Modern Crochet Bauble Ornaments with Beads | Free Pattern + Video

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• Crochet Pony Bead Ornaments
• How To Add Beads As You Crochet
• Print this Pattern
• Step-By-Step Video Tutorial
• Recommended Crochet Hook Sizes
• Recommended Yarn
• Recommended Beads
• Beads and Baubles Ornaments – Free Pattern
• Invitation to our Facebook group

How To Add Beads As You Crochet

Here’s how you’ll add a row of beads to your ornament without pre-stringing the beads onto your yarn. Each stitch with a beads (abbreviated sc-bead in the pattern below) alternates with a half double crochet.

Step-By-Step Video Tutorial

In this video, I go over how to choose the best supplies and how to crochet your ornaments from start to finish. I share how to add beads as you go and how to modify your starting chain to fit different size plastic ornament shapes.

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Recommended Crochet Hook Sizes

Hook Size: The best hook size to use will depend on the yarn and beads you’re using. I recommend trying your yarn and bead combo and choosing the largest size hook that works with the bead holes.

As a general guideline, a hook that’s 1mm smaller than the bead hole size tends to work well.

Hook used in this tutorial: G (4.0mm) Prym crochet hook

Hook Shape: I’ve found that inline crochet hooks tend to work the best because the tip doesn’t protrude like tapered hooks. That said, use what you have and find the hook size that fits in your beads!

Recommended Yarn

You can crochet your ornaments using any worsted-weight (category #4)  yarn, making this a fun project for using up scraps or leftover skeins.

Recommended Beads

Bead Material: I used plastic and wooden pony beads to create the ornaments pictured. Buying them in bulk is more economical. Check out the video tutorial above for more explanation of why you’d want to choose one type of bead over another.

Beads used in this tutorial:

Type	Bead Hole	Where to Purchase
Plastic pony beads – bulk	4mm	🛒 Amazon
Plastic pony beads – by color	4mm	🛒 Amazon
Small wooden (pony)	5mm	🛒 Amazon

Bead Hole Size: In my experience, a 4mm hole is the minimum size that works well with worsted-weight yarn. This is the hole size of most plastic “pony” beads, which are easy to source from craft stores or Amazon. 

Number of Beads: You’ll need nine beads per row to recreate the look in the photos. This is 72 beads total. If you’d like to use two colors of beads per ornament, as pictured, you’ll need 36 beads of each color. 

Note that some bead kits with a large variety of colors don’t come with 36 beads of each color.

If you find yourself in this position, consider alternating two similar colors for one row, then two similar colors for another row.

For example:
Bead Row 1: A, B, A, B, A, B…
Bead Row 2: C, D, C, D, C, D…
Bead Row 3: A, B, A, B, A, B…
Bead Row 4: C, D, C, D, C, D…

Additional Supplies

• Tapestry needle

• Plastic fillable ornaments – 3” balls, 4” discs and 4” squares pictured

Skill Level

These bead ornaments are appropriate for beginners who know basic stitches like chain, single crochet and half double crochet.

Abbreviations + Glossary (US Terms)

ch – chain
chsp – chain space
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
hdcblo – half double crochet through the back loop only
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sc – single crochet
sc-bead – single crochet with a bead (see tutorial at end of pattern)
st(s) – stitch(es)

Gauge

8 hdc x 5 rows = 2”

How to Make the Ornament Rectangle

• If you’re new to reading crochet patterns, check out more info here.

Finishing

Seaming: With either side facing out, fold rectangle so final row is lined up with foundation chain. Sew together using tapestry needle and leftover yarn tail. Fasten off.

Closing Bottom: Turn tube inside out. Using tapestry needle and leftover yarn tail if possible, use a sewing running stitch around the rectangle edge that will form the bottom of the ornament. Pull on seaming yarn to cinch closed. Work a few criss cross sewing stitches to close up center if necessary. Fasten off. 

Closing Top: Turn ornament sleeve right side out. Using tapestry needle and leftover yarn tail if possible, use a sewing running stitch around the rectangle edge that will form the top of the ornament. Insert plastic ornament inside your crocheted piece. Pull on seaming yarn to cinch closed. Fasten off and tuck final yarn tail inside project.

Hanging Loop: I like leather cord as an attractive string to hang the ornaments. Consider adding a few wooden beads to the hanging loop for extra style. 

Trim your tree with your new ornament and start planning your next one!