Rainbow Flower Basket Hanger Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Rainbow Flower Basket Hanger is a small, cheerful project that turns a plain little pot into a piece of fairycore magic. It's designed for beginners who are comfortable with single crochet and are ready to try their first African flower motif — the petals are simply double crochet clusters separated by chain spaces, so there's nothing tricky hiding inside. The finished hanger looks like a shallow bowl with a flat red center and five stacked rings of petals in orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, topped with a purple rim and hung from three bright chain straps. Worked in worsted cotton, it feels sturdy but soft, holds a small pot securely, and adds a warm pop of autumn color to a window or porch.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) cotton yarn, approx. 100–120 yards total, in small amounts of 6 rainbow colors (approx. 15–20 yards each): A red, B orange, C yellow, D green, E blue, F purple.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (G-6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and a small pot (about 3–4 inches across) with a lightweight plant or faux plant.
• Finished size: Approx. 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) diameter and 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) tall, excluding straps; straps approx. 12 inches (30 cm) long.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring — an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a circle.
• sc: single crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sp: space (the gap made by a chain).
• st(s): stitch(es).
• inc: increase — work 2 sc in the same stitch.
• rnd: round.
• [ ]: repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times stated.

Gauge

16 sts and 16 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small flat swatch in sc and measure the middle of it; if you have more stitches than 16 in 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your starting magic ring snug — a loose center will let the pot wobble, so pull the tail firmly before working Round 2.
• The petal rounds are worked into the chain-1 spaces of the round below, not into stitches, so count your spaces as you go; each petal round should have 8 petals.
• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each single crochet round so you never lose your place in the 48-stitch rim.
• Cotton has little stretch, which is exactly what you want for a hanger — avoid substituting acrylic, which will sag under the weight of a pot.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Center (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring, join with sl st to first sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each st around, join (12 sts).

Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc, inc] x6, join (18 sts).

Rnd 4: Ch 1, [2 sc, inc] x6, join (24 sts).

Rnd 5: Ch 1, [3 sc, inc] x6, join (30 sts).

Rnd 6: Ch 1, [4 sc, inc] x6, join (36 sts).

Rnd 7: Ch 1, [5 sc, inc] x6, join (42 sts).

Rnd 8: Ch 1, [6 sc, inc] x6, join (48 sts). Fasten off A.

Petal Rounds (Colors B–F)

Petal Rnd 1 (B): Join B in any st. Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 1, 2 dc in next st, sl st in next st, [ch 1, 2 dc in next st, ch 1, 2 dc in next st, sl st in next st] rep around, join with sl st to first dc (8 petals).

Petal Rnd 2 (C): Join C in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st, [ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st] rep around, join (8 petals).

Petal Rnd 3 (D): Join D in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st, [ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st] rep around, join (8 petals).

Petal Rnd 4 (E): Join E in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st, [ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st] rep around, join (8 petals).

Petal Rnd 5 (F): Join F in any ch-1 sp. Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st, [ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, sl st in next sl st] rep around, join (8 petals).

Side Rim (Color F)

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp around, join (48 sc).

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (48 sc).

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join (48 sc). Fasten off F.

Straps (Make 3)

Strap 1 (A): Join A to any st on the last round. Ch 30, sl st to the opposite side of the bowl (approx. one-third of the way around), fasten off.

Strap 2 (B): Join B to the next evenly spaced st on the last round. Ch 30, sl st to the opposite side of the bowl, fasten off.

Strap 3 (C): Join C to the remaining evenly spaced st on the last round. Ch 30, sl st to the opposite side of the bowl, fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the bowl, running each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Gently shape the bowl with your fingers so the petal rounds sit evenly and the rim stands upright. Block lightly by misting with water and letting it dry over a small cup or bowl of similar size — do not stretch the straps. Once dry, gather the three straps together at the top and tie or knot them to your chosen hanging point, checking that the bowl hangs level before you trim any strap ends.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the rainbow for three autumn shades (rust, mustard, sage) for a more muted seasonal look.
• Add a fourth sc round to the rim for a deeper bowl that holds a slightly larger pot.
• Work the straps in half double crochet instead of chains for a softer, less stretchy hanger that grips the hook better.