This wall hanging pairs rich gold and deep purple in a single piece. Eight vertical strands alternate gold, purple, gold, purple, forming four color pairs across the width. Each strand is a chain of open, lantern-like bulbs and ends in a bulbous wrapped tassel.
A compact dark purple header band gathers the strands at the top, and the columns hang freely below it. The look is classic macramé: cord texture, wrapped knots and swinging fringe. The strands and header are crocheted, and the tassels use traditional wrapped and coiled macramé finishing.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished piece measures 14.5 in (36.8 cm) wide at the header and 27 in (68.6 cm) long from the top edge of the header to the tassel tips. The hanging loops are not included in that length.
You work the purple header band flat in rows. Then you crochet each of the 8 columns directly off the header’s bottom edge, so there is nothing to sew. A border and hanging loops finish the header’s top edge. The wrapped tassels go on last.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 14.5 in (36.8 cm) wide × 27 in (68.6 cm) long, excluding hanging loops
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: 3 mm single-twist cotton macramé cord (bulky-weight equivalent)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (US I-9)
- Number of pieces: 1 (header, columns and border are worked continuously; tassels are attached)
- Layout: 8 vertical columns in the order gold, purple, gold, purple, gold, purple, gold, purple
- Header size: 14 in (35.6 cm) × 1.5 in (3.8 cm)
- Column length: 16.75 in (42.5 cm), plus an 8.5 in (21.6 cm) tassel
- Size before border: 14 in (35.6 cm) wide
- Border depth: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on the top and sides of the header, plus hanging loops
Materials
Cord: Use 3 mm single-twist cotton macramé cord. Single twist crochets smoothly and brushes out into soft tassels. Avoid braided cord, because it will not fluff. Buy each color from one dye lot.
- Deep purple: approximately 500 g, 160 m (175 yd). This covers the header, border, 4 columns and 4 tassels.
- Gold: approximately 375 g, 120 m (131 yd). This covers 4 columns and 4 tassels.
Quantities include a margin of about 15% for swatching and tassel trimming.
Tools:
- 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Tapestry needle with a large eye
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Stitch markers
- Fine-tooth comb or pet brush for tassels
- Spray bottle and pins for blocking
- Wooden dowel, 18 in (45.7 cm) long and up to 0.5 in (1.3 cm) diameter, for display (optional)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- dtr – double treble crochet
- sk – skip
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
Special stitches:
- sc2tog: (Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop) twice, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook.
- sc3tog: (Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop) 3 times, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
- dtr: Yarn over 3 times, insert hook in st, yarn over, pull up a loop, then (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 4 times.
- Gathering knot (wrapped knot): A macramé wrap that binds a bundle of cords tightly. It is explained in the Tassels section.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 4 sc and 4 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm). A dtr row measures 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
Swatch 12 sc across for 8 rows. It should measure 3 in (7.6 cm) × 2 in (5.1 cm). After the swatch, test your gauge on real work: crochet the header, then the first column, and measure both before going further.
Checkpoints:
- Header: 14 in (35.6 cm) wide × 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
- Column rows 1–3: 0.75 in (1.9 cm).
- Each lantern unit: 2 in (5.1 cm).
- Finished column: 16.75 in (42.5 cm) below the header.
- After border: 14.5 in (36.8 cm) wide.
- Tassel: 8.5 in (21.6 cm).
- Total length: 27 in (68.6 cm).
If your work is too big, go down one hook size (5 mm). If it is too small, go up one size (6 mm). Cord thickness varies more than yarn, so recheck the header width after any hook change.
Header Band
Work with purple.
Foundation: Ch 57.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (56 sc)
Rows 2–6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (56 sc)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Checkpoint: The header measures 14 in (35.6 cm) × 1.5 in (3.8 cm). The 56 stitches divide into 8 columns of 7 sts each.
Place a marker in every 7th stitch of Row 6. This marks off the 8 column sections.
Columns
Hold the header with Row 6 at the top. You will crochet the columns upward from Row 6. When the piece hangs, they drop downward.
Work each column in its own color. Order the columns from right to left: gold, purple, gold, purple, gold, purple, gold, purple.
Column Opening
Row 1: With RS facing, join the column color in the first st of the section. Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each of the next 6 sts. (7 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc3tog, sc2tog. (3 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (3 sc)
Checkpoint: The column opening measures 0.75 in (1.9 cm) from the header.
Lantern Unit
The lantern unit is 3 rows. The dtr fan opens the bulb, the gather row closes it and the neck row separates it from the next bulb.
Row A (bulb): Ch 5 (counts as first dtr), turn, dtr in the same st, 3 dtr in the next st, 2 dtr in the last st. (7 dtr)
Row B (gather): Ch 1, turn, sc2tog over the first 2 sts, sc3tog over the next 3 sts, sc2tog over the last 2 sts. The top of the turning ch counts as the last st. (3 sc)
Row C (neck): Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (3 sc)
Each unit measures 2 in (5.1 cm). Each bulb measures about 1.75 in (4.4 cm) at its widest.
Work Rows A–C 8 times in total. Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. This tail becomes the core of the tassel head, so do not weave it in.
Checkpoint: After 4 units, the column measures 8.75 in (22.2 cm) from the header. When complete, it measures 16.75 in (42.5 cm): 0.75 in (1.9 cm) for the opening plus 16 in (40.6 cm) for the units.
Remaining Columns
Join the next color in the first st of the next 7-st section and repeat the Column Opening and 8 Lantern Units. Continue until all 8 columns are worked across the 56 header sts.
The math: 8 columns × 7 sts = 56 sts. Each column uses its own 7 stitches, and no header stitch is skipped or shared.
Border
The border uses the same gauge as the header: 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm). You work it along the header’s sides and its top edge, which is the foundation chain. The columns hang from Row 6 and are not touched.
Border Row 1: With purple, RS facing, join at the Row 6 end on the right side of the header.
- Right side: Work 6 sc up the side, 1 per row end. (6 sc)
- Top edge: Work 3 sc in the first foundation ch, 1 sc in each of the next 54 ch, and 3 sc in the last ch. (60 sc)
- Left side: Work 6 sc down the side, 1 per row end. (6 sc)
Total: 72 sc.
This is a conversion row. Each of the 56 foundation chs gets worked once (56 sts), and the 2 corner chs get 2 extra sts each (+4). That gives 56 + 4 = 60 sts across the top. Each side gets 6 sts, one per row. So the total is 60 + 6 + 6 = 72.
Border Row 2 (hanging loops): Ch 1, turn.
- Left side: Sl st in each of the 6 side sts.
- Top edge: Sc in the next 2 sts, [ch 8, sk 2, sc in the next 7 sts] 6 times, ch 8, sk 2, sc in the last 2 top sts.
- Right side: Sl st in each of the 6 side sts.
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Top count check: 2 + (6 × 9) + 2 + 2 = 60. Each repeat of 2 skipped plus 7 sc uses 9 sts, which totals 54. The final loop skips 2 more and is followed by 2 sc. The sides use 6 + 6 = 12 sl sts, so all 72 sts of Row 1 are used.
Why the math works: The top is worked one stitch per foundation chain, so the header does not ruffle or pull in. The corner increases let the border turn without cupping. The loop repeat divides the 60 top stitches evenly, so the 7 hanging loops spread the weight across the dowel.
Checkpoint: The header now measures 14.5 in (36.8 cm) wide. The border sc adds 0.25 in (0.6 cm) on each side, and the header stands 1.75 in (4.4 cm) tall.
Tassels
Each column ends in a bulbous, wrapped tassel in its own color.
Per tassel, cut:
- 12 pieces of cord, each 18 in (45.7 cm) long
- 1 wrapping piece, 36 in (91.4 cm) long
Attach the cords: Fold 4 pieces in half together. Pull the fold through the first st of the final neck row and pull the ends through the fold, making a lark’s head knot. Repeat in the remaining 2 sts. You now have 24 strands.
Coil the core: Coil the 10 in (25.4 cm) column tail into a small ball. Tuck it against the underside of the last neck row, inside the bundle of strands. This coil gives the head its rounded, bulbous shape.
Wrap the gathering knot:
- Smooth the strands down evenly around the coil.
- 1.5 in (3.8 cm) below the lark’s heads, lay the wrapping cord along the bundle with a 3 in (7.6 cm) loop pointing down.
- Wrap tightly upward over the loop 6 times, which covers about 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
- Thread the working end through the loop.
- Pull the top tail until the loop disappears under the wraps.
- Trim both wrapping tails flush and tuck them in.
Finish: Unravel the strands below the wrap and comb them out. Wait until after blocking to trim the tassel to 8.5 in (21.6 cm) from the last neck row.
Final Blocking
- Lay the hanging flat on a towel. Pin the header straight at 14.5 in (36.8 cm) wide.
- Straighten each column so the bulbs sit centered and evenly open.
- Mist the piece until it is damp but not soaked.
- Gently shape each bulb round with your fingers.
- Comb the tassels while they are damp.
- Let the piece dry completely flat. Then hang it from the dowel overnight so the columns settle.
- Trim all tassels to 8.5 in (21.6 cm) so their ends sit level.
- Measure the total length. It should be 27 in (68.6 cm).
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- Header measures 14.5 in (36.8 cm) wide with straight edges.
- There are 8 columns in alternating gold and purple.
- Each column has 8 lantern units.
- All columns measure 16.75 in (42.5 cm).
- All bulbs have 7 dtr and are similar in width.
- The 7 hanging loops are evenly spaced and the same size.
- Tassel wraps are tight with hidden tails.
- Tassel heads are round and similar in size.
- Tassel ends are level at 27 in (68.6 cm) total length.
- All ends are woven in except the coiled tassel cores.
Troubleshooting
Header is wider than 14 in (35.6 cm): Your stitches are too loose. Rework it with a smaller hook.
Columns are different lengths: Count your units. Then check that each dtr is fully worked off, with 4 “yarn over, pull through 2” steps.
Bulbs look flat: Tighten the gather row. You can also lengthen the dtr loops slightly so they bow outward.
Columns twist when hanging: Mist and block them flat again. You can also hang the piece with light weights clipped to the tassels.
Wrap slips down the tassel: Rewrap it more tightly. Make sure the loop is pulled fully under the wraps.
Tassel head is lopsided: Re-center the coiled core before wrapping.
Header curls: Block it with pins. Also check that border Row 1 was not worked too tightly.
Care
Spot clean with cool water and mild soap, then lay flat to dry. Brush the tassels gently to refresh them.
Final Notes
The measurements build on each other:
- Gauge: 4 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Header: 14 in (35.6 cm), split into 8 columns of 7 sts
- Columns: 16.75 in (42.5 cm) each, from a 0.75 in (1.9 cm) opening plus 8 units of 2 in (5.1 cm)
- Border: brings the width to 14.5 in (36.8 cm)
- Tassels: 8.5 in (21.6 cm)
- Total length: 0.25 in (0.6 cm) border + 1.5 in (3.8 cm) header + 16.75 in (42.5 cm) column + 8.5 in (21.6 cm) tassel = 27 in (68.6 cm)
Check each stage as you go, and the finished hanging will match the plan.
Optional: for a different look, you can swap in other color pairs. The stitch counts stay the same.
Happy crocheting!