Rainbows have always spread joy and hope but during 2020 they sent messages of support all over the world. In the UK we displayed them in our windows to show gratitude for our wonderful NHS staff (my husband included) and all the Keyworkers keeping the country going. A dear friend asked me to make her some, so I grabbed my hook and created this sweet little Rainbow of Gratitude, and I share it with you here as a free rainbow crochet pattern. I hope you have fun making it.
I’d love it if you could add it to your Ravelry favs and help others find it by sharing on social media, pinning etc.
Pattern uses US crochet terminology with UK shown in brackets in the list of abbreviations.
Skill Level:
Easy/Advanced beginner. You will need knowledge of how to do the basic stitches of chain, half double crochet and also how to change colour.
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Materials Needed:
If you follow me, you’ll know I always try to use an eco-friendly yarn whenever I can, so I used mainly King Cole Big Value Recycled Aran, sadly now discontinued. For subsequent rainbows I used up scraps and the absolutely lovely recycled cotton blend Hoooked Soft Cotton. I highly recommend it for the gorgeous bright colours at a very affordable price.
This is an ideal project for using up scraps. You only need a tiny amount for the first few colours.
Yarn: Cotton in Aran/Worsted #4 weight or DK #3 weight (will be a little smaller). Only a small amount of each colour in your choice of rainbow colours, here are my suggestions: lilac, purple/indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red. Or go for pastel versions for a really pretty look.
If you need to buy supplies, why not consider recycled options if you can? I think you’ll fall in love with the gorgeous colours of Hoooked Soft Cotton, available at Lovecrafts UK.
For many more recycled yarn ideas, check out my post The Definitive (ish) List of Recycled Yarns, if you love eco then you’ll want to Pin it or bookmark it to come back to again and again.
Size G (4.0mm) crochet Hook. I highly recommend Clover Soft touch, I use them most of the time and have a set that has 2.5 mm to 6 mm sizes as I find using a standard thin steel hook uncomfortable. Sadly LoveCrafts have stopped stocking them but I’ve found them on Amazon for you.
Yarn needle, for sewing in ends:
Stitch marker – I only use locking ones like these:
Sharp little Scissors – Aren’t these just gorgeous?
Abbreviations used:
- St – Stitch
- Sts – Stitches
- Sl st – Slip stitch
- Ch – Chain
- Sc – Single crochet (UK Dc – Double crochet)
- Hdc – Half double crochet (UK Htr – Half treble)
Sizes/Finished Measurements:
6” wide x 3” high using aran/worsted weight cotton
Notes:
- The Rainbow is worked as a circle, folded in half and the sides sewn or crocheted together.
- You can stuff it to make a 3D hanging decoration if desired.
- Ch 2 at the start of rounds DOES count as a stitch.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch.
- Join new colour in fastened off stitch.
- Stitch count is shown at the end of each round in bold.
Prefer an Ad-free easy print version? You can purchase the PDF below, complete with step by step photos.
Exciting news! This pattern is being featured in the Crochet Magic Blog hop!. This event is running throughout April 2024 where each day the featured pattern is either free or discounted for 24 hours only (from 9am EST). Check out today’s pattern below.
My featured day 18th April 2024. On that day only you can grab the PDF for this pattern completely FREE! You will need the code from the main blog hop page below. It will only be published on the featured day. Scroll down to Day 18 and you’ll find it there.
Got the code? Head over to Ravelry below to get the pattern, remember to enter the code in the checkout to ensure you get it free. Why not subscribe to my email list while you’re here? I regularly offer exclusive email subscriber-only generous discounts and freebies.
Instructions:
Using size 4mm hook, and lilac yarn, starting with a tail of 5-6″, ch 9 and join with sl st to first ch.
Round 1: Ch 2, hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each ch, join with sl st to top of ch-2. Fasten off lilac. (18)
Round 2: Join Purple/Indigo, ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc, *2 hdc, hdc, repeat from * to end, join with sl st to top of ch-2. Fasten off purple/indigo. (27)
Round 3: Join blue, ch 2, hdc in next, *2 hdc, hdc in 2, repeat from * to last st, 2 hdc, join with sl st to top of ch-2. Fasten off blue. (36)
Round 4: Join green, ch 2, hdc in same st, *hdc in 3, 2 hdc repeat from * to end, join with sl st to top of ch-2. Fasten off green. (45)
Round 5: Join yellow, ch 2, hdc in next st, *2 hdc, hdc in 4, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, hdc in 2, join with sl st to top of ch-2. Fasten off yellow. (54).
Round 6: Join orange, Ch 2, hdc in same st, *hdc in 5, 2 hdc, repeat from * to end, join with sl st to top of ch-2. Fasten off orange. (63)
Round 7: Join red, ch 2, hdc in next 2, *2 hdc, hdc in 6, repeat from * to last 3 sts, hdc in 3, join with sl st to top of ch-2 (72). Fasten off red leaving a long tail to sew sides together OR do not cut yarn if you want to crochet the sides together.
Weave in ends (not essential), NOT the starting tail (lilac). Fold in half (along the line of the start/end of rounds is neatest), right side out and sew through the first round with the starting tail.
Now sew together along the edge of the last round and then weave those tails in. Alternatively sc sides together.
This style is ideal for hanging in the window as it is the same on both sides.
Hanging loop
In your colour of choice, attach yarn to the centre stitch of the top of your rainbow and ch 60 (or more/less for your perfect length). Attach with a sl st to the other side of the st in which you joined the yarn. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Ta da, you’re all done. Don’t forget to tag me in your social media posts @thecraftytherapist #rainbowofgratitude and if you’ve enjoyed this pattern and want to hear more from me I’d love you to subscribe to my email list. You’ll get exclusive discounts on new patterns, blog news and offers too.
You might also want to have a look at the sweet cloud and sun designs too. I joined them together with beads to make a really pretty hanging window decoration. Their patterns are also free on this site. Don’t they look just gorgeous together?
Please share this page and pin it for later. It really helps others find it. Thanks so much.
love Jan x❤️x
Interested in why you chose US terms as your post indicates you’re possibly English
Hi Suzanne, thanks for your question, I’m Scottish and naturally use UK terms as that’s what my mum taught me as a child. However the majority of my pattern customers and social media followers prefer US terms. For all my newer paid for patterns I provide a pdf written fully in both terms so customers can choose to print the pattern in their preferred terminology.
By the way I think it’s my favourite yet
That’s lovely to hear, thank you 😊
Hi, thanks for the lovely pattern. what is the long tail of the 1st round used for?
Hi Helen, I’m so pleased you like the pattern. The tail is for sewing together the 2 sides of the little arch it makes. Hope that makes sense?
Thanks Jan, yes it does 😊