Crochet Santa Face: Spiral Ornament Pattern

A Crochet Santa Face with One Continuous Beard

Three double crochets in every chain force the beard strip to curl into a spring. The first turn sits under the moustache and the remaining turns hang freely, giving the ornament movement while keeping the face flat.

Materials You'll Need

• About 30 yd (27 m) DK cotton (face and nose), 100% cotton, in Peach.
• About 30 yd (27 m) DK cotton (hat), 100% cotton, in Deep cranberry.
• About 60 yd (55 m) DK cotton (brim, moustache, beard and pompom), 100% cotton, in Warm ivory.
• About 3 yd (3 m) DK cotton (eyes and loop), 100% cotton, in Black and Cocoa.
• 3.5 mm (US E-4) crochet hook.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch marker.
• Scissors.

A smooth DK cotton produces a defined spiral edge. Wool can relax after hanging and acrylic may need light steam to hold the curl.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

• Skill level: Intermediate.
• Gauge: 22 sc and 24 rnds = 4 in (10 cm); face measures about 4 in (10 cm).
• Finished size: About 11 in (28 cm) long and 4 in (10 cm) wide.
• Working time: About 2 hours 30 minutes.

Face diameter is the useful gauge check. If six rounds are wider than stated, the beard will look too narrow against the head.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

Instructions use US crochet terms. Count at the end of every numbered row or round before moving on.

• mr: magic ring.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sc: single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• inc: 2 stitches in the same stitch.
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease.
• BLO: back loop only.
• FLO: front loop only.
• sk: skip.
• sp: space.
• st(s): stitch(es).
• rnd(s): round(s).

Corkscrew strip: Work 3 dc in every chain; the increase rate makes the strip curl on its own.

Pattern Notes

• Work the face, nose and pompom in joined rounds.
• Make 2 matching moustache pieces.
• Do not flatten or wet block the corkscrew beard.

Work the two moustache pieces from identical chains and turn one over before sewing. This mirrors the curves without rewriting the row.

How to Crochet a Santa Face with a Spiral Beard

The face is a 36-stitch circle. The triangular hat is worked in turned rows and covered at the lower edge by a ribbed strip. Moustache leaves meet under the nose; only their inner ends are sewn tightly, leaving the outer tips slightly raised.

Layering the Face and Beard

1. Sew the hat triangle behind the upper third of the face circle.
2. Place the ribbed brim across the hat-face seam and sew both long edges.
3. Attach the nose at the face center and embroider two short eyes.
4. Sew the mirrored moustache pieces below the nose.
5. Anchor the top of the corkscrew beard under the moustache and secure the hanging loop at the hat tip.

Let the beard hang before trimming any yarn tail. A tail cut too close can relax the first spiral turn.

Keeping the Corkscrew Even

• Work all 150 double crochets at the same tension.
• Untwist the foundation chain every ten stitches.
• Do not block the beard flat.
• Steam from a distance and let the spiral cool while hanging.

Crochet Santa Claus Face Color Options

Deep cranberry and warm ivory give a traditional finish. For a softer ornament, use muted brick and oatmeal. Keep the face color distinct from the beard so the moustache edge remains easy to read.

Care and Storage

Store the ornament hanging or in a tall box. If the beard is compressed, mist it lightly, separate the turns with your fingers and let it dry vertically.