Bring an interactive, jingle-filled sparkle to your holiday collection with this cute crochet Christmas shaker ornaments pattern! Designed with clear visual windows filled with swirling miniature sequins and holiday glitter, this free pattern crafts three festive shaker designs—a sweet peace apple, a charming Rudolph reindeer, and a twinkling holiday star. For sweet handmade gifts, attach a satin ribbon, metallic cord, or lobster clasp to turn these shakers into aesthetic tree ornaments, festive bag charms, or magical gift toppers!
This beginner-to-intermediate-friendly tutorial guides you step-by-step through crocheting open-window frames for all three festive motifs. By sandwiching clear PVC plastic sheets inside the crocheted borders and sealing tiny beads, sequins, or faux snow inside, you create a mesmerizing 3D shaker effect that rattles delightfully when handled. Inside this post, you will find step-by-step instructions and practical tips for cutting precise plastic inserts, securing leak-proof edges with craft glue or neat slip-stitch joins, embroidering delicate facial and leaf details, and attaching sturdy hanging loops for a polished, market-ready presentation.
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Design 1: The Christmas Apple
Materials & Colors:
Red (#32): Apple Body
Brown (#66): Stem
Green (#36): Leaf
Yellow (#18): Star / Details
Hook: 2.0 mm
1. Apple Body Panels (Make 4 pieces using Red #32):
Chain 36, slip stitch into the first stitch to form a ring, chain 1.
Row 1:
2 SC
(1 HDC, 1 DC) in next stitch
1 DC
3 DC in next stitch
1 DC
1 DC INC
2 DC
1 DC INC
1 DC
3 DC INC (3 double crochet increases in a row)
1 DC
2 HDC
2 SC
2 HDC (Bottom of the apple)
1 DC
3 DC INC
1 DC
1 DC INC
2 DC
1 DC INC
1 DC
(1 DC, 1 HDC) in next stitch
2 SC
Fasten off with an invisible join. Make 4 identical pieces.
2. Assembly:
Glue two pieces together with hot glue along the borders.
Cut a piece of transparent plastic sheet to fit the apple window shape, and glue it inside the opening.
Put a few small shaker accessories/pom-poms inside.
Glue the remaining two pieces to the front and back to seal the plastic sheet inside.
Insert your hook through all 4 layers along the outer edge and crochet a round of Single Crochets all the way around to finish the border.
3. Stem, Leaf & Star:
Stem: With Brown (#66), attach to the top to form a loop (chain a length or use the stem instructions: 6 CH, turn, work 3 DC, 1 HDC, 1 SC, slip stitch). Leave a tail for sewing.
Leaf: With Green (#36), crochet a small leaf and hot glue it next to the stem.
Add a small yellow star on top.
