This crochet angel is a little Christmas ornament with a cone-shaped skirt, a round head, shell-stitch wings and a simple chain halo. It is written in UK crochet terms, with the US names given in the abbreviations table, and every round has its stitch count in brackets so you can check your work as you go.
Quick answer: This crochet angel is a small Christmas ornament made from a cone-shaped skirt, a round head, shell-stitch wings and a chain halo, worked in UK terms. Use DK yarn and a 3.5mm hook for a 10 to 11cm angel, or 4ply cotton and a 2.25mm hook for a 7cm mini. Each angel takes 1 to 2 hours.
The same crochet angel pattern makes two sizes: a mini angel in 4ply cotton or fine crochet thread, and a slightly larger angel in DK yarn. Both hang neatly on the tree, and the DK version can be given a flat base so it stands on a shelf or mantelpiece.
What makes a good crochet angel ornament?
A tree decoration needs to read clearly from across the room. That means a simple outline: a cone for the robe, a ball for the head, wings that stand out at the back and a halo on top. Fussy detail tends to disappear once it is hanging among the branches and lights.
Our crochet angel ornament sticks to those four shapes. The robe is worked in the round from the neck down, increasing gently so it flares into a cone. The wings are two small fans worked flat in rows. The halo is a ring of chains. Only the head of the crochet angel needs stuffing.
Because every part is small, this is a lovely way to use up oddments of white, cream, silver or gold yarn. It is also quick, so you can make several for gifts, gift toppers or a hanging garland without spending your whole December on them.
Crochet angel pattern at a glance
| Detail | Mini angel | DK angel |
|---|---|---|
| Skill level | Easy | Easy |
| Yarn | 4ply cotton or fine crochet thread | DK (cotton or acrylic) |
| Hook | 2.25mm (UK 13, US B-1), or the size on your thread label | 3.5mm (UK 9, US E-4) |
| Approximate height | About 7cm in 4ply, smaller in thread | About 10 to 11cm |
| Halo chain | 12 chains | 14 chains |
| Time | 1 to 2 hours | 1 to 2 hours |
The stitch counts are exactly the same for both sizes. Only the yarn and hook change, which is what makes the finished crochet angel bigger or smaller. Heights are approximate, as everyone’s tension is slightly different.
Materials for your crochet angel
- Main colour: white, cream or a pale pastel. Use 4ply cotton or fine crochet cotton thread for the mini, or DK for the larger angel. Either size uses well under 20g.
- Halo colour: a scrap of gold, silver or yellow. Metallic thread or yarn looks especially festive.
- Hook: 2.25mm for the mini, 3.5mm for the DK angel. Go down half a size if your stitches look loose or gappy.
- Toy stuffing: a small pinch for the head.
- Optional wooden bead: a round bead of about 12mm for the mini or 18 to 20mm for the DK angel, used instead of a crocheted head.
- Tools: a stitch marker, tapestry needle and scissors.
- Optional extras: fabric stiffener or spray starch, and thin card if you want the DK angel to stand up.
If you are not sure how 4ply and DK compare, the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight chart lays out the standard weights side by side. Cotton gives the crispest stitch definition, while acrylic is softer and a little more forgiving.
Abbreviations (UK terms with US equivalents)
| UK abbreviation | Meaning | US equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ch | chain | ch (chain) |
| ss | slip stitch | sl st (slip stitch) |
| dc | double crochet | sc (single crochet) |
| tr | treble crochet | dc (double crochet) |
| inc | 2 dc in the same stitch | 2 sc in the same stitch |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 stitches together | sc2tog |
| FLO | front loop only | FLO |
| st(s) | stitch(es) | st(s) |
| MR | magic ring | magic ring |
“dc 3” means work 1 dc into each of the next 3 stitches. Instructions in brackets are repeated the number of times stated, and the number at the end of each round is your stitch count. If you usually follow American patterns, our guide to UK vs US crochet terms explains the difference, and the wings use the stitch covered in our treble crochet guide.
Before you start: tips for a neat crochet angel
- Start with a magic ring. The body and head both begin this way, so the centre closes up with no hole. Our magic ring tutorial walks you through it step by step.
- Work in a spiral. Do not join the rounds of the body or head. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.
- Keep your tension firm. Tight double crochet helps the cone hold its shape and stops stuffing showing through the head.
- Count at the end of every round. The robe only increases on alternate rounds, so it is easy to lose your place. A quick count saves a lot of unravelling.
- Leave long tails on the head, wings and halo. You will use them for sewing up.
Crochet angel body: the cone-shaped skirt
The body is worked from the neck down in a continuous spiral using the main colour. Increasing by 3 stitches on every other round makes a gently flaring cone. A flat circle in double crochet would need 6 increases on every round, so this slower rate is what gives the crochet angel its robe shape.
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 dc into the ring and pull it closed (6).
Rnd 2: (dc 1, inc) 3 times (9).
Rnd 3: dc in each st around (9).
Rnd 4: (dc 2, inc) 3 times (12).
Rnd 5: dc in each st around (12).
Rnd 6: (dc 3, inc) 3 times (15).
Rnd 7: dc in each st around (15).
Rnd 8: (dc 4, inc) 3 times (18).
Rnd 9: dc in each st around (18).
Rnd 10: (dc 5, inc) 3 times (21).
Rnd 11: dc in each st around (21).
Rnd 12: (dc 6, inc) 3 times (24).
Rnd 13: dc in each st around (24).
Rnd 14: (dc 7, inc) 3 times (27).
Rnd 15: dc in each st around (27).
Rnd 16: (dc 8, inc) 3 times (30).
Rnds 17 and 18: dc in each st around (30).
Rnd 19 (scalloped hem): Working in front loops only, (ss in next st, skip 2 sts, 5 tr in next st, skip 2 sts) 5 times, then ss into the first ss to join (5 shells). Fasten off and weave in the end.
Each repeat of the hem uses 6 stitches, so the 30 stitches of Rnd 18 give exactly 5 shells. Working into the front loops leaves the back loops of Rnd 18 free inside the hem, ready for the optional standing base later on.
Prefer a plain hem? Skip Rnd 19, work 1 ss into the next stitch and fasten off. The robe will be slightly shorter and very simple, which suits a minimalist tree.
Crochet angel head: a small ball (or a wooden bead)
The head of your crochet angel is a small stuffed ball, worked in the main colour or a skin tone of your choice.
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 dc into the ring and pull it closed (6).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12).
Rnd 3: (dc 1, inc) 6 times (18).
Rnds 4 to 6: dc in each st around (18).
Rnd 7: (dc 1, dc2tog) 6 times (12).
Stuff the head firmly, pushing the stuffing well into the shape with the end of your hook.
Rnd 8: dc2tog 6 times (6).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches and pull gently to close the hole. Keep the tail for sewing the head to the body.
Wooden bead option
A round wooden bead makes a smooth, doll-like head and saves a little time. Thread a doubled length of yarn up through the magic ring at the top of the body, through the bead, and leave the loop sticking out at the top. That loop becomes your hanging loop, and the bead sits snugly on the neck.
Beads are small parts, so only use this option for decorations that will be hung out of reach of babies and young children.
Faces and hair
Many tree angels have no face at all, and that looks charming. If you would like a little more detail, embroider two tiny curved stitches for closed eyes using a dark thread. For hair, sew a few small loops of yellow, brown or grey yarn around the top and sides of the head before you add the halo.
Crochet angel wings in simple shell stitch
Each crochet angel wing is a small half-circle fan, worked flat in rows into a chain ring. Make them in the main colour, or in metallic thread for extra sparkle.
Wing (make 2)
Foundation: ch 4, ss into the first ch to form a ring.
Row 1: ch 3 (counts as the first tr), 6 tr into the ring, turn (7 sts).
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as the first tr, worked over the first st), 2 tr in each of the remaining 6 sts, working the last pair into the top of the turning chain, turn (13 sts).
Row 3: ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), 1 dc in the first st, (skip 1 st, 5 tr in the next st, skip 1 st, 1 dc in the next st) 3 times, working the final dc into the top of the turning chain (3 shells).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Each shell repeat uses 4 stitches, so 1 dc plus 3 repeats takes you across all 13 stitches of Row 2.
The straight edge of each fan, where the ring sits, is the edge you sew to the body. The scalloped curved edge points outwards.
Chain halo and hanging loop
Halo: With gold, silver or yellow yarn, ch 14 for the DK angel or ch 12 for the mini, then ss into the first ch to form a ring. For a thicker halo, work 1 more round: ch 1, 1 dc in each ch around, ss into the first dc to join (14 for DK, 12 for the mini). Fasten off, leaving a tail.
Hanging loop: Cut about 20cm of thread or metallic yarn. Using a tapestry needle, pass it through the top of the head, just in front of where the halo will sit, and knot the two ends together. You can also ch 20, then sew both ends of the chain to the top of the head.
Putting your crochet angel together
- Attach the head. Place the closed end of the head over the magic ring at the top of the body and sew all the way round with the head tail. Make a few extra stitches so the head does not wobble.
- Add the wings. Lay the two wings on the back of the robe with their straight edges meeting in the centre, roughly between Rnds 3 and 7 of the body. Sew along the straight edges and tack the inner corners so the wings stand out.
- Fix the halo. Sew the halo to the back of the head so it stands up at a slight angle, like a ring hovering behind the head.
- Add the hanging loop through the top of the head, in front of the halo.
- Weave in all ends by running them through the inside of the body or head and snipping them close.
- Shape the robe. Pull the hem of your crochet angel gently into an even cone. For a thread angel, a light spray of starch or fabric stiffener keeps the shape crisp. Let it dry standing over a small paper cone.
Optional standing base for the DK angel
If you want the crochet angel to stand on a shelf, make a flat circle in the main colour.
Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, 6 dc into the ring (6).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12).
Rnd 3: (dc 1, inc) 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: (dc 2, inc) 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: (dc 3, inc) 6 times (30).
Fasten off with a long tail. Cut a circle of thin card slightly smaller than the base. Stuff the robe lightly, rest the card on top of the base, then whip stitch the base to the free back loops of Rnd 18, one stitch to one stitch. The scalloped hem will frill out just below it.
Mini and DK sizes compared
Both sizes follow the crochet angel pattern above with no changes to the stitch counts. Here is how they differ in practice.
| Mini (4ply or thread) | DK | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Delicate, lacy and light | Soft, chunky and cosy |
| Hook | 2.25mm, or as your thread label suggests | 3.5mm |
| Halo | ch 12 | ch 14 |
| Bead head option | About 12mm | About 18 to 20mm |
| Best for | Small trees, gift toppers, wreaths | Larger trees, shelves, standing displays |
Fine thread is more fiddly to work, so if this is your first crochet angel we suggest starting with the DK size. Once you know the shape, the mini comes together quickly. You can check the standard hook sizes on the Craft Yarn Council hook chart.
Ways to customise your crochet angel ornament
- Change the colours. Ivory with a gold halo is classic. All silver looks frosty and modern, and soft pink or pale blue robes look sweet on a pastel tree.
- Two-tone robe. Work Rnds 1 to 16 in white, then switch to gold for Rnds 17 to 19 so the scalloped hem stands out.
- Make a garland. Leave off the hanging loops and thread several angels onto a long chain of gold yarn, spacing them evenly.
- Bigger angel. Work the same pattern in chunky yarn with a 5mm hook. The stitch counts stay the same and the angel simply comes out larger, which makes a sweet tree topper for a small tree.
- Gift topper. Tie a mini crochet angel onto a parcel with ribbon in place of a bow.
Common problems and how to fix them
The robe is curling or looks flat. Check your counts. If you have accidentally increased on every round, the cone will flatten out into a disc. Each increase round should add exactly 3 stitches.
The robe twists to one side. This is normal in spiral double crochet and happens on almost every crochet angel. Blocking or starching the finished robe will straighten it, and the twist barely shows once the wings are on.
The head looks lumpy. Use small pieces of stuffing and add them a little at a time. Roll the head between your palms before closing it.
The shells on the hem look squashed. Make sure you are skipping 2 stitches on each side of every shell. If they still feel crowded, use a hook half a size larger for Rnd 19 only.
More Christmas crochet to make
If you enjoy this crochet angel, our round-up of Christmas crochet ideas has plenty more to fill your tree. Our crochet snowflake pattern uses the same white and metallic yarns and looks lovely hung beside your angels.
For another round, cheerful character, try our crochet snowman, which uses the same spiral double crochet as the angel’s head.
Frequently asked questions about crochet angel
Is this crochet angel pattern suitable for beginners?
Yes. If you can make a magic ring, double crochet in a spiral and work a treble crochet, you can make it. The increases and decreases are explained in the abbreviations table, and every round has a stitch count to check against.
What yarn is best for a crochet angel ornament?
Cotton gives the neatest stitches and holds its shape well, especially with starch. Acrylic DK is softer and cheaper to experiment with. White, cream and metallic shades look the most traditional.
How do I make the skirt hold its cone shape?
Keep your double crochet tight, and finish with a light spray of starch or fabric stiffener. Let the robe dry over a small paper cone. For a standing DK angel, add the base with a card circle inside.
Can I use a wooden bead instead of a crocheted head?
Yes. Use a round bead of about 12mm for the mini or 18 to 20mm for the DK size, and thread the hanging loop through it. Beads are small parts, so keep these angels out of reach of babies and young children.
How long does it take to make one angel?
Most people finish one in an hour or two once they are used to the pattern. The body takes the longest, while the wings, halo and loop only take a few minutes each.
