Inside – What’s the best way to celebrate a baby? With a new crocheted rainbow wall hanging. Learn how to make the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging with the free crochet pattern below.
What does “hope” look like for you? Is it the surety of flowers that come after Spring rains? The faith that fruit will grow if you tend your vegetable garden? Or the simply banner of a rainbow scaling the sky immediately after the rainstorm?
The Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging is the banner of hope to hang every day. It is the reminder that you have better days than this one, and that better days will still come. Just like flowers that the bloom after the Spring rains.
Disclaimer – This blog post talks about miscarriage, and my personal story. If you are not in the place to read about miscarriage, then scroll down to the free pattern. Just know, that I see you.
Rainbows of Hope
The first time I heard the term “rainbow baby” was during a desperate scroll of Google MD, searching for any reason why my body didn’t hold onto the life inside it. A rainbow baby is the baby born after a miscarriage. That’s the day I began to yearn for a rainbow baby. But just like a rainbow, it felt ungraspable. How am I supposed to hold something intangible, like a rainbow, or a small hope, in my hands?
Both of my living children are rainbow babies. In 2014, I lost my first and second babies to miscarriage. Then, another child slipped away in early May 2018. The Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging honors not only my children, but all the children lost through a miscarriage.
To the woman who recently tread the path of miscarriage – you are not alone. I see you. I feel what you’re feeling. You are not alone. If you need someone to talk to about your experience, you can send me an email at any time. 🧡
Design for the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging
Bits and pieces of the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging skipped through my mind for the last year. Gathering those ideas, and working them out in yarn, took longer than expected. The timing wasn’t quite right – between packing up our life in Oklahoma, and planting a new one in Idaho – the time for designing this pattern didn’t fit.
Thankfully, the right time came this spring! This beautiful, boho wall hanging fits into our new lifestyle in Idaho. Our time in Oklahoma was difficult. (That’s a story for another day.) Moving to Idaho is nothing short of a blessing. Displaying this wall hanging in my Idaho Home is a reminder that better days will come. Let the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging be the banner in your home as a declaration that hope still lives. Better days will come.
Crossed Double Crochet + Semi Circle
The main stitch to this pattern is the Crossed Double Crochet. This is a fun, textured stitch that will quickly hook you! Each row of Crossed Double Crochet is a different color. This is where you can start to customize, and use up that yarn stash, to fit your home. The colors I picked were leftover from designing the Vintage Fall Crochet Scarf.
After you learn the Crossed Double Crochet Stitch, this pattern also teaches you how to crochet a semi circle. Now, there are different ways to crochet a semi circle. This pattern uses every other row to increase the semi circle. Hint – you’ll only increase on the Single Crochet rows!
Ready to stitch up the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging? Scroll down for the free pattern, or purchase an ad-free, premium PDF, in my Ravelry Store or Etsy Shop.
Yarn + Substitutes for the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging
This pattern uses my favorite acrylic yarn on the market – Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky. It’s a bulky weight (category 5) yarn that is the softest acrylic out there. Bonus – it comes in an amazing color palette. Shop the whole range of colors here.
If you need to substitute yarn, then I suggest sticking with an acrylic yarn in a bulky weight (category 5). One of my testers used Lion Brand Hue and Me, and it turned out perfectly! Shop the colors here.
Do you want to add a personal touch to this wall hanging? Crochet it in the birthstone colors of the mom and new baby. You could even include the birthstone colors of any angel babies (babies lost through miscarriage).
Pattern Instructions
NOTE ABOUT THIS FREE CROCHET PATTERN :
Thank you for choosing this free pattern as part of your crochet journey! It’s an honor for you to be here, browsing the High Desert Yarn Blog. This pattern is 100% free for you to crochet from, but please, do not screenshot, or copy+paste this pattern. However, work directly from this webpage. The ad revenue from this website allows me to offer free crochet patterns. If you do not like the scrolling, or ads, then you may purchase the ad-free PDF in my Ravelry Store or Etsy Shop. Thank you for your cooperation. Happy creating! -Joanna (Owner + Creative)
Materials
- Yarn – Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky, bulky (category 5) weight, 100% acrylic
- You will need 3 colors, approximate yardage as follows,
- Cream (MC) = 45 yds
- Peach (CC1) = 18 yds
- Sage (CC2) = 30 yds
- You will need 3 colors, approximate yardage as follows,
- Crochet Hook – K/10.5 (6.50mm)
- Dowel Rod – 12” long, ¾” diameter
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Extra piece of yarn, crochet thread or twine to hang
Notes
Experience Level = Advanced Beginner. You will need to have an understanding of the Single Crochet, Double Crochet, and Crossed Double Crochet stitches prior to starting this pattern.
Check your gauge! This is important if you want your wall hanging to be the same size as the pattern. If you need help with gauge, please email Joanna at hello@highdesertyarn.com
CH 1 at the beginning of a row DOES NOT count as a stitch.
CH 3 at the beginning of a row DOES count as a stitch.
This pattern is worked in turning rows.
- Each row of SC and Row 2 of XDC is an increasing row. Then after Row 2, each row of XDC will not be an increasing row.
- Odd numbered rows are the Right Side of the work.
- Even numbered rows are the Wrong Side of the work.
Gauge
12 STS x 9 Rows = 4×4”
- Gauge is worked in alternating rows of SC and XDC starting with a SC row.
- Gauge is measured before blocking.
- See Special Stitches on how to work the XDC.
Finished Size
10.5” W x 10.5” H (without fringe)
Custom Sizing
- Length – Begin your starting chain of any length in the multiple of 2 STS.
- Width – Add or subtract rows, but end with a SC row.
Stitch Abbreviations
American (US) terms used throughout.
CH(s) – chain(s)
SC – single crochet
SC INC – single crochet increase (2 SCs in 1 ST)
DC – double crochet
DC INC – double crochet increase (2 DCs in 1 ST)
XDC – crossed double crochet
SK – skip
ST(s) – stitch(es)
MC – main color (cream)
CC1 – contrasting color 1 (peach)
CC2 – contrasting color 2 (sage)
Special Stitches
Crossed Double Crochet
- This stitch is created by skipping a stitch, placing a DC in next ST and then crossing over the DC to work a DC in the skipped stitch.
- Each XDC is equal to 2 DCs.
Written Instructions
In MC, CH 20.
Row 1: SC in the 2nd CH from the hook. SC in the next 17 CHs. 6 SC in the last CH. Continue to crochet along the back side of the chain. SC in the next 18 STS. Change to CC1. Turn. (42 STS)
Row 2: CH 3. SK 1st ST. XDC 9 times. DC INC 4 times. XDC 9 times. DC in the last ST. Change to MC. Turn. (46 STS)
Row 3: CH 1. SC in 21 STS. SC INC 4 times. SC in 21 STS. Change to CC2. Turn. (50 STS)
Row 4: CH 3. SK 1st ST. XDC 24 times. DC in the last ST. Change to MC. Turn. (50 STS)
Row 5: CH 1. SC in 19 STS. [SC INC. SC.] Rep […] 5 times. SC in 19 STS. Continue in MC. Turn. (56 STS)
Row 6: CH 3. SK 1st ST. XDC 27 times. DC in the last ST. Continue in MC. Turn. (56 STS)
Row 7: CH 1. SC in 19 STS. [SC INC. SC in next 2 STS.] Rep […] 5 times. SC in 19 STS. Change to CC1. Turn. (62 STS)
Row 8: CH 3. SK 1st ST. XDC 30 times. DC in the last ST. Change to MC. Turn. (62 STS)
Row 9: CH 1. SC in 19 STS. [SC INC. SC in next 3 STS.] Rep […] 5 times. SC in 19 STS. Change to CC2. Turn. (68 STS)
Row 10: CH 3. SK 1st ST. XDC 33 times. DC in the last ST. Change to MC. Turn. (68 STS)
Row 11: CH 1. SC in 19 STS. [SC INC. SC in next 4 STS.] Rep […] 5 times. SC in 19 STS. (74 STS)
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
Finishing the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging
Adding the Dowel
Lay the wall hanging wrong side up. Place dowel along Row 9, and sew onto wall hanging with desired yarn or crochet thread.
Adding Fringe (optional)
If you need guidance on adding fringe to the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging, here is a tutorial on the High Desert Yarn Blog.
Adding Extra Yarn/Twine for Hanging
Cut a length of yarn 1-2ft long, or as long as you’d like the wall hanging to hang. Tie each end of the yarn to each end of the dowel. Trim off any remaining yarn ends, and hang!
Copyright Policy
You are free to use this crochet pattern to make and sell the final product, but do not republish or distribute this pattern in any way. DO NOT claim it as your own in part or in whole. Please give credit to High Desert Yarn, as the designer, in your listings, on your blog, or social media platforms. All images are property of High Desert Yarn. Do not use any of these images as your own.
Do you want more boho, desert inspired crochet patterns like the Sage Rainbow Wall Hanging?
Check out the Wheat Heart Wall Hanging!
High Desert Yarn is made possible by YOUR support. Thank you for reading this blog post, and helping build High Desert Yarn. Happy Creating, Joanna
Oh my! I just have to say how blessed I am by this blog post. Your story touches me deeply. I also lost a baby…so many years ago, at 25 weeks. I have a beautiful rainbow baby, Rebecca, my middle daughter. I’m currently completing a blanket for her rainbow baby, due any minute. I finished a blanket a few weeks ago for my oldest grandson, Austin, and his wife, Laken, for their rainbow baby. Cade is due in a few weeks.
Rebecca and Laken were pregnant together and lost their babes within a few days of each other. Both tried again about the same time without the other knowing. Both of these pregnancies have gone perfectly. Thank God.
I’m so thankful that you were able to deliver 2 amazing (I’m sure) rainbow babies.
Your post and your design touch my heart in the deepest places. Now I’ll be making one of these for each of my rainbow grands. Bless you for sharing and reaching out to others. In my day, there was very little talk of such things and definitely no word to help with the win of the next child.
Blessings,
Terijr 🌈
Teri, thank you for sharing your story with me. <3 It is filled with so much hope and joy, despite the losses.
It's not something I talk about often, but I remember feeling so alone when I lost my first. I didn't even know miscarriage was common until I experienced it. In case someone stumbles upon this pattern, at the right time, I hope they won't feel so alone.
Thanking God for all the rainbow babies in our lives today.
Take care,
Joanna