The spiral is made from two crochet strips that naturally curl because two single crochet stitches are worked into every foundation chain. Twist the finished strips together to create the chocolate-and-cream effect.
Skill level: Confident beginner
Crochet terms: US terminology
Finished height: Approximately 10 to 11 inches or 25 to 28 cm
Finished width: Approximately 2½ to 3 inches or 6 to 7.5 cm
Hook size: 3 mm
The crochet mug, cocoa, whipped cream, candy cane, spiral and marshmallow instructions are based on page 9 of the supplied Spiral Ornaments pattern.
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What you need
You will need DK or light worsted weight yarn in:
Red for the mug and handle
White for the mug rim, whipped cream, spiral and marshmallow
Dark brown for the chocolate spiral
Light brown for the cocoa
Black for facial details
Pink for the marshmallow cheeks
Small amount of red and white for the optional candy cane
You will also need:
3 mm crochet hook
Polyester stuffing
Yarn needle
Embroidery needle
Scissors
Stitch marker
Gold or coordinating yarn for the hanging loop
Optional small candy cane charm or pipe cleaner for the crocheted candy cane
Instructions
Crochet Abbreviations
MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
inc = work 2 sc into the same stitch
dec = single crochet decrease
st = stitch
sts = stitches
FO = fasten off
Introduction
There are Christmas ornaments for people who love snowmen, Christmas trees and reindeer, and then there are Christmas ornaments for those of us who consider a mug of hot chocolate part of the official festive season.
This crochet hot cocoa mug spiral ornament might be one of the cosiest Christmas crochet patterns in this whole collection.
At the top is a little red crochet mug filled with brown cocoa and a generous swirl of white whipped cream. A tiny candy cane can be tucked into the top, and a simple embroidered snowflake decorates the front of the mug.
Underneath hangs a long spiral in dark chocolate brown and cream, which immediately makes me think of chocolate and marshmallow swirls. At the very bottom is a tiny smiling crochet marshmallow complete with pink cheeks.
It is cute, slightly ridiculous and exactly the sort of handmade Christmas decoration I enjoy.
The clever bit is the spiral. You crochet one dark brown strip and one white strip, working two single crochets into every foundation chain. That creates far more stitches than the starting chain can comfortably hold, so the strips curl naturally. Twist the two colours together and you have a lovely chocolate-and-cream spiral without complicated shaping.
This is also a very good leftover-yarn project. You need only small amounts of brown, white, red and pink, so it is worth checking the yarn basket before buying anything new.
CraftBits already has a Hot Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornaments tutorial made with miniature cups, spackle and peppermint embellishments. It is a completely different non-crochet project, but it would be lovely alongside this yarn version if you are planning a whole hot cocoa-themed tree. Hot Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornaments
Instructions
Crochet the Hot Cocoa Mug
Use red yarn.
Work in continuous rounds.
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.
Round 1: Make a magic ring and work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in every stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Sc 1, inc. Repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Sc 2, inc. Repeat around. (24 sts)
Rounds 5 to 11: Sc in every stitch around. (24 sts)
Begin shaping the bottom.
Round 12: Sc 2, dec. Repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 13: Sc 1, dec. Repeat around. (12 sts)
Stuff the mug lightly.
You want it to hold its shape without becoming so firmly stuffed that it looks more like a red Christmas bauble than a mug.
Round 14: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off.
Thread the yarn tail through the remaining stitches and pull closed.
Crochet the White Mug Rim
Turn the mug so the open top edge is facing you.
Join white yarn around the upper edge.
Round 1: Sc evenly around the top edge. (24 sts)
Fasten off.
The white edging creates the little rim visible around the top of the finished cocoa mug.
Crochet the Mug Handle
Use red yarn.
Ch 12.
Join with a sl st to the first chain to form a loop.
Round 1
Sc in each chain around. (12 sts)
Round 2
Sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail.
Flatten the loop slightly.
Position one side of the handle against the upper side of the mug and the other end slightly lower down.
Sew both ends securely to the mug.
Shape the handle gently with your fingers.
Embroider the White Snowflake
Use white yarn.
The source shows a simple embroidered snowflake on the front of the red mug.
Make six straight stitches radiating from one centre point.
Think of it as making a large plus sign and an X over the top.
Then add one or two small branch stitches to the ends of each snowflake arm.
Secure the yarn inside the mug.
You can keep the snowflake simple or add a tiny French knot in the centre.
Crochet the Cocoa Insert
Use light brown yarn.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in every stitch. (12 sts)
Round 3: Sc 1, inc. Repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Sc around. (18 sts)
Fasten off.
Position the brown cocoa section inside the upper opening of the mug.
Sew it into place around the edge.
Leave enough room in the centre for the whipped cream.
Crochet the Whipped Cream
Use white yarn.
The supplied pattern works the whipped cream as an expanding spiral and the photograph shows the finished piece shaped upward into a mound. The source does not give a separate stuffing or folding instruction, so work the rounds as supplied and shape the piece gently during assembly.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Round 2: Sc 1, inc. Repeat 3 times. (9 sts)
Round 3: Sc 2, inc. Repeat 3 times. (12 sts)
Round 4: Sc 3, inc. Repeat 3 times. (15 sts)
Round 5: Sc 4, inc. Repeat 3 times. (18 sts)
Round 6: Sc 5, inc. Repeat 3 times. (21 sts)
Round 7: Sc 6, inc. Repeat 3 times. (24 sts)
To make the top peak:
Sl st into the next stitch.
Ch 2.
Sl st back into the same stitch.
Fasten off.
Shape the crochet into a soft mound and sew it securely on top of the cocoa.
If your piece wants to lie flatter than the photographed version, gently gather or tack the lower sections together while sewing it to the cocoa so the centre rises into a swirl.
Crochet the Optional Candy Cane
The source uses two simple crochet strips wrapped around a small piece of wire or pipe cleaner.
Red Strip
Using red yarn:
Ch 10.
Work 1 sc in each chain across.
Fasten off.
White Strip
Using white yarn:
Ch 10.
Work 1 sc in each chain across.
Fasten off.
Place the red and white strips together.
Wrap them around a short piece of thin pipe cleaner or craft wire.
Twist the top into the traditional candy cane hook shape.
Secure the crochet strips with a few small stitches.
Insert the lower end beside the whipped cream and sew securely in place.
If you prefer not to use wire, leave the candy cane off or use a lightweight ready-made embellishment.
Crochet the Dark Brown Spiral
Use dark brown yarn.
Foundation
Ch 55.
This gives you 54 working chains.
Row 1
Beginning in the second chain from the hook, work 2 sc into every chain across. (108 sts)
The strip should begin curling naturally.
Row 2
Ch 1, turn.
Sc in every stitch across. (108 sts)
Fasten off.
Crochet the White Spiral
Use white yarn.
Repeat exactly as for the dark brown strip.
Ch 55.
Row 1
Beginning in the second chain from the hook, work 2 sc into every chain. (108 sts)
Row 2
Ch 1, turn.
Sc across. (108 sts)
Fasten off.
Join the Chocolate and Cream Spirals
Place the dark brown and white strips together at the top.
Sew the upper ends securely together.
Allow the strips to hang.
Gently twist the two curls around one another.
Do not twist too tightly.
You want the dark brown and white sections to remain clearly visible.
Secure the lower ends together.
The large number of stitches worked into the original foundation chains is what creates the natural corkscrew shape.
Adjusting the Spiral Length
The source includes an approximate length guide:
- 45-chain foundation: approximately 5 to 6 inches or 13 to 15 cm
- 55-chain foundation: approximately 7 to 8 inches or 18 to 20 cm
- 65-chain foundation: approximately 9 to 10 inches or 23 to 25 cm
- 75-chain foundation: approximately 11 to 12 inches or 28 to 30 cm
This pattern uses 55 chains for each strip.
If you want a longer ornament, simply make both foundation chains longer.
Make sure the brown and white strips use exactly the same number of chains.
Attach the Spiral to the Mug
Position the joined top of the spiral directly underneath the centre of the mug.
Using red, brown or matching yarn, sew the spiral firmly to the bottom of the mug.
Make several stitches.
Hold the ornament upright while checking the alignment.
The mug should sit straight above the spiral.
Crochet the Marshmallow
Use white yarn.
Round 1
MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Round 2
Inc in every stitch around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3 and 4
Sc around. (12 sts)
Stuff very lightly.
Fasten off and close the lower edge.
You want the marshmallow to look softly rounded rather than completely spherical.
Add the Marshmallow Face
Using black yarn, embroider two small eyes.
Add a small smiling mouth.
Using pink yarn, embroider two tiny cheeks.
This is a very small piece, so a couple of stitches are all you need.
There is no need to give the marshmallow a full theatrical expression. He is already dangling underneath a mug of cocoa. His day is interesting enough.
Attach the Marshmallow
Position the marshmallow at the lower end of the spiral.
Sew it securely to the bottom centre.
You can attach it directly or leave a tiny yarn loop between the marshmallow and spiral if you want a little extra movement.
Hold the ornament up to check that the marshmallow hangs straight.
Make the Hanging Loop
Use gold or coordinating yarn.
Ch 15.
Join with a sl st into the first chain to create a loop.
Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
Position the loop at the top centre of the mug.
Sew securely into place.
Give the loop a proper tug before hanging the ornament.
Shape and Finish the Ornament
Hang the finished hot cocoa ornament from a hook.
Gently arrange the chocolate and white spiral so the two colours alternate evenly.
If necessary, lightly dampen the spiral and reshape it with your fingers.
Allow it to dry completely.
The spiral should remain loose rather than being twisted into a tight rope.
Check that:
- The mug hangs straight
- The handle is firmly attached
- The whipped cream is secure
- The candy cane is secure if used
- Both spiral strips are joined firmly
- The marshmallow hangs in the centre
- The hanging loop is strong
Hot Cocoa Colour Ideas
You do not have to make the mug red.
A cream mug with a red snowflake would have a lovely Scandinavian Christmas feel.
Try a sage green mug with cream trim for a softer woodland Christmas palette.
A pink mug with white whipped cream and peppermint details would be adorable for a pastel Christmas tree.
You could even crochet the spiral entirely in shades of brown for a very chocolate-heavy version, which sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
Can I Leave Off the Candy Cane?
Absolutely.
The candy cane is optional.
You could replace it with:
- A tiny cinnamon stick embellishment
- Mini crochet peppermint
- Small red pom-pom
- Tiny gingerbread charm
- Another swirl of whipped cream
Or simply leave the top plain.
Can I Leave Off the Marshmallow?
Yes.
Try replacing it with:
- A tassel
- Small jingle bell
- Crochet snowflake
- Pom-pom
- Candy cane charm
- Tiny gingerbread man
The marshmallow is one of the cutest parts of the original design, though, so personally I would be rather reluctant to evict him.
Can I Use Worsted Weight Yarn?
Yes.
Your finished ornament will be larger.
Choose a hook that creates fairly firm stitches, especially for the stuffed mug and marshmallow.
For a finished size close to the original 10 to 11 inches, DK or light worsted yarn with a 3 mm hook is the best choice.
More Hot Chocolate Christmas Crafts
CraftBits already has a fun Hot Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornament tutorial using miniature cups, faux whipped cream and peppermint decorations. It would make a great companion project if you are putting together a hot cocoa-themed tree. Make the Hot Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornaments
And if you like the naturally curling construction used in this ornament, the Free Icicle Angel Crochet Pattern uses another lovely spiral effect for a much more delicate Christmas decoration. Crochet the Icicle Angel Ornament
You can also browse the wider CraftBits collection of handmade Christmas decorations if you are planning a tree filled with projects rather than shop-bought baubles. Browse CraftBits Christmas Tree Ornaments
I have always liked Christmas decorations with a bit of personality.
A perfectly coordinated tree is lovely, but twenty years later it is usually the slightly ridiculous handmade ornament that everyone remembers.
And I suspect a smiling marshmallow dangling from a mug of crochet hot chocolate has a fairly good chance of making that list.
What do you think of this project? Let us know!