Puff Stitch Hanging Cone Free Crochet Pattern

Puff Stitch Hanging Cone – Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This puff stitch hanging cone is a small, satisfying project for anyone who wants a bit of texture in their plant corner. It is written for advanced beginners who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to try puff stitch for the first time. Worked entirely in one lilac cotton, the puffy stitches give it a soft, slightly grunge look that suits trailing plants and small pots. It measures about 4.5 inches across the top and 5 inches tall, with a small drainage opening at the bottom, so it looks good and treats your plant well.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) recycled cotton, 100% cotton, 1 skein (approx. 120 yd / 110 m) in lilac. The whole cone uses one color.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a stitch marker (optional, for marking the first puff of each round), and a small pot or plant to hang.
• Finished size: Approx. 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) diameter at the top, 5 inches (12.5 cm) height, with a 1 inch (2.5 cm) diameter opening at the bottom.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st / sts – stitch / stitches.
• sp / sps – space / spaces (here, the ch-1 spaces between puffs).
• sk – skip: leave the next space unworked.
• puff st – puff stitch: yarn over, insert hook into the space, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Repeat this 3 more times into the same space (9 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 9 loops, then ch 1 to lock the puff.
• magic ring – an adjustable loop that you pull closed after the first round.

Gauge

4 puff stitches and 4 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in puff stitch pattern. To check it, crochet a small swatch of puff stitches with ch-1 spaces between them and measure across several puffs and rounds before starting the cone.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your puff stitches even by pulling each loop up to the same height before closing the puff. Uneven loops make the texture look lumpy rather than puffy.
• Count your puffs at the end of every round. The increases in R4 and R6 double the count, and the skips in R13, R15 and R17 halve it, so a quick count keeps the shape correct.
• Use a stitch marker in the first puff of each round so you always know where to join with the slip stitch.
• Do not pull the final gathering tail too tight. You want the bottom opening to stay about 1 inch across so water can drain.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cone (worked from the top down in joined rounds)

With lilac, make a magic ring.

R1: Ch 1, work 8 puff stitches into ring. Join with sl st to first puff. (8 puffs)

R2: Ch 1, [puff st in next st, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (8 puffs, 8 ch-1 sps)

R3: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (8 puffs, 8 ch-1 sps)

R4: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, puff st in same sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (16 puffs, 16 ch-1 sps)

R5: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (16 puffs, 16 ch-1 sps)

R6: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, puff st in same sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (32 puffs, 32 ch-1 sps)

R7–12: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (32 puffs, 32 ch-1 sps)

R13: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (16 puffs, 16 ch-1 sps)

R14: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (16 puffs, 16 ch-1 sps)

R15: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (8 puffs, 8 ch-1 sps)

R16: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (8 puffs, 8 ch-1 sps)

R17: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (4 puffs, 4 ch-1 sps)

R18: Ch 1, [puff st in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] around. Join with sl st to first puff. (4 puffs, 4 ch-1 sps)

Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave the tail through the remaining 4 ch-1 sps and pull tight to close the bottom opening, leaving a small hole (approx. 1 inch diameter) for drainage.

Hanging Loop

Join yarn with sl st to any ch-1 sp at the top edge. Ch 20, sl st to same sp to form a loop. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends with the tapestry needle, working them into the back of the puffs so they stay hidden. Gently shape the cone with your hands so the top edge lies flat and the sides taper evenly. Block lightly by misting with water and letting it dry in shape, or steam it briefly if your cotton allows; avoid stretching the bottom opening. Once dry, slip a small pot into the cone and hang it by the loop.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make a set in different colors and hang them at staggered heights for a grouped display.
• Add a second hanging loop on the opposite side of the top edge so the cone hangs level from two points.
• Use a slightly smaller hook for a firmer, more structured cone, or a larger hook for a looser, softer look.