Crochet Bauble Patterns: 3 Free Designs in UK Terms

A crochet bauble is one of the quickest festive makes you can hook from leftover yarn, and it will not shatter if the cat knocks the tree. There are three free patterns below, all in UK terms: a ribbed cover that slips over a plain bauble, a soft stuffed ball, and a lacy cover worked in rounds.

Each crochet bauble pattern uses a small amount of DK yarn and takes an evening or less. We give exact chain and row counts for 6cm, 7cm and 8cm baubles, so you can refresh tired shop-bought decorations or make a matching set from scratch.

All three patterns use UK crochet terms. A UK double crochet (dc) is a US single crochet, and a UK treble (tr) is a US double crochet. Our UK vs US crochet terms guide has the full chart if you need it.

Why make a crochet Christmas bauble?

Glass baubles are pretty, but they chip, crack and fade. A crochet Christmas bauble is soft, light and almost unbreakable, which makes it a kind choice for homes with pets or small children, as long as you leave off beads and bells.

• It uses up scraps. Most designs here need only 6g to 12g of DK yarn.
• It revives old decorations. A ribbed or lacy cover hides scratches and faded paint on plain baubles.
• It is quick to finish. You can make one in a single sitting, even as a beginner.
• It makes a thoughtful gift. A handmade crochet bauble tied to a present is a lovely extra.

If you enjoy little makes like these, our crochet Christmas tree ornaments collection has a star, a mini tree and a peppermint ring to hang alongside them.

What you need for a crochet bauble

• Yarn: DK (double knitting) yarn in festive shades. Cotton gives crisp stitches and suits lace, while acrylic is soft and easy to wash. Allow about 6g to 12g per bauble.
• Hooks: 4mm for the ribbed cover, 3mm for the stuffed ball (a tighter fabric hides the stuffing) and 3.5mm for the lacy cover.
• Plain baubles: round baubles of 6cm, 7cm or 8cm for the two covers. Shatterproof plastic ones are ideal.
• Toy stuffing: a small handful of polyester toy filling for the stuffed ball.
• Extras: a stitch marker, a blunt tapestry needle and sharp scissors.

Not sure what DK means? The Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system explains the standard weights. DK sits at number 3, known as “light”.

Abbreviations (UK terms)

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	chain
ss	slip stitch
dc	double crochet (US single crochet)
tr	treble (US double crochet)
inc	2 dc in the same stitch
dc2tog	double crochet two stitches together (US sc2tog)
BLO	back loop only
st(s) / sp(s)	stitch(es) / space(s)

Tension

Tension is not critical for a crochet bauble, but it helps with sizing. As a guide, the ribbed cover assumes about 18 dc and 22 rows of BLO ribbing to 10cm with DK on a 4mm hook, measured without stretching. If your fabric is looser, follow the next size down in the table.

Pattern 1: ribbed crochet bauble cover (worked flat)

This is the easiest crochet bauble pattern in the set. You work a short strip of back loop ribbing, seam it into a tube and gather both ends over a plain bauble. The ribs run from top to bottom, like the segments of an orange, and the stretch of the ribbing hugs the curve.

The starting chain sets the height of the strip (top to bottom) and the rows travel around the bauble. Choose your size from the table. Figures for 7cm and 8cm baubles are shown in square brackets in the instructions.

Bauble size	Starting chain	Stitches per row	Rows
6cm	ch 16	15 dc	34
7cm	ch 19	18 dc	40
8cm	ch 21	20 dc	46

The strip is deliberately a little smaller than the bauble, so it fits snugly once it is stretched on.

Ribbed cover instructions

Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (15 [18, 20] dc)

Row 2: ch 1 (does not count as a st), dc in BLO of each st across, turn. (15 [18, 20] dc)

Rows 3 to 34 [40, 46]: repeat Row 2. Do not fasten off.

Fit check: a few rows before the end, wrap the strip around the widest part of the bauble. The two short edges should just meet with a gentle stretch. Add or remove 2 rows if needed.

Making up the ribbed cover

1. Fold the strip so the last row lies against the foundation chain. Working through both edges together, ss in each st across to join them into a tube. Fasten off, leaving a 25cm tail.
2. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and run it in and out of the row ends along one open edge. Pull tight to close this end, which becomes the bottom, and secure with a few small stitches.
3. Thread a new 25cm length of yarn in and out of the row ends around the other open edge.
4. Slip the bauble in bottom first, so the metal cap sits at the open edge. Pull the yarn until the cover gathers neatly around the cap, leaving the hanging loop free. Knot securely and weave in the ends.

Stripe ideas: work 4 rows in red and 2 rows in cream for a candy cane look, or change colour every 2 rows for thin vertical pinstripes. Change colour on the last step of the final dc of a row.

Pattern 2: stuffed amigurumi crochet bauble

This crochet bauble is a solid ball worked in a continuous dc spiral, in the same way as amigurumi toys. It needs no plastic bauble inside, so it is light and soft enough for low branches. The finished ball is roughly 5cm to 6cm across in DK on a 3mm hook.

Work in a spiral without joining rounds. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go. If you have not made a magic ring before, our magic ring tutorial walks you through it step by step.

Ball instructions

Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)

Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)

Round 3: (dc in next st, inc) 6 times. (18)

Round 4: (dc in next 2 sts, inc) 6 times. (24)

Round 5: (dc in next 3 sts, inc) 6 times. (30)

Round 6: (dc in next 4 sts, inc) 6 times. (36)

Rounds 7 to 12: dc in each st around. (36)

Round 13: (dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog) 6 times. (30)

Round 14: (dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog) 6 times. (24)

Start stuffing now. Push the filling out towards the sides so the ball keeps a round shape.

Round 15: (dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog) 6 times. (18)

Round 16: (dc in next st, dc2tog) 6 times. (12)

Top up the stuffing until the ball feels firm but not strained.

Round 17: dc2tog 6 times. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a 15cm tail. Thread it through the front loop of each of the last 6 sts, pull tight to close the hole and push the needle through the ball to bury the end.

Hanging cap and loop

A little cap makes a stuffed crochet bauble look like a real tree decoration. Use grey, gold or a metallic DK and the same 3mm hook.

Round 1: 6 dc into a magic ring. (6)

Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)

Round 3: dc in BLO of each st around. (12)

Round 4: dc in each st around, ss in next st. (12)

Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail for sewing.

Loop: cut a 25cm length of yarn. Thread it out through the centre of the cap and back in close by, then knot the ends inside the cap to leave a loop about 5cm long. If you prefer a chain loop, ch 20 and sew both ends inside the cap.

Place the cap over the closed end of the ball and sew all around its edge with the tail. Weave in the end.

Colour ideas

• Classic stripes: Rounds 1 to 7 in red, Rounds 8 and 9 in cream, Rounds 10 and 11 in green, Rounds 12 to 17 in red.
• Two tone: change colour at the start of Round 10 for a half and half ball.
• Hiding the step: a spiral leaves a small jog where colours change. Turn that side to the back when you hang it.

Pattern 3: lacy crochet bauble cover in rounds

This pretty crochet bauble cover starts with a small solid circle at the bottom, opens into a loose net and is drawn closed at the top with a cord. It is sized for a plain 7cm bauble and looks lovely in white or cream cotton over a coloured bauble, because the colour glows through the holes.

Use DK cotton and a 3.5mm hook. In this pattern the ch-3 at the start of a round counts as a treble.

Lacy cover instructions

Round 1: make a magic ring, ch 3 (counts as tr), 11 tr into the ring, ss to top of ch-3. (12 tr)

Round 2: ch 3 (counts as tr), tr in same st, 2 tr in each st around, ss to top of ch-3. (24 tr)

Round 3: ch 4 (counts as tr and ch 1), *tr in next st, ch 1*; repeat from * around, ss to 3rd ch of ch-4. (24 tr, 24 ch-1 sps)

Round 4: ss into first ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in same sp, *ch 3, dc in next ch-1 sp*; repeat from * 22 more times, ch 3, ss to first dc. (24 ch-3 loops)

Round 5: ss into first ch-3 loop, ch 1, dc in same loop, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 loop*; repeat from * 22 more times, ch 3, ss to first dc. (24 ch-3 loops)

Rounds 6 to 8: repeat Round 5. (24 ch-3 loops)

Round 9: ss into first ch-3 loop, ch 1, dc in same loop, *ch 2, dc in next ch-3 loop*; repeat from * 22 more times, ch 2, ss to first dc. (24 ch-2 sps)

Round 10: ss into first ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in same sp, 2 dc in each remaining ch-2 sp around, ss to first dc. (48 dc)

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Fitting the lacy cover

1. Make a cord: ch 60 (about 30cm in DK) and fasten off. A 35cm length of narrow ribbon works too.
2. Slip the bauble into the cover so the solid circle sits underneath.
3. Weave the cord in and out of the 24 ch-2 sps of Round 9. Because there is an even number of spaces, both ends come out side by side.
4. Pull the cord so the net closes around the metal cap, with the Round 10 edge standing up as a little frill. Knot the cord ends together to make a hanging loop and trim.

Other sizes: for a 6cm bauble, work Rounds 6 and 7 only, then continue with Round 9. For an 8cm bauble, work one or two extra repeats of Round 5. The net stretches, so try it on after Round 7 and adjust.

Tips for a neat crochet bauble

• Go down a hook size for stuffed shapes. A tight fabric stops the filling from peeping through.
• Stuff little and often. Small tufts give a smoother shape than one large wad.
• Check every count. The stitch totals in brackets are there to help. One missed increase can make a ball lopsided.
• Keep ribbing relaxed. Working into the back loop only is easier if you do not pull each stitch tight.
• Shape lace while damp. Mist the finished lacy cover with water, ease it onto the bauble and leave it to dry.
• Weave ends in well. Run each tail in at least two directions so nothing works loose on the tree.

Colour schemes for a crochet Christmas bauble set

A crochet bauble collection looks most polished when every piece shares a palette. Try one of these:

• Traditional: berry red, holly green and cream.
• Nordic: bright red and white, with a few all white pieces.
• Woodland: sage, mustard and soft brown.
• Frosty: white, ice blue and silver grey.
• Jewel tones: deep teal, plum and gold.

Mixing all three crochet bauble designs in one colour scheme gives you texture without clutter. A row of ribbed covers, a few stuffed balls and one or two lacy pieces look lovely together.

Common crochet bauble problems and fixes

Problem	Likely cause	Fix
Ribbed cover is baggy	Loose tension or too many rows	Remove 2 to 4 rows, or use a hook 0.5mm smaller
Bottom of the cover will not close	Gathering thread is too far from the edge	Run the thread through the very edge of each row end
Stuffed ball looks lumpy	Uneven stuffing	Roll it between your palms and add small tufts where needed
Stuffing shows through	Hook too large for the yarn	Try a 2.5mm hook with DK
Ball is egg shaped	Extra or missing plain rounds	Check you worked six plain rounds (Rounds 7 to 12)
Lacy net slips about	Too many mesh rounds for the bauble	Work one fewer mesh round or pull the cord tighter

Ways to use your crochet baubles

Once you have a few crochet baubles finished, there are plenty of ways to show them off beyond the tree.

• Gift toppers: tie one to a parcel instead of a bow.
• A bowl display: pile stuffed balls into a glass bowl on the table.
• A garland: thread several onto a long chain with snowflakes in between.
• Window hangings: hang lacy covers in a window so the light shines through.
• Swaps and fairs: they are small, quick and popular at craft stalls.

For garland partners, our crochet snowflake pattern is a perfect match. You will find many more festive projects in our round-up of Christmas crochet ideas.

Storing your decorations

A crochet bauble keeps for years if it is stored well. Wrap each piece loosely in tissue paper and keep them in a box rather than a sealed plastic bag, so the yarn can breathe. Store ribbed and lacy covers on their baubles to hold their shape.

If a stuffed ball gets squashed, roll it gently between your hands to bring it back. A cotton piece that has gone limp can be misted with water and reshaped on its bauble.

Pair your baubles with a tiny crochet Christmas jumper ornament.

Frequently asked questions about crochet baubles

What size bauble does the crochet bauble cover fit?

The ribbed cover has exact counts for 6cm, 7cm and 8cm baubles. The lacy cover is written for a 7cm bauble, with simple changes for 6cm and 8cm.

Is this crochet bauble pattern written in UK or US terms?

All patterns use UK terms. A UK double crochet (dc) is a US single crochet, and a UK treble (tr) is a US double crochet.

How much yarn does a crochet bauble need?

Roughly 6g to 12g of DK yarn, depending on the design and size. A single small ball of yarn makes several crochet baubles.

Can I make a crochet bauble without a plastic bauble inside?

Yes. Pattern 2 is a stuffed ball worked in a dc spiral, so it needs only toy stuffing and a little cap with a hanging loop.

Are crochet baubles safe around children and pets?

Soft designs without beads, bells or buttons are a gentler choice than glass. Weave in all ends securely, keep hanging cords out of reach of babies and toddlers, and supervise young children around the tree.