Bring a little handmade character to your holiday decorating with this pocket-sized crochet snowman, shaped with two rounded sections, a tiny carrot nose, a cheerful face, and a simple scarf that finishes the ornament beautifully.
A small snowman can make a surprisingly personal holiday decoration, especially when its details are crocheted rather than simply added as an afterthought. This design is worked as one continuous white piece, with increases creating the lower section and a second set of increases forming the snowman’s upper body. The result is a compact crochet ornament that can hang from a Christmas tree, brighten a seasonal display, or become a thoughtful handmade gift.
The most important part of this crochet pattern is recognizing the transition between the head and body. After the first section narrows to 12 stitches, the next rounds increase again to form the second rounded section, so the stitch count intentionally goes down and then back up. The hanging loop and facial details are also added before the opening becomes difficult to reach, making that point worth planning for rather than leaving everything until the very end.
Credit Xuxu Crochet
Finished Size
- Approximately 3.5–4 inches (8–10 cm) tall
- Designed as a lightweight hanging ornament
Materials & Tools
- Medium-weight / worsted-weight yarn in:
- White: snowman
- Red or Green: scarf and optional hat
- Orange: carrot nose
- Black: smile and facial details
- 2.5–3.0 mm crochet hook, depending on yarn
- 6 mm safety eyes
- Fiberfill stuffing
- Hanging cord, silver thread, or decorative string
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
Pattern Abbreviations
- MR: Magic Ring
- ch: Chain
- st / sts: Stitch / Stitches
- sc: Single Crochet
- inc: Single Crochet Increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: Single Crochet Decrease
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- BLO: Back Loop Only
- FLO: Front Loop Only
- [ ] × N: Repeat the instructions inside the brackets N times
- ( ): Stitch count at the end of the round
How to Crochet the Snowman
Crochet the Main Snowman Shape
Work the main piece continuously in White yarn.
Because the piece is worked in continuous rounds, place a stitch marker in the first stitch and move it up as you complete each round. This makes the two shaping sections much easier to follow.
Round 1: Make a MR and work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work 1 inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Repeat [1 sc, 1 inc] around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Repeat [2 sc, 1 inc] around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Repeat [3 sc, 1 inc] around. (30 sts)
Rounds 6–10: Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 5 rounds. (30 sts each round)
These straight rounds give the first section enough height before it begins narrowing.
Round 11: Repeat [3 sc, 1 dec] around. (24 sts)
Round 12: Repeat [2 sc, 1 dec] around. (18 sts)
Round 13: Repeat [1 sc, 1 dec] around. (12 sts)
Shape Check
At the end of Round 13, the stitch count has dropped from 30 stitches to 12 stitches. Do not close the opening here. This narrow section is the transition between the two rounded parts of the snowman.
This is also the best time to add the hanging cord and facial details because the opening is still accessible.
Add the Hanging Loop and Face Details
Before continuing with the body expansion, prepare the details that need to be positioned on the upper section.
Hanging Loop
Thread your silver thread, yarn, or decorative cord through the center of the top of the snowman, around the area of Round 1.
Tie it securely on the inside so the loop can support the finished ornament.
Safety Eyes
Insert the 6 mm safety eyes between Rounds 7 and 8, leaving approximately 4–5 stitches between them.
Secure the backs firmly on the inside.
Face Placement Tip
The face should be positioned on the rounded upper section rather than too close to the narrow transition. Before permanently securing the eyes, check that they sit evenly on either side of where the carrot nose will be placed.
Shape the Second Rounded Section
Now the pattern changes direction: instead of continuing to decrease, you will begin increasing again.
This is intentional and creates the snowman’s lower body.
Round 14: Repeat [1 sc, 1 inc] around. (18 sts)
Round 15: Repeat [2 sc, 1 inc] around. (24 sts)
Round 16: Repeat [3 sc, 1 inc] around. (30 sts)
Rounds 17–21: Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 5 rounds. (30 sts each round)
Round 22: Repeat [3 sc, 1 dec] around. (24 sts)
Round 23: Repeat [2 sc, 1 dec] around. (18 sts)
At this stage, begin adding fiberfill stuffing.
Stuffing Tip
Add the stuffing gradually and shape the snowman with your fingers as you work. The filling should make both rounded sections firm enough to hold their shape without stretching the crochet stitches.
Pay particular attention to the narrow section between the two parts. You want it to remain visibly indented rather than filling it so firmly that the transition disappears.
Round 24: Repeat [1 sc, 1 dec] around. (12 sts)
Round 25: Repeat 1 dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches, pull the opening closed, and secure the yarn.
Crochet the Carrot Nose
Work the nose in Orange yarn.
Round 1: Make a MR and work 4 sc into the ring. (4 sts)
Round 2: Repeat [1 sc, 1 inc] around. (6 sts)
Round 3: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Sew the carrot nose onto the face between and slightly below the eyes.
Nose Placement Tip
Use the eyes as your reference points. Centering the nose between them will keep the face balanced; placing it too low can make the upper section appear unusually long.
Add the Snowman’s Smile
Using Black yarn or embroidery thread, stitch a small curved smile below the carrot nose.
Work over the same small area more than once if you want a slightly stronger line.
Keep the smile compact so it complements the small size of the ornament rather than overpowering the face.
Crochet the Scarf
Work the scarf in Red, Green, or your chosen accent color.
Row 1: Ch 51.
Row 2: Starting in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sc in each chain across. (50 sts)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
For extra detail, add short yarn strands to both ends to create fringe.
Attach the Scarf
Place the scarf around the narrow section between Rounds 13 and 14.
- Wrap it around the snowman’s neck.
- Cross one end over the other.
- Adjust the scarf so both ends hang naturally.
- Secure the crossing point with a small stitch or a tiny amount of craft glue.
Scarf Placement Tip
The scarf is not meant to sit around the widest part of the body. The indentation created between the two sections gives it a natural neck position and helps emphasize the snowman’s shape.
Finishing Details
Before hanging the ornament, check each detail from the front:
- Both eyes should be at a similar height.
- The carrot nose should sit between them.
- The smile should be centered beneath the nose.
- The scarf should rest in the narrow neck area.
- The hanging loop should be securely attached at the top.
- The stuffing should fill the body without making the stitches look stretched.
If desired, add a small amount of pink blush to the cheeks using blush powder or tiny pink yarn stitches.
A Few Helpful Tips
Keep the Stitch Count Visible
The main shape follows a very deliberate progression:
6 → 12 → 18 → 24 → 30 → 30 → decrease → 12 → increase → 30 → decrease → 6
If your count does not match the stated number at the end of a shaping round, correct it before continuing.
Remember the Second Increase Section
The most unusual part of the pattern is the transition after Round 13. The snowman does not continue closing. Rounds 14–16 increase again to form the second rounded section.
Add Details Before the Opening Gets Too Small
The eyes, hanging cord, and face work are much easier to position while the upper opening is accessible. Waiting until the ornament is completely closed can make these steps unnecessarily awkward.
Stuff Before the Final Closure
Round 23 is the point where stuffing is introduced, but continue checking the shape through Rounds 24–25. This gives you a final opportunity to adjust the firmness before the opening is closed.
