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Hang a snowman from the porch and he does not just sit there looking cute: he twirls. Crochet wind spinners and chimes take a simple snowman head, add a long spiral tail, and let the winter breeze do the dancing.
This snowman wind chime free crochet pattern roundup starts with the classic bell spinner as a full free pattern guide, then shows a tree topper style spinner ornament, a snowman and tree spinner pair, and seven more variations including a true wind chime with metal tubes.
The secret of every design here is the spiral: a long chain worked with extra stitches so it corkscrews on its own. Once you can make the spiral, you can make every spinner and chime in this list.
The first three ideas include full materials lists and simple pattern notes written for this post. The rest are shorter variation guides with a you will need list, so pick the classic pattern first, then play with the variations.
Quick Picks
- The free pattern: Classic Snowman Wind Spinner with Bell, idea 1
- Best for the tree: Mini Snowman Wind Spinner Ornament, idea 6
- Best real chime sound: Snowman Wind Chime with Metal Tubes, idea 5
1. Classic Snowman Wind Spinner with Bell
Here is the free pattern everything else builds on: a smiling snowman head in a black top hat, a long red and white spiral body, and a gold bell at the bottom that rings as he spins. Hang him on the porch and he dances all winter.
⏱ 2 to 3 hours🛠 Confident beginnerSize: About 18 in (46 cm) long
Materials Needed
- White and red DK cotton or acrylic yarn, about 50 g each
- Black yarn for the hat, plus orange and black scraps for the face
- A pinch of toy stuffing for the head
- One gold jingle bell, about 1 in (25 mm)
- 3.5 mm crochet hook, yarn needle, and a swivel clip or split ring for hanging
Pattern Notes
Head: work a small ball in white, increasing in rounds to about 18 stitches around, work a few plain rounds, then decrease and stuff firmly. Embroider eyes and a smile, and sew on a tiny orange cone or triangle for the nose. Hat: a black cylinder with a flat brim disc, sewn on at a slight angle. Spiral body: chain about 80 in red. Work back along the chain with 3 single crochet in every chain; the extra stitches force the strip to corkscrew. Repeat with white and twist the two spirals together, or alternate colors along one chain for stripes. Sew the spiral firmly to the base of the head, stitch the bell to the bottom tip, and add a strong hanging loop through the hat.
Tip: A fishing swivel or swivel clip at the top makes the spinner turn freely instead of twisting its cord. It is the difference between a spinner that dances and one that just hangs.
2. Snowman Wind Spinner Ornament
The same idea dressed for the tree: a neat snowman face with a top hat and holly, and a spiral in red, white and green that catches the light as it turns. Photographed here against a decorated tree, it shows how well spinners work indoors too.
⏱ About 2 hours🛠 Confident beginnerSize: About 14 in (36 cm) long
Materials Needed
- White DK yarn for the head
- Red yarn, plus green yarn, for the striped spiral
- Black yarn for the hat, orange scrap for the nose
- A pinch of stuffing and a small red berry bead for the holly
- 3.5 mm crochet hook and a yarn needle
Pattern Notes
Make the head as in idea 1, a little smaller. For the striped spiral, work one long chain and crochet back along it, changing color every 10 stitches between red, white and green so the stripes wind around the corkscrew. Add a tiny holly leaf and berry to the hat brim, and hang from a top branch where passing air from the room still turns it slowly.
Tip: Indoors, hang spinners near a heat vent or a frequently opened door. The gentle air movement is enough to keep them turning.
3. Snowman and Tree Wind Spinner Pair
Double the fun: a snowman spinner hangs beside a Christmas tree spinner, both finished with clusters of bauble bells that chime as they twirl. Hang the pair either side of a fireplace or porch door for a matched set.
⏱ 4 to 5 hours for the pair🛠 IntermediateSize: About 16 in (41 cm) long each
Materials Needed
- White, green and red DK yarn
- Black and gold scraps for hats and details
- Small gold bells for the chime clusters
- Stuffing for the snowman head
- 3.5 mm crochet hook, yarn needle and two swivel clips
Pattern Notes
Make the snowman exactly as in idea 1. For the tree, crochet a small green cone with a star on top and a few white snowflake stitches, then attach a white spiral under it the same way. Instead of one bell, finish each spinner with a small cluster of three bells on short cords at different lengths, so the pair chimes softly as they turn.
Tip: Keep the two spirals the same length so the pair hangs evenly. Lay them side by side before adding the bells and trim the longer chain.
4. Classic Spiral Wind Spinner Base
Before the snowman, master the spiral itself. This plain pink spinner shows the corkscrew in its simplest form: one long chain, worked with three stitches per chain, twisting into a perfect spring. Practice this base and every headed spinner becomes easy.
You’ll need: any DK yarn, a 3.5 mm hook, and a bell or bead for the bottom weight.
Best for: Learning the spiral technique
5. Snowman Wind Chime with Metal Tubes
For a real chime sound, hang metal tubes below the snowman head. The crochet snowman wears a tall top hat and smiles above five silver tubes and a wooden clapper, and this is the version that actually plays music in the breeze.
You’ll need: white and black DK yarn, a small wind chime tube set or old chime parts, strong cord, stuffing, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Porches where you want real chime sound
6. Mini Snowman Wind Spinner Ornament
A palm sized snowman head in a Santa hat with a short red and white spiral and one tiny bell, made for the tree. Worked with a smaller hook and finer yarn, the mini takes under an hour and a set of them dances along a whole garland.
You’ll need: white and red 4 ply or DK yarn, a tiny bell, a pinch of stuffing, and a 3 mm hook.
Best for: Trees, garlands and ornament swaps
7. Rainbow Snowman Wind Spinner
Swap the classic colors for a rainbow spiral and a striped hat and scarf set. This joyful version is a hit with children and looks wonderful in a bright window where the colors glow as it turns.
You’ll need: white yarn for the head, small amounts of rainbow colors for the spiral, a small bell, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Kids rooms and bright windows
8. Snowman Jingle Bell Mobile
A gentle variation for indoors: a snowman face sits in a crochet ring while strings of gold and red jingle bells hang below at different lengths. It shimmers and tinkles whenever the door opens, without needing a strong breeze.
You’ll need: white yarn, a metal or plastic ring, assorted small jingle bells, cord, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Hallways and above the Christmas table
9. Blue and Silver Snowman Wind Spinner
A winter palette version in icy blue and white, with a bobble hat and long scarf worked right into the design and a pale spiral below. This one suits January as much as December, so it can stay up long after the tree comes down.
You’ll need: white and pale blue yarn, a silver bell, stuffing, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Winter decor beyond Christmas
10. Snowman Wind Spinner Trio for the Porch
Three snowmen in a row, each in a different hat color with a matching spiral in red, green and gold. A porch beam or window top dressed with a trio like this moves and chimes as one happy little chorus line.
You’ll need: white yarn, red, green and gold yarns for hats and spirals, three small bells, swivel clips, and a 3.5 mm hook.
Best for: Porch beams and wide windows
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a wind spinner and a wind chime?
A wind spinner is made to twirl and catch the eye, while a wind chime is made to sound. Most crochet snowmen here are spinners with a bell for a little music; idea 5 adds metal tubes when you want a true chime sound.
How do you make the spiral twist?
Work back along a long chain with more stitches than the chain can hold flat, usually 3 single crochet in every chain stitch. The crowded stitches force the strip into a corkscrew. More stitches per chain gives a tighter twist.
What yarn lasts best outdoors?
Acrylic and cotton yarns both handle porch life well. Cotton keeps the spiral shape crisply, while acrylic shrugs off damp. Avoid pure wool outdoors, as it felts and stretches in wet weather.
Why does my spinner not turn?
Usually the hanging cord is twisting instead of the spinner turning. Add a small fishing swivel or swivel clip between the hook and the spinner, and hang it where air moves, such as a porch corner or near a vent indoors.
How long should the spiral be?
For a porch spinner, 12 to 16 in (30 to 41 cm) of spiral below the head looks balanced and turns well. Minis for the tree need only 5 to 7 in (13 to 18 cm). Very long spirals tangle more easily, so add a bell at the end to weight them.
Can beginners make the snowman spinner?
Yes. The head is a simple ball of single crochet rounds and the spiral is the same stitch repeated. If your first spiral twists unevenly, it still looks charming, and the technique settles quickly with practice.
Final Thoughts on Snowman Wind Chime Free Crochet Pattern
One chain, three stitches per chain, and a snowman is dancing on your porch. Start with the classic bell spinner from the free pattern notes, then try the tube chime for real music and the rainbow for the grandkids. Few crochet projects bring this much movement and joy for this little yarn. Happy hooking.
