The Frosted Fern Lace Ornament: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Delicate, Textured Holiday Decoration
Introducing the Frosted Fern Lace Ornament
Elevate your holiday decor with this exquisite crochet ornament, featuring a unique frosted fern lace pattern that mimics the delicate beauty of winter foliage. This pattern creates a stunning, textured sphere that catches the light beautifully, perfect for adding a touch of handmade elegance to your tree. The concentric rings of layered, pointed petals radiate outward from the top center, arranged in a staggered, organic pattern that creates a textured, three-dimensional effect resembling frost-covered fern fronds. The ecru-colored cotton yarn has a slight sheen, giving the ornament an ethereal, wintery glow. This pattern is ideal for intermediate crocheters looking to create a sophisticated, vintage-inspired decoration.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (DK weight, 100% mercerized cotton) in 'Ecru' (approx 25 yards per ornament)
- Hook: US Size C/2 (2.75 mm) crochet hook
- Gauge: First 5 rounds = 1.5 inches in diameter (gauge is not critical, but consistency is important for shape)
- Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- inc: increase (2 sc in same st)
- dec: decrease (sc 2 together)
- fpdc: front post double crochet
- bpdc: back post double crochet
Important: This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. Do not join at the end of rounds unless specified.
Starting the Ornament
Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), work 6 sc into the ring. Pull ring tight. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *Sc in next st, inc* repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, inc* repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, inc* repeat around. (30 sts)
Round 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, inc* repeat around. (36 sts)
Round 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, inc* repeat around. (42 sts)
Round 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, inc* repeat around. (48 sts)
Creating the Ridge
Round 9: Working in back loops only, sc in each st around. (48 sts) This creates a distinct ridge that will separate the top from the lace pattern.
Lace Pattern - First Layer
Round 10: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, *ch 1, skip 1 st, dc in next 2 sts* repeat from * to * around, ending with ch 1, skip last st, sl st to top of beginning ch 3. (24 dc pairs, 24 ch-1 spaces)
Round 11: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, skip (ch-1 space, next dc), sc in next dc* repeat from * to * around, ending with ch 3, sl st to first sc. (24 ch-3 loops)
Round 12: Sl st into ch-3 loop, ch 1, (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-3 loop around. Sl st to first sc. (24 small petals)
Lace Pattern - Second Layer
Round 13: *Ch 4, skip next petal, sc in the sc between petals (the sc from Round 11)* repeat from * to * around. Sl st to first ch. (24 ch-4 loops)
Round 14: Sl st into ch-4 loop, ch 1, (sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-4 loop around. Sl st to first sc. (24 larger petals)
Lace Pattern - Third Layer
Round 15: *Ch 5, skip next petal, sc in the sc between petals (the sc from Round 13)* repeat from * to * around. Sl st to first ch. (24 ch-5 loops)
Round 16: Sl st into ch-5 loop, ch 1, (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-5 loop around. Sl st to first sc. (24 largest petals)
Lace Pattern - Final Layer
Round 17: *Ch 6, skip next petal, sc in the sc between petals (the sc from Round 15)* repeat from * to * around. Sl st to first ch. (24 ch-6 loops)
Round 18: Sl st into ch-6 loop, ch 1, (sc, hdc, 4 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch-6 loop around. Sl st to first sc. (24 final petals)
Shaping the Bottom
Round 19: Ch 1, sc in each st around, working 1 sc in the sc between petals as well. (120 sts)
Round 20: *Sc in next 8 sts, dec* repeat around. (108 sts)
Round 21: *Sc in next 7 sts, dec* repeat around. (96 sts)
Round 22: *Sc in next 6 sts, dec* repeat around. (84 sts)
Round 23: *Sc in next 5 sts, dec* repeat around. (72 sts)
Round 24: *Sc in next 4 sts, dec* repeat around. (60 sts)
Round 25: *Sc in next 3 sts, dec* repeat around. (48 sts)
Round 26: *Sc in next 2 sts, dec* repeat around. (36 sts)
Round 27: *Sc in next st, dec* repeat around. (24 sts)
Round 28: Dec around. (12 sts)
Finishing
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 12 stitches and pull tight to close the bottom. Weave in ends securely.
Hanging Loop
With a new length of yarn, ch 15, sl st to the top of the ornament (the center of the magic ring). Weave in ends securely.
Your Frosted Fern Lace Ornament is complete! This delicate, textured sphere will add a touch of handmade elegance to your holiday tree or make a thoughtful, handmade gift. Enjoy the process and the beautiful result!
