Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging (right)

The Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging is an easy, beginner friendly Intarsia crochet piece that brightens any room. Also, it is part of a series of mini wall hangings coming to the blog this Spring. Since this wall hanging is smaller, it can easily be added to any existing gallery wall, or placed in a smaller space. Keep reading to discover the inspiration behind this crochet pattern!

Are you looking for the left side Rainbow Wall Hanging? There is a whole other free pattern for that one! Click here to crochet the Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging (left).

Inspiration for the Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging

This spring, I wanted to create a series of mini wall hangings that would look fantastic together, but also gorgeous on their own. So, the Spring Mini Wall Hanging Series was created!

The Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging is the third crochet pattern in the Spring Mini Wall Hanging Series. So, How do you find a pot of gold? At the end of a rainbow! Therefore, the inspiration comes from capturing March’s magic and decorating your home with it — just in time for St Patrick’s Day.

Complete your Spring Mini Wall Hanging Series with the patterns below.

Design

The Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging is considered an Intarsia crochet piece. Intarsia crochet means creating a picture in the fabric with using different colors of yarn. So, it’s a fancy word for colorwork. In other words, I like to think of Intarsia crochet as creating a mosaic with yarn. In this pattern, you will learn the beautiful work of trapping the floats vs. carrying non-working yarn, how to change colors correctly, and how to attach a dowel (or stick) to a wall hanging.

Here, in this blog post, you will find only the written directions for this Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging. However, I do have an inexpensive PDF for purchase in my Ravelry and Etsy Shops that includes a color chart.

Yarn + Substitutes

For the Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging, you will need any Super Bulky (category 6) weight yarn. The super bulky yarn speeds up the time it takes to complete this project. Also, I love the texture and depth of the chunky fabric against a flat surface.

This wall hanging uses Yarn Bee True Colors from Hobby Lobby. However, Lion Brand Hometown or Wool Ease Thick and Quick would be great substitutes for a similar yarn, and color options. Regardless, whenever you change yarn, check your gauge!

But, I highly discourage using a smaller weight yarn. The image may not be quite as crisp using a smaller yarn. However, you are the yarn artist! Work your gauge, and experiment with any size of yarn to your heart’s content.

Finished Size

This finished wall hanging (before and after blocking) is 5″ wide & 6.5″ tall. Making it ideal for small spaces, or a filler on a gallery wall.

Now, a note about gauge. Some crochet designers may say that “gauge doesn’t matter with a wall hanging, because it’s not a garment.” They’re not wrong, but also not completely correct.

So, If you’re expecting your finished wall hanging to be close to the same size as the pattern — check your gauge!

Because, after the gauge, you will know how to adjust the hook size, or the very least be prepared for a different sized wall hanging from the pattern. If you don’t care much about the size outcome of the pattern — you can skip the gauge. The choice is yours! Isn’t art fun?!

PATTERN

Get the AD-free, printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE
Save this pattern to your favorite board on Pinterest HERE
Add this pattern to your Ravelry que HERE

Description

The Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging is an easy, beginner friendly Intarsia crochet piece that brightens any room. Also, it is one of four mini wall hanging patterns to release Spring 2021 that look lovely hung next to each other. This wall hanging is perfect for Spring, St. Patrick’s Day, or in a child’s room.

Materials

Yarn – Yarn Bee True Colors, bulky/category 6 (5oz, 76yds), 100% acrylic
You need 4 different colors to complete this individual wall hanging. The yardage needed per color as follows…
MC (Ivory) – 12yds/11m
CC1 (Light Blue) – 9yds/8m
CC2 (Pink) – 12yds/11m
CC3 (Purple) – 5yds/5m

Yarn Substitutes : Any other bulky (category 6) yarn will work. I suggest trying Lion Brand’s Hometown yarn for the closest feel. If changing the yarn, be sure to check gauge.

Crochet Hook – 8.00mm or correct hook to meet gauge

Scissors

Tapestry Needle

Measuring Tape

6” Dowel Rod (3/8″ diameter), or a stick from the backyard
If you cannot find a 6″ dowel, you can cut a 12″ dowel in half. Use the second half to make another mini wall hanging, Do not cut the dowel in half until you finished the wall hanging, and make sure the wall hanging will fit on the 6″ dowel. Use your judgement to cut the dowel to your desired width.

Extra piece of yarn, twine, or crochet thread for hanging

Notes

Check your gauge! Although, it’s not terribly important (we’re not making a garment here), but it is important if you want your hanging to be the same size as the pattern.

Color Changes. When you come to a color change (such as MC to CC1), finish the last loop of the MC stitch in the CC1. Then, continue to crochet X amount of stitches in the CC1. If you need more help with changing colors seamlessly, see the link to the photo tutorial in the Tutorials section.

Always pull the non-working yarn to the BACK of your work. This will keep the wall hanging nice and tidy on the display side (right side).

Chain 1 at the end of a row DOES NOT count as a stitch.

Untangle the working yarn as you go. Once you begin the colorwork rows, the yarn skeins/balls will become tangled by the end of the wall hanging. I suggest straightening out the unused yarn every other row (or before it starts to drive you bonkers).

Block the wall hanging before attaching it to the dowel. This will relax the stitches and create clean, crisp lines. If you use a synthetic yarn (acrylic, polyester), be sure to steam block. If you choose a natural yarn (cotton, wool), use a wet blocking method. Let your work rest for 24 hours, or until it’s dry.

Trapping the Floats v. Carrying the Non-Working Yarn
I suggest trapping the floats rather than carrying the non-working yarn under the working stitches. How to Trap the Floats – every 1″ (or every 3-4 stitches) crochet over the non-working yarn for 1 stitch. Keep the non-working yarn a little loose, or the edges may shrink.

Gauge

9 STS x 9 Rows = 4″ x 4″ square
Use the Single Crochet to create the gauge swatch.

Finished Size
5″ width & 6.5″ height (before, and after, blocking)

Stitch Abbreviations

American (US) terms used throughout.

CH – chain
SC – single crochet
ST(S) – stitch(es)
MC – Main Color (Ivory)
CC1 – Contrasting Color 1 (Light Blue)
CC2 – Contrasting Color 2 (Pink)
CC3 – Contrasting Color 3 (Purple)

Tutorials

How to Change Colors Seamlessly
Photo Tutorial

Pattern Instructions

A color work chart is included in the inexpensive, ad-free PDF. You can purchase the PDF from my Ravelry or Etsy Shops.

CH 12 in MC.

Row 1: In 2nd CH from the hook SC 1, (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 2, (CC3) SC 2, (MC) SC 4. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 2: (MC) SC 4, (CC3) SC 2, (CC2) SC 2, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 3: (MC) SC 1, (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 2, (CC3) SC 2, (MC) SC 4. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 4: (MC) SC 4, (CC3) SC 2, (CC2) SC 2, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 5: (MC) SC 1, (CC1) SC 2, (CC2) SC 2, (CC3) SC 3, (MC) SC 3. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 6: (MC) SC 2, (CC3) SC 3, (CC2) SC 3, (CC1) SC 2, (MC) SC 1. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 7: (MC) SC 1, (CC1) SC 3, (CC2) SC 3, (CC3) SC 3, (MC) SC 1. (CC3) CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

*Cut the MC yarn, and leave at least a 6″ tail to weave once the wall hanging in finished.*

Row 8: (CC3) SC 3, (CC2) SC 3, (CC1) SC 3, (MC) SC 2. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 9: (MC) SC 3, (CC1) SC 3, (CC2) SC 3, (CC3) SC 2. (CC2) CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

*Cut the CC3 yarn, and leave at least a 6″ tail to weave once the wall hanging in finished.*

Row 10: (CC2) SC 4, (CC1) SC 3, (MC) SC 4. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 11: (MC) SC 5, (CC1) SC 3, (CC2) SC 3. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 12: (CC2) SC 2, (CC1) SC 3, (MC) SC 6. CH 1. Turn (11 STS) *Cut the CC2 yarn, and leave at least a 6″ tail to weave once the wall hanging in finished.*

Row 13: (MC) SC 7, (CC1) SC 4. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Row 14: (CC1) SC 3, (MC) SC 8. CH 1. Turn (11 STS) *Cut the CC1 yarn, and leave at least a 6″ tail to weave once the wall hanging in finished.*

Row 15: (MC) SC 11. CH 1. Turn (11 STS)

Fasten off and weave in the ends. Block the wall hanging to crisp up the edges, and define the corners, before attaching it to the dowel.

Adding the Dowel to the Mini Rainbow Wall Hanging

First, flip your work over so that the wrong side (wall side) is facing you. We will be using the slip stitch to attach the hanging to the dowel, because I would rather use my hook than a needle any chance I get. Sewing the dowel on is certainly an alternative to the slip stitch!

Secondly, make a slip knot with the yarn attaching the wall hanging to the dowel, and insert the hook. Begin to slip stitch in each stitch across the top of the wall hanging. Be careful to wrap the yarn AROUND the dowel in each stitch! Fasten off and weave in ends.

Last, cut a long piece of crochet thread (yarn or twine) to hang the piece from the wall. Securely tie it onto the dowel on either side of the fabric, and trim an excess crochet thread. Now, it’s ready to hang!