How to Crochet Playful Grinch Hanging Wind Spinner

This playful hanging wind spinner turns festive mischief into holiday charm. With its twisting spiral body, cheeky smirk, cozy Santa hat, and tiny jingling bell, it spins happily with every winter breeze. This clear video tutorial shows you how to bring this fun holiday character to life using simple crochet stitches, bright yarn, and lots of joyful holiday spirit.

Christmas Crochet Playful Grinch Hanging Wind Spinner

Creating this ornament is an exciting and enjoyable craft. First, you crochet a long spiral strip that naturally curls into a springy twister. Next, you work the green head in rounds, insert safety eyes, and sculpt the face with yarn needle shaping. After crocheting a red Santa hat, you embroider the mischievous expression, assemble the pieces securely, and attach a sweet bell and hanging loop at the very top end.

Difficulty Level

• Level: Intermediate (or Confident Beginner)

• Why:

  1. High Stitch Counts: The spiral body expands quickly (up to 360 stitches per row), requiring patience and consistent tension to ensure even coiling without tangling.

  2. Fine Gauge Work: Using a small 2.0 mm hook with fine yarn requires good hand dexterity.

  3. Facial Sculpting & Embroidery: Needle-pulling to depress the eye sockets and embroidering the slanted brows, lashes, and iconic Grinch smirk require precision to achieve the intended facial expression.

Pattern Abbreviations

• MR – Magic Ring

• CH – Chain

• SC – Single Crochet

• HDC – Half Double Crochet

• DC – Double Crochet

• INC – Increase (2 stitches in one stitch)

• DEC – Decrease (join 2 stitches together)

• SL ST – Slip Stitch

Materials

• Yarn Colors:

  • Light Green (Color 69)

  • Dark Green (Color 126)

  • Red (Color 90)

  • White (Color 62)

  • Scrap black yarn (for eye and mouth embroidery)

Other Materials:

• Crochet Hook: 2.0 mm

• 8 mm safety eyes

• Holofiber stuffing

• Small metal bell

• Small white pom-pom & craft glue

• Tapestry needle & Scissors

• Stitch marker

Special / Key Technique Guide

• Double Crochet (DC):

  • Yarn over your hook and insert it into the next stitch.

  • Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).

  • Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops (2 loops remain).

  • Yarn over once more and pull through the remaining 2 loops.

• Spiral Coiling (HDC / DC Increases):

  • By working two or three stitches into every single chain or base stitch, the row expands faster than its foundation chain. This deliberate crowding forces the fabric to twist naturally into a corkscrew spiral without needing any wire.

• Eye Indentation / Needle Sculpting:

  • Thread a needle with matching green yarn and insert it through the base of the head up to the outer corner of the eye.

  • Stitch across the back of the safety eye and out the opposite side, then gently pull the yarn tight before knotting. This pulls the eyes inward, creating defined brow ridges and realistic facial depth.

Video Guide: