It’s been TWELVE YEARS since I first shared my free tutorial for how to make a beaded spider – and since then I’ve created a printable PDF beaded spider pattern (downloaded by thousands) and listed a countless number of my handmade beaded spiders for sale (online and in local shops over the years). It makes me smile when I think about the incredible number of people who have an adorable Christmas spider ornament hiding among their Christmas tree’s branches, either from finding my blog tutorial, downloading the PDF, or snagging an original spider ornament from my shop when I’ve offered handmade Christmas spider ornaments for sale.
Beaded Spider Pattern Free (Beaded Spider Tutorial)
I first shared how to make a beaded spider in 2011, in a blog post, and you can still find the free beaded spider pattern and supply list there. Since publishing that post, I received so many requests to share a printable PDF spider tutorial, so last year I made one available for a small fee – and was blown away by the response! The PDF has totally brand new photos (the spider ornament shown below is the one made in that new version of the tutorial). The 13 page tutorial has detailed, step by step instructions, accompanied by large and clear photos for every step. As a bonus, I also condensed the tutorial into a smaller, printable version because a lot of people like to make these as a group, gathering with friends of family for a beaded spider crafting party. I wanted to help make that easier so the digital download for my beaded spider pattern has a larger version for you to see the steps most clearly, and then a smaller, printable, 2 page version for your enjoyment. Each PDF also has a printable spider story.
Why Your Christmas Tree Needs a Spider Ornament
The origin of the Christmas spider is unknown, but as a child I learned the legend of the Christmas spider as originating from Germany – but it is also said to be a Ukrainian or Polish tradition. When a video about my spiders received almost half a million views on TikTok and 2.2 million views on Instagram, some Germans confirmed that they heard the legend of the Christmas spider growing up – while others were utterly offended the story was said to take place in Germany. Although I have read many sources that suggest the tale has German roots, I’ve removed all mention of a country from the version I shared here. Please enjoy the two versions of the Christmas spider legend – and let me know in the comments which one you prefer! P.S. There’s a children’s book adaptation if you know any little ones who would enjoy! For adults, I’m reading Christmas: A Biography, and it’s fascinating.
Legend of the Christmas Spider
A long time ago, a mother was busily cleaning for Christmas. The spiders fled to the attic to escape her broom. When the house became quiet the spiders slowly crept downstairs for a peek.
Oh what a beautiful Christmas tree they saw!
In their excitement they scurried up the trunk and out along each branch. They were filled with happiness as they climbed all over the glittering tree. As they climbed, the tree became completely shrouded in their dusty grey spider webs.
When Kriss Kringle (or Father Christmas, Santa Claus – I learned it as St. Nicholas) came with the gifts for the children, and saw the tree covered with spider webs, he smiled because he saw how happy the spiders were, but he knew how heartbroken the mother would be if she saw the tree covered with the dusty webs.
So he turned the webs to silver and gold. The tree sparkled and shimmered and was even more beautiful than before.
That’s why we have tinsel on our tree and every tree should have a Christmas spider in its branches!
Another Christmas Spider Ornament Story Variation
The version above is how I learned it, but there’s another version I learned when I shared that video online (which apparently is a version that is told in Ukraine). To find a spider among the tree branches is apparently good luck:
There was once was a hardworking but poor widow who lived in a small, cold hut with her children. One day, a pinecone took root inside their home. The children were excited by the prospect of a tree for Christmas, so they carefully took care of the seedling in anticipation. When Christmastime arrived, the family could not afford to decorate the tree and went to bed on Christmas Eve, leaving the small tree branches unadorned.
The spiders in the attic heard the children softly sobbing and so they crept down and spun their intricate webs along every branch of the tree. On Christmas morning the children delightedly cried for their mother and the widow awoke to a beautiful tree covered in glimmering webs, turned silver and gold in the glow of sunlight. From then on, the widow used the silver and gold to provide for her family, and she and her children never wanted for anything.
This is why we hang tinsel on our trees. And to remember this miracle, and welcome good luck and fortune into our homes for the new year, we still hang a spider among the branches of our Christmas tree.
Beaded Spiders for Sale
When the TikTok about my beaded spiders got so many views last year, I sold out of my spider ornaments in one day! This year I made a limited quantity a bit earlier, which I just listed for sale. You can find my Christmas beaded spiders for sale in my shop, by clicking here. Each beaded spider Christmas ornament is handmade and one of a kind. In my entire life, I have never made two exactly the same, partly because I source my beading supplies from so many places – and also because it keeps it interesting for me when they’re unique! Here are some of my favorite beaded spider Christmas tree ornaments for sale right now:
How I Got Started Making Beaded Spiders
The first time I made these beaded spiders I was actually in grade 8. My Mom and her business partner at the time, a good friend and talented artist, were selling beautiful handmade accessories that my Mom sewed and her friend beaded. Beaded Christmas spiders was a seasonal item they sold, and they just could not keep up with demand, so they outsourced some of the work to me! I had always loved making things – especially my own beaded jewelry – and was good with my hands, so they paid me per spider to bead the legs. They made the bodies and handed me a big box of legless spiders. Very suspiciously, I was grounded for March break that year, and very conveniently had allllllll this time on my hands to bead spiders legs. My Mom vehemently denies all of this, but I know the truth, lol.
I’ve made them ever since – they were even our wedding favors, because Hubby and I got married a few days before Christmas. I have also sold them, off and on, but I can never commit to making more than a small batch each year. I love making them, but I get distracted and want to make other things – that’s why I like being a DIY/craft blogger: I get to try so many different projects and share them with you! I just make a small batch, every now and then, because every year people ask me to sell mine and I do love the idea of sending these out across the world.
I wanted to let you know first that my shop is stocked with beaded spiders for sale in 2023 – although I am totally going to encourage you to try your hand at making your own easy beaded spider! Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find these spiders are really fun to make. You can upcycle old or special jewelry (I used to do this!) to make sentimental ones or use birthstone beads to make loved ones an ornament just for them! There are many possibilities. Happy crafting!
