Things are getting creepy, crawly, and a little bit hairy here on the blog. My latest crochet pattern – the Spooky Spiderweb & Spider – is a DIY home decor project that’s here just in time for Halloween!!! Click the links below to purchase the inexpensive PDF pattern from Etsy or Ravelry. Scroll down to read about the behind the scenes design and inspiration, yarn choice with alternatives, and step by step pattern.
***The pattern includes steps on how to make the spiderweb, which comes in 2 sizes, and the spider. Yep, it’s a 2-for-1!!! And *BONUS* there’s also a photo tutorial on how to turn your web into a hangable indoor Halloween decoration.***
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Ravelry HERE.
Pin to your Pinterest board for later HERE.
The spiderweb comes in 2 sizes:
- Small – 10″ in diameter, which is a great size for hanging on a wall or door.
- Large – 17″ in diameter, which can be draped on a couch cushion or arm. Or used as a tabletop centerpiece.
Add on a little crocheted spider with some scrap yarn and you’ve got yourself a handmade Halloween decoration.
Design & Inspiration
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so it makes sense that I design something to get into the haunted mood. I love decorating my house with ghosts and black cats and Jack-o-lanterns. I even have light-up owl skeletons that I hang in my front window.
But what bone-chilling thing could I make with yarn? Hmm…
Yarn Choice
It was really the look of the yarn that gave me the idea for a spiderweb. I’ve had Lion Brand’s Gold Leaf in Black Silver in my yarn stash for a couple of years now after purchasing it as part of a mystery box. The shimmery silver streaks against the chunky black reminded me of how a spider’s web glistens in the moonlight. And the way a spider carefully “hand” crafts its web…well, it’s just like how we do with yarn.
As for the spider itself, I chose Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice in Burgundy. I wanted the spider to be a reasonable size so as to stand out against the dark web, but not take over it completely. I wanted it to be somewhat realistic, so a worsted weight yarn was the best option. The burgundy colorway I chose was to play on the darker Halloween color-scheme.
Yarn Alternatives
So, unfortunately the yarn I used for the web is discontinued. Eek! However, Lion Brand has other super bulky options that would make such creepy web alternatives. Check out my fav, Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in either Black, Obsidian, Constellation, or Metropolis. Or try Hometown in Oakland Black.
For the spider, I recommend Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease in Tawny Port as a substitute to Vanna’s Choice.
Skill Level & Supplies
Both web and spider are beginner-friendly crochet projects. You’ll need to know how to make a magic circle to crochet in the round, chain, single crochet and double crochet. Use a US M/9.00 mm hook for the web and a US I/5.50 mm hook for the spider.
As for the hanging decoration, you’ll need scissors, a hot glue gun and either an embroidery hoop or piece of cardboard cut into a circle or oval of about 1″ thick. Find out how to make your own by following the steps in the pattern below, or by purchasing the PDF pattern on Etsy or Ravelry.
Hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween!!!
Pattern
Spiderweb
MATERIALS
Lion Brand’s Gold Leaf in Black Silver (weight 6 / super bulky, 49 yds/45 m, 2.6 oz/75 g) or approximately 1 skein of an alternative super bulky yarn. Note: Gold Leaf is discontinued, so see below for my recommended substitutes.
Yarn Substitutes: Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in either Black, Obsidian, Constellation, or Metropolis; or Lion Brand’s Hometown in Oakland Black
Size US M/9.00 mm crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker (optional)
FINISHED SIZE (approx.)
Small – Diameter: 10″
Large – Diameter: 17″
GAUGE
8 sts x 6 rows = 4″ in dc
ABBREVIATIONS
*Pattern is written in standard US terms*
Ch – chain
Ch sp – chain space
Dc – double crochet
Rep – repeat
Sl st – slip stitch
St(s) – stitch(es)
Notes: Spiderweb is worked in the round. The ch 3 at the beginning of every round counts as a st. In rounds that start with more than 3 ch, the ch 3 still counts as the first st and the rest count as a ch sp. The dc sts are worked in the dc st from the previous round, not the ch sp. The ch sp is always skipped. The totals at the end of each round are the total ch sp and dc sts combined. There are 8 dc sts in each round, and the number of ch increase in each round. To finish a round, sl st in 3rd ch from the series of ch made in beginning of round.
Make a magic circle, ch 3 (counts as first dc).
Round 1: dc 7 in magic circle, sl st. (8)
Round 2: ch 6, *dc, ch 3, rep from * 6 times, sl st in 3rd ch. (32)
Round 3: ch 8, skip ch sp, dc, *ch 5, skip ch sp, dc, rep from * 6 times, ch 5, skip ch sp, sl st in 3rd ch. (48)
Round 4: ch 10, skip ch sp, dc, *ch 7, skip ch sp, dc, rep from * 6 times, ch 7, skip ch sp, sl st in 3rd ch. (64)
Round 5: ch 12, skip ch sp, dc, *ch 9, skip ch sp, dc, rep from * 6 times, ch 9, skip ch sp, sl st in 3rd ch. (80)
For smaller size, stop here after round 5. Secure and weave in the ends.
For larger size, continue to round 6.
Round 6: ch 14, skip ch sp, dc, *ch 11, skip ch sp, dc, rep from * 6 times, ch 11, skip ch sp, sl st in 3rd ch. (96)
Round 7: ch 16, skip ch sp, dc, *ch 13, skip ch sp, dc, rep from * 6 times, ch 13, skip ch sp, sl st in 3rd ch. (112)
Round 8: ch 18, skip ch sp, dc, *ch 15, skip ch sp, dc, rep from * 6 times, ch 15, skip ch sp, sl st in 3rd ch. (128)
Secure and weave in all ends.
To make even larger, increase the starting ch and ch sp counts by 2 ch in each round.
Spider
MATERIALS
Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice in Burgundy (weight 4 / worsted, 170 yds/156 m, 3.5 oz/100 g) or 1 skein of an alternative medium worsted weight yarn. Note: can also use scrap yarn if on hand.
Size US I/5.50 mm crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker (optional)
FINISHED SIZE (approx.)
Head – Diameter: 1″
Body – Diameter: 1.5”
ABBREVIATIONS
*Pattern is written in standard US terms*
Ch – chain
Ch sp – chain space
Dc – double crochet
Rep – repeat
Sc – single crochet
Sl st – slip stitch
St(s) – stitch(es)
Notes: Spider’s body and head are worked in the round. Make 2 separate circles and connect by sewing together.
To make the head:
Make a magic circle, ch 1 (counts as first sc).
Round 1: sc 7 in magic circle, sl st. (8)
Secure and weave in ends.
To make the body:
Make a magic circle, ch 3 (counts as first dc).
Round 1: dc 7 in magic circle, sl st. (8)
Secure and weave in ends.
Sew head and body together.
To make the legs:
Cut 4 5-6” strips of yarn and loop through body with crochet hook as if adding tassels.
Sew spider onto web with tapestry needle and extra yarn or cut another 5-6” strip and tie one end onto spider’s body and other end onto web for hanging look.
Hanging Spiderweb
MATERIALS
Spooky Spiderweb – completed
Super bulky yarn used to make Spooky Spiderweb
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Embroidery hoop or piece of cardboard cut into a circle or oval 1” thick that measures 11” or more in diameter for small spiderweb or 18” or more for large spiderweb (small is pictured in demo)
STEPS
1. Wrap yarn entirely around embroidery hoop or cardboard circle.
2. Cut yarn once hoop is covered, leaving a 2-3” tail.
3. Place hoop with front side facing downward and glue yarn tail to the back of the hoop. Let dry.
4. Cut 8 5-6” strips of yarn and either tie or glue to the web at each point where there’s a dc st. Let dry.
5. Turn hoop over so that the front side is facing upward to center the web if needed, then turn back over.
6. Glue the yarn strips to the back of the hoop, pulling taut in areas you wish to expand the web. Let dry.
7. Cut another strip of yarn to make the hanging loop, about 5-6” or longer, depending on your preference.
8. Glue hanging loop to the top of the hoop and let dry.
9. Once dry, cut any loose ends.
10. Hang your Spooky Spiderweb & Spider and enjoy!
Contact
Please email me at gourdgeousknits@gmail.com if you have any questions about the pattern. Feel free to send and tag me in any photos of your works in progress and finished projects with #spookyspiderwebandspider and #gourdgeousknits. I love seeing your knits and sharing them on my social media sites.
The patterns and photographs are the property of Kristin Strecker-Kellogg of gourdgeous knits and are for personal, non-commercial use. The selling or distribution of these patterns physically or electronically are not permitted. Please credit gourdgeous knits when sharing on social media with #gourdgeousknits.
