As the evening light dips low and casts long, gentle shadows across the doorway, there is something magical about welcoming the spooky season with handmade decor that glows against the dusk. This project captures that exact atmosphere, transforming simple cotton stitches into a playful, elegant row of friendly spirits swaying softly in the breeze.
Glow White Hanging Ghost Bunting Free Crochet Pattern
Quick Facts
- Stitches Used: Chain (ch), Single Crochet (sc), Half Double Crochet (hdc), Double Crochet (dc), Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Size Fit: One size customizable bunting (approx. 5 feet / 152 cm long featuring 5 hanging ghosts)
- Estimated Time to Complete: 3 to 4 hours total
- Gift-Appeal: Perfect for housewarming autumn gifts, harvest-party hosts, or as a quick weekend project to elevate your own seasonal mantel and entryway styling.
Want to make your bunting longer or shorter? Sizing customization tips are included later in the pattern!
What Makes This Glow White Hanging Ghost Bunting Special
This design achieves its crisp, modern aesthetic through a combination of thoughtful geometry and fiber choice. Working in continuous rounds from the rounded head down to the gathered skirt base creates a seamless, sculptural silhouette that holds its shape without requiring heavy internal wiring. The use of dense, mercerized cotton stitches highlights clean stitch definition, giving each ghost a luminous, matte-white pop against dark evening backgrounds or rustic brick. Finally, the integrated hanging loops are worked directly into the top of each head, allowing the ghosts to slide effortlessly along a minimalist twisted foundation cord for easy spacing.
Skill Level
- Level: Beginner-Friendly
- Required Skills:
- Basic working in the round (magic ring or chained loop)
- Basic increasing and decreasing (sc2tog)
- Working simple chains for hanging loops
- Following stitch counts over repeated short rows
💡 Designer Tip: If you are comfortable making a basic amigurumi sphere and transitioning into an open skirt, you will breeze through this pattern in a single afternoon!
Finished Measurements
| Measurement Type | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Ghost Height | 5.5 inches | 14 cm |
| Individual Ghost Head Width | 2.5 inches | 6.4 cm |
| Bunting Total Span (5 Ghosts) | 60.0 inches | 152 cm |
| Foundation Cord Length | 72.0 inches | 183 cm |
Materials You Will Need
- Yarn Weight: Sport (#2) or Light Worsted (#3) 100% cotton yarn
- Hook Size: US C/2 (2.75 mm) or US E/4 (3.5 mm) depending on your tension
- Additional Tools: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers, and a small wooden dowel or blocking pins (optional, for shaping)
| Color Name | Hex Code / Visual Description | Yarn Weight | Yardage Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glow White | #FFFFFF / Bright, crisp optic white | Sport / Light Worsted | 150 yds (137 m) |
| Midnight Black | #1A1A1A / Deep charcoal (optional for eyes) | Sport / Light Worsted | 5 yds (5 m) |
Yarn Suggestions
| Yarn Brand & Line Name | Weight Category | Yardage per Skein | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knit Picks Dishie | Worsted (#4) | 190 yds / 100g | Super crisp, matte cotton with incredible stitch definition. |
| Schachenmayr Catania | Sport (#2) | 137 yds / 50g | Smooth mercerized cotton with a gorgeous subtle luster. |
| Hobbub Cotton 8/8 | DK (#3) | 82 yds / 50g | Soft yet sturdy; holds the ghostly rounded head shape well. |
⚠️ Note: Avoid fuzzy acrylic or novelty faux-fur yarns for this project. The magic of these ghosts lies in the crisp, clean stitch definition of smooth cotton!
Gauge
| Gauge Type | Stitches / Rows | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Single Crochet (Head) | 16 sts x 18 rows | 4 inches x 4 inches (10 cm x 10 cm) |
| Finished Head Motif | 2.5 inches across | 6.4 cm diameter |
⚠️ Note: Be sure to check your gauge! Working with a slightly smaller hook than recommended on the yarn label ensures your stitches remain tight and the ghost head holds its rounded shape without stuffing.
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | Chain |
| sc | Single Crochet |
| hdc | Half Double Crochet |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| sc2tog | Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together (decrease) |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| rep | Repeat |
| FO | Fasten Off |
Special Stitches Explained
- Magic Ring (MR): Lay the yarn tail across your left palm, wrap the working yarn around your index and middle fingers to form a circle. Insert hook through the center of the ring, grab working yarn, pull up a loop, and ch 1 to secure.
- Invisible Sc2tog: Insert hook into the front loop only of the next stitch, then insert hook into the front loop only of the following stitch. Yarn over, pull through both front loops on hook, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on hook.
Pattern Instructions
Section 1: The Ghost Head
Make 5 identical heads using Glow White.
- Round 1: Start with a MR, work 6 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (6 sts)
- Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12 sts)
- Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (18 sts)
- Round 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join. (24 sts)*
- Rounds 5-7: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. (24 sts per round)
- Round 8: Ch 1, * sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around. Join. (18 sts)
- Round 9: Ch 1, * sc2tog, sc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (12 sts)
✅ Checkpoint: At the end of Round 9, you will have a small, rounded dome shape. Lightly stuff the head with a tiny pinch of leftover yarn ends or leave hollow if preferred.
Section 2: The Flowing Skirt
Continue directly from the bottom of the ghost head.
- Round 10: Ch 1, working in front loops only for this round, work 2 hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to first hdc. (24 sts)
- Round 11: Ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around. Join. (48 sts)*
- Rounds 12-14: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around. Join. (48 sts per round)
- Round 15: Ch 1, working a scalloped lace edge: skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sc in next st; rep from * around. Join, FO, and weave in ends. (12 scalloped arches)*
Section 3: The Hanging Loop & Foundation Cord
- Hanging Loop (Make 5): Attach Glow White to the top center of Round 1 of the Ghost Head. Ch 12, sl st back into the exact same base stitch to form a secure hanging loop. FO and weave in ends.
- Foundation Cord: Using Glow White, create a long foundation chain of 250 chains (approx. 72 inches / 183 cm), or work an I-cord of equal length for added durability. FO.
Section 4: Assembly
Thread the foundation cord sequentially through the top hanging loop of each completed ghost. Space the ghosts evenly, leaving approximately 6 inches (15 cm) between each ghost and generous hanging tails on both ends for tying. (Optional: Use scraps of Midnight Black yarn to embroider tiny French knot eyes on each ghost head).
Size Customization Tips
- To Make a Longer Bunting: Simply crochet additional ghost motifs following Sections 1 and 2, and lengthen your foundation chain by 12 inches (30 cm) for every 2 additional ghosts added.
- To Make Smaller Mini Ghosts: Drop down your hook size to a US B/1 (2.25 mm) and stop head increases at Round 3 (18 sts), adjusting skirt rounds accordingly. This reduces each ghost height by approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
Care Instructions
Hand wash gently in cool water with mild wool wash. Lay flat to dry on a clean towel, shaping the scalloped skirt edges flat with your fingers. Do not bleach. If crisp shaping is desired, lightly mist with diluted fabric stiffener or starch before final drying.
Glow White Hanging Ghost Bunting
Thank you so much for crocheting along with me! I hope crafting these sweet little spirits brings a cozy, handcrafted touch to your autumn evenings. I would love to see your finished bunting hanging proudly in your home. Be sure to share your photos, tag me on social media, save this pattern to your favorite Pinterest boards for later, and leave a comment below letting me know where you plan to hang your ghosts!