Make one skull at a time. Magic ring, 6 sc. [6]. Round 2: increase every stitch. [12]. Round 3: (sc, increase) 6 times. [18]. Round 4: sc 5, chain 2, skip 2 (eye socket left), sc 4, chain 2, skip 2 (eye socket right), sc 5. [18, with 2 chain spaces]. Round 5: sc around, working 2 sc into each chain space. [18]. Round 6: (sc, decrease) 6 times. [12]. Stuff lightly. Round 7: decrease around. [6]. Fasten off, pull shut, weave in tail.

Jaw: with white yarn, join to the base of the skull and chain 7. Turn, sc back across 6, then sc into the skull to anchor. Add a second row if you want the jaw more prominent. Fasten off and weave in.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have 10 skulls.

Chain: with white yarn, crochet a chain long enough to span your target space, typically 60 to 80 chains for a 50 cm mantel section. Every 6 chains, slip stitch the chain to the top of one skull. Work across all 10 skulls, adding a few extra chains at each end for tying.

Tie the garland at each end, adjust the skulls so they hang level, and weave in the remaining tails. The garland holds its shape without stiffening and rolls up flat for storage.