Crochet Christmas Tree Ornaments: Free Bell Pattern

Among all crochet Christmas tree ornaments, the bell is the classic. It has rung in the holidays for generations, on real trees, on cards, and in carols, and a crocheted one brings that same old-fashioned charm to your own collection of crochet christmas tree ornaments.

Below I am sharing everything about making one: the flared body shape, the scalloped rim, the hanging loop, and the jingle clapper that makes it actually ring. At the end, you can grab my free crochet Christmas tree ornaments bell pattern to make your own.

Why a Crochet Bell Belongs on Your Tree

Every tree needs a bell. Balls and stars are lovely, but a bell ornament has a shape that reads as Christmas from across the room. It catches the light differently, swings gently when the tree is touched, and with a real jingle bell inside, it chimes softly when you hang it.

It is also a beautifully quick make. One finished bell stands about 3.5 inches tall, uses around 30 yards of yarn, and works up in one evening. Make a whole set of these crochet christmas tree ornaments in matching colors and you have a coordinated tree in a weekend. For a different style, the lace bell ornament pattern from Quicks Recipes shows the same idea worked in a delicate open stitch.

Anatomy of a Crochet Bell Ornament

A bell has a simple silhouette: narrow at the top, flaring wide at the bottom. Getting that steady, even flare is the whole craft of these crochet christmas tree ornaments.

The Flared Bell Body

My pattern works the bell from the top down in joined single crochet rounds, increasing steadily so the sides slope outward in a smooth bell curve. Because it is worked top-down, the shaping is easy to check as you go: lay it on a real bell or a small cup and the silhouette should match. If you have made our crochet angel ornament, you will recognize the same top-down shaping technique.

The Scalloped Rim

The final round is what turns a cone into a bell: a row of little scallops worked around the bottom edge. Six fan scallops give the rim its classic wavy finish and make the bell look finished even before you add anything else. Work them in a contrast color for a two-tone look, or keep one color for an elegant single-shade ornament. DIY Candy has a simple bell pattern that shows how well this flat-to-flared construction works.

The Hanging Loop and Clapper

No bell is complete without a way to hang it and something to ring. A chain-stitched loop at the top, about 4 inches long, hooks neatly over any branch. Inside, a small gold jingle bell tied on a short yarn cord hangs from the top of the bell and rings softly when the ornament moves. If the ornament is for a baby’s first Christmas, skip the jingle bell and stitch a yarn tassel clapper instead.

Yarn, Hook, and Size

Worsted-weight (#4) yarn is the best choice for a crochet bell ornament. Acrylic or cotton both work: acrylic gives you metallic and glitter shades, while cotton gives a crisper stitch and a more heirloom feel. Use a US G-6 (4.0 mm) hook so the fabric is dense enough to hold the bell shape on its own.

My pattern finishes about 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall, not counting the hanging loop, and about 3 inches (7.5 cm) across the rim. That is a classic scale for crochet christmas tree ornaments that sits well among standard baubles. For a daintier bell, work the same shaping in DK yarn with a 3.5 mm hook; for a big statement bell for the top of the tree, use bulky yarn with a 5.5 mm hook.

Displaying and Gifting Your Bell

Bells love company. Hang a set of six in matching colors down one side of the tree, or mix gold, cream, and deep red for a traditional look that matches everything. These crochet christmas tree ornaments also hang beautifully from a garland, on a wreath, or from a chandelier over the holiday table, where they catch the light and chime in the draft.

As gifts, they are ideal: small, fast, and personal. Tie one to a bottle of wine with the ribbon loop, tuck one into a Christmas card envelope, or make a pair for each grandchild with their initial embroidered on the bell. A set of handmade bells next to our crochet snowman makes a gift basket look instantly thoughtful.

Get the Free Pattern

Looking for a crochet christmas tree ornaments pattern free to download? I wrote the complete crochet christmas tree ornaments bell pattern as a printable PDF: the top-down flared body, the scalloped rim round, the chain hanging loop, and instructions for attaching the jingle bell clapper. It is free for our newsletter subscribers, so use the signup box at the top of this article to get your copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the finished crochet bell ornament?
About 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall, not counting the hanging loop, and about 3 inches (7.5 cm) across the rim, when worked in worsted-weight yarn with a 4.0 mm hook.

What yarn is best for a crochet bell ornament?
Worsted-weight (#4) acrylic or cotton. Metallic acrylics look festive, while cotton gives a crisper, more heirloom-style stitch.

What hook size do I need?
A US G-6 (4.0 mm) hook, so the fabric is dense enough to hold the flared bell shape.

Does the bell need stiffening?
No. Worked in worsted yarn with a 4.0 mm hook, the fabric is firm enough to hold its shape. Stiffener is optional if you want an extra-crisp bell.

What kind of clapper should I use?
A small gold jingle bell (about 0.75 inch) tied on a short yarn cord, so it rings softly. For baby-safe ornaments, use a yarn tassel instead.

Can a beginner crochet the bell?
Yes. The whole bell is single crochet in joined rounds with simple increases, so a confident beginner can make it. The pattern is rated easy.