hours later with a bowl of them in sage, cream, and a deep Christmas red.

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What kept me going was the texture. The Petal Loop Stitch gives this crochet ornament pattern a raised, almost quilted look that makes people pick them up off the tree and turn them over, which is not something anyone has ever done with a plain single crochet ball. And unlike most ornament covers, this one is worked flat in rows, not in the round, so there is no fighting a magic ring or counting rounds on a tiny tube.

I have been designing crochet patterns for over a decade, and I love a make that looks fancier than the effort it takes. These land squarely in that camp: the texture does all the heavy lifting, and a whole coordinating set comes together faster than you would expect.

Why You’ll Love This Petal Loop Crochet Ornament Pattern

• A single ornament takes an evening, so a whole coordinating set is a realistic weekend project.
• The Petal Loop Stitch texture looks intricate and heirloom-worthy, yet it works with a simple four-row repeat.
• It is worked flat in rows, then seamed, so no working in the round and no magic ring.
• It comes in four sizes plus adjustable instructions, so there is an option for the ornaments you already have.
• Worsted-weight yarn makes it fast and affordable, and it eats into scrap skeins beautifully.

Yarn Substitutions

The sample is made with Herrschners Worsted 8, a 100% acrylic worsted-weight yarn (489 yds / 226 g).

t is smooth, comes in rich holiday colors, and one skein makes several ornaments. You will use roughly 40 yards for a small ornament and up to 75 yards for the largest size.

I reached for worsted-weight yarn for a reason. It has enough body to make the petal texture stand up and catch the light, but it is still fine enough to gather smoothly at the top and bottom without bunching. Worsted is also the weight most of us already have in the stash, and a single skein stretches across a whole set, so a coordinating bowl of ornaments costs next to nothing. If you want to swap, any of these worsted weight options work well:

• Herrschners Holiday Sparkle for a bit of festive shimmer
• Herrschners Supreme Worsted
• Mary Maxim Maximum Value
• Brava Tweed for a cozy, speckled look

Remember always to check the gauge and drape when substituting yarns.

Skill Level

Intermediate

You will want to be comfortable with single crochet and half double crochet and with following a stitch repeat. The Petal Loop Stitch itself is the only new part, and it is taught fully in the video, so an adventurous, confident beginner can absolutely manage it with the tutorial open.

Sizing & Finished Measurements

The pattern comes in four sizes plus adjustable instructions. Ornament width (not diameter):

• Small Round: 2.3″
• Flattened Round: 3.15″
• Medium Round: 3.15″
• Large Round: 3.94″

Abbreviations

blo – back loop only
ch – chain
RS/WS – Right Side/Wrong Side
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)

Gauge

15 sts and 13 rows = 4″ by 4″ in stitch pattern repeat

Not critical for this pattern.

Special Stitches Used in This Crochet Ornament Pattern

Third Loop – see video tutorial

3-Loop-Petal: Insert the hook into the back loop of the previously worked stitch (or petal) and pull up a loop. Pull up one loop in each of the next two stitches of the previous row, for a total of four loops on the hook. Yarn over and
draw through all four loops to complete the stitch.

2-Loop-Petal: Insert the hook into the back loop of the previously worked stitch (or “petal”) and pull up a loop. Pull up one loop in the next st/space, for a total of three loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw through all three loops to
complete the stitch.

Stsc: Insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. (This will now look similar to a single crochet stitch, but we aren’t done yet.) Insert your hook into the
vertical bar below in the stitch made, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

The Petal Loop Stitch

The star of this ornament is the Petal Loop Stitch, a raised, looped texture that sits up off the fabric in little rows of petals. It is built from a stacked single crochet and a pair of pulled-up loop stitches worked in a four-row repeat, which is what gives the cover its quilted, dimensional surface.

If the stitch is new to you, watch it before you start. I filmed a full walkthrough here: how to crochet the Petal Loop Stitch. Seeing the loops pulled up and closed on camera makes it click far faster than any written description can, and once the rhythm of the four rows is in your hands, the ornament flies. (I also have a step-by-step blog post – How to Crochet the Petal Loop Stitch.)

Using Worsted Weight and Other Yarn Swaps

A lot of ornament cover patterns are written for bulky or velvet yarn, which is great until you open your stash and find it full of worsted. This pattern is worsted-native, so you do not have to convert anything to use what you most likely already have.

If you want to swap yarns, stay in the worsted-weight family so the sizing holds, and lean toward the largest hook the yarn recommends so the fabric stays flexible and stretches nicely over the ball. A sparkle or tweed yarn changes the whole mood of the ornament without changing the pattern. If you drop down to a lighter yarn, expect to add rows to reach the same width, and swatch first so you are not guessing.

Troubleshooting: Getting a Tube, Not a Coaster

The most common complaint about any ornament cover, mine included, is that the piece starts to look like a flat coaster rather than something that will wrap around a ball. Because this pattern is worked flat and then seamed, you sidestep most of that. Your fabric should stay flat while you work it. It only becomes round when you seam and cinch.

A couple of things to check as you go. First, keep your tension a little firmer than usual. A loose, floppy fabric will not hug the ornament, and the texture will not pop. Second, always finish a full four-row repeat before you measure, because stopping partway leaves the petal texture unfinished and your width reading will be off. Third, before you seam, hold the fabric around the actual ornament and check the fit. It is far easier to add or remove a repeat now than after everything is sewn shut.

Petal Loop Crochet Ornament Pattern Written Instructions

Row 3:

Stsc in first, insert your hook into the loop on the back of the Stsc, yo and pull up a loop, insert your hook into the next st, yo and pull up a loop, insert into the next st, yo and pull up a loop (4 loops on the hook), yo and pull through all the loops on the hook, ch 1, *insert into the loop on the back of the previous st, yo and pull up a loop, [insert your hook into the next st, yo and pull up a loop] twice (4 loops on the hook), yo and pull through all the loops on the hook, ch 1; repeat from * across until last 5 sts, insert into the loop on the back of the previous st, yo and pull up a loop, insert your hook into the next st, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook), yo and pull through all the loops on hook, blo sl st into the last 4 sts, turn.

Row 4:

Ch 1, blo sl st into the first 4 sts, sc in the next, 2 sc in next st, *skip 1, 2 sc in next; repeat from * across until the last 2 sts, skip 1, sc in last, turn.

Repeats:

Repeat Rows 1-4 until there are a total of 24 (28, 32, 36) rows.

Check the final measurement of the crochet piece by wrapping it around the ornament, and add or remove rows as needed.

Seaming

With WS facing out, fold the fabric to make the seam (the first row with the last row worked).

Insert your hook through the first stitch closest to you and into the stitch on the side farthest from you. Yarn over and sl st to join. Continue working down the row until all sts are joined.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. You will weave this tail end to the other end of the fabric tube, so give yourself plenty of length.

Now flip your ornament fabric so the RS is facing out.

Finishing

Using the long tail and your yarn needle, loop through each point (every two rows) around the bottom of the ornament and cinch closed to gather the fabric, then continue seaming up the side to close the tube. Place your ornament inside, then weave the tail up to the top and loop through each point around the opening, cinching it closed with the same motion to snug the fabric around the top. Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends.

If you would like to dress it up, add a length of twine for hanging and thread on a few beads for an extra special touch.

Petal Loop Ornament FAQs

How much yarn do I need per ornament?

Plan on roughly 40 yards for a small or flattened round ornament, about 65 yards for a medium, and around 75 yards for the largest size. A single 489-yard skein of worsted-weight yarn will make a whole coordinating set with yarn to spare, which is part of why these are such good scrap-buster and gift projects.

What size crochet hook should I use for an ornament cover?

The sample uses a G+ (4.5 mm) hook and worsted-weight yarn. As a general rule for ornament covers, reach for the largest hook the yarn label recommends. A slightly larger hook keeps the fabric flexible, so it stretches smoothly over the plastic ball and shows off the texture rather than squashing it.

Can I use worsted-weight yarn instead of bulky yarn?

Yes, in fact, this pattern is written for worsted-weight yarn from the start. Many ornament patterns assume bulky or velvet yarn, so if your stash is mostly worsted, this one saves you from converting anything. Stick within the worsted family if you substitute, and swatch so your sizing stays true.

Why is my ornament cover coming out flat like a coaster?

With this pattern that is actually expected, because the fabric is worked flat and only becomes round when you seam and cinch it closed. If it feels too loose or floppy, slightly increase the tension and make sure you finish full four-row repeats before measuring. Hold the fabric around your ornament before seaming to confirm the fit.

Can I sell ornaments I make from this pattern?

Yes. You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern on a small scale, and a credit to Briana K Designs is always appreciated. You may not copy, share, or redistribute the pattern itself, but the ornaments you make with it are yours to sell.

What yarn is best for crochet ornaments?

A smooth worsted-weight acrylic like Herrschners Worsted 8 is a great all-rounder: it is affordable, comes in holiday colors, and has enough give to fit snugly. Sparkle and tweed yarns are fun for a festive or rustic look. Whatever you choose, a yarn with a little stretch will always fit an ornament better than a stiff one.

Whether you make one or fill a whole bowl, these little ornaments have a way of turning a bin of forgotten plastic balls into something you actually want on the tree. Grab your favorite worsted, pour a warm drink, and cover a few. I think you’ll find it hard to stop at one.