I’ve rustled up a cute, and best of all, free rainbow crochet pattern with clouds. Perfect to hang in your windows to cheer up passersby during lock-down and a fab way to spread some love and support for our amazing NHS and care workers.
Well, hasn’t life changed? In such a short space of time we find ourselves ensconced in our homes and separated from friends and family. As we slowly adjust to the new way of things its giving us all a chance to work out what is really important not only in our own lives but society as a whole. One thing that it so obviously clear to us currently is key workers; care staff, nurses, doctors, supermarket staff and delivery people. People who often earn very little are risking themselves and families to provide us with healthcare, food and stuff in the post. I don’t think we can ever thank them enough!
So, to show a little thanks and to spread a little love, hope and support in rather dark and scary times, I’ve designed a crochet rainbow to add to the many already out there!
Click here to skip to the pattern in UK crochet terms
Click here to skip to the pattern in US crochet terms
I’ve used Cascade 200 which is a worsted / aran weight yarn so if you don’t have Cascade to hand use any worsted or aran weight yarn. I’ve used a 5mm (H) size hook but you can use whatever hook suits the yarn you intend to use. You’ll only need a little bit of yarn of each colour:
- Colour A – Pink
- Colour B – Purple
- Colour C – Blue
- Colour D – Green
- Colour E – Yellow
- Colour F – Orange
- Colour G – Red
- Colour H – White
Free Rainbow Crochet Pattern in UK crochet terms
Abbreviations
slst = Slip stitch
st / sts = Stitch / Stitches
ch = Chain
ch sp = Chain space
dc = Double Crochet
htr = Half Treble Crochet
tr = Treble Crochet
[ ] = Repeat instructions within brackets the stated number of times
Rainbow
Foundation Row: With colour A, 12ch.
Row 1: 2tr in 4th ch from hook, [1tr in next ch, 2tr in next ch] 3 times in total, 1tr in next ch, 3tr in last ch, end colour A, do not turn.
Row 2: Join colour B in 12th ch of foundation row, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in same place, [1tr in next 2 sts, 2tr in next st] 3 times in total, end colour B, do not turn.
Row 3: Join colour C in 1st st of last row, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in same place, 1tr in next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next 3 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 2tr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next 3 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 2tr in last st, end colour C, do not turn.
Row 4: Join colour D in 1st st of last row, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in same place, 1tr in next st, [2tr in next st, 1tr in next 4 sts] 5 times in total, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 2tr in last st, end colour D, do not turn.
Row 5: Join colour E in 1st st of last row, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in same place, [1tr in 5 sts, 2tr in next st] 3 times in total, [2tr in next st, 1tr in next 5 st] 3 times in total, 2tr in last st, end colour E, do not turn.
Row 6: Join colour F in 1st st of last row, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in same place, 1tr in next 4 sts, [2tr in next st, 1tr in next 6 sts] 5 times in total, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next 4 sts, 2tr in last st, end colour F, do not turn.
Row 7: Join colour G in 1st st of last row, 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in same place, 1tr in each st to last, 2tr in last st, end colour G.
Sew in all ends.
You can block the rainbow to ensure a neater shape. If your rainbow is a little floppy try slipping some cocktail sticks (or similar) through the backs of stitches on the back of your work.
Clouds – make 2
Clouds are worked in a spiral so there are no starting chains needed at the start of each row. Place a removable stitch marker in the first st you make on each round to mark where the round starts.
Foundation Row: With colour H, 10ch.
Row 1: 1dc in 2nd ch from hook and next 7 ch, 3dc in next ch, rotate to work along the other side of the foundation row, 6tr in next ch, skip 2 ch, (slst, 2ch, 1tr, 2ch, slst) in next ch, skip 2 ch, 6tr in next ch, 2dc in last ch.
Row 2: 1dc in next st and place marker, 1dc in next 8 sts, 2dc in next 5 sts, 1dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 3tr in 2chsp, 3tr in tr, 3tr in 2chsp, skip 2 sts, 1dc in next st, 2dc in next 5 sts.
Row 3: Removing marker work 1dc in next st, place marker in the st just made, 1dc in next 9 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next st] 4 times in total, slst in next 2 sts, skip 1 st, 2htr in next 7 sts, skip 1 st, slst in next 2 sts, [1dc in next st, 2dc in next st] 4 times in total, 1dc in next st, remove marker and work slst into next st, end colour H.
Sew in all ends then sew the clouds to the rainbow.
Free Rainbow Crochet Pattern in US crochet terms
Abbreviations
slst = Slip stitch
st / sts = Stitch / Stitches
ch = Chain
ch sp = Chain space
sc = Single Crochet
hdc = Half Double Crochet
dc = Double Crochet
[ ] = Repeat instructions within brackets the stated number of times
Rainbow
Foundation Row: With color A, ch 12.
Row 1: 2dc in 4th ch from hook, [1dc in next ch, 2dc in next ch] 3 times in total, 1dc in next ch, 3dc in last ch, end color A, do not turn.
Row 2: Join color B in 12th ch of foundation row, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc in same place, [1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st] 3 times in total, end color B, do not turn.
Row 3: Join color C in 1st st of last row, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc in same place, 1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in last st, end color C, do not turn.
Row 4: Join color D in 1st st of last row, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc in same place, 1dc in next st, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts] 5 times in total, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 2dc in last st, end color D, do not turn.
Row 5: Join color E in 1st st of last row, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc in same place, [1dc in 5 sts, 2dc in next st] 3 times in total, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 st] 3 times in total, 2dc in last st, end color E, do not turn.
Row 6: Join color F in 1st st of last row, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc in same place, 1dc in next 4 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next 6 sts] 5 times in total, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in last st, end color F, do not turn.
Row 7: Join color G in 1st st of last row, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc in same place, 1dc in each st to last, 2dc in last st, end color G.
Sew in all ends.
Clouds – make 2
Clouds are worked in a spiral so there are no starting chains needed at the start of each row. Place a removable stitch marker in the first st you make on each round to mark where the round starts.
Foundation Row: With color H, 10ch.
Row 1: 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 7 ch, 3sc in next ch, rotate to work along the other side of the foundation row, 6dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, (slst, ch 2, 1dc, ch 2, slst) in next ch, skip 2 ch, 6dc in next ch, 2sc in last ch.
Row 2: 1sc in next st and place marker, 1sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next 5 sts, 1sc in next st, skip 2 sts, 3dc in ch2sp, 3dc in dc, 3dc in ch2sp, skip 2 sts, 1sc in next st, 2sc in next 5 sts.
Row 3: Removing marker work 1sc in next st, place marker in the st just made, 1sc in next 9 sts, [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] 4 times in total, slst in next 2 sts, skip 1 st, 2hdc in next 7 sts, skip 1 st, slst in next 2 sts, [1sc in next st, 2sc in next st] 4 times in total, 1sc in next st, remove marker and work slst into next st, end color H.
Sew in all ends.
You can block the rainbow to ensure a neater shape. If your rainbow is floppy try slipping some cocktail sticks (or similar) through the back of your work. Once you’ve blocked you can then sew the clouds on to the rainbow.
PDF Version
You can download a free PDF version of the pattern in my Ravelry store here in both UK and US crochet terms.
I hope you enjoy my free rainbow crochet pattern and are keeping both sane and healthy. Spread a little hope and love by sharing your makes online with #nhsrainbow.
Happy Hooking and Stay Safe!
