Easy Hanging Crochet Lantern: Free Pattern and Step‑by‑Step Tutorial
This crochet lantern pattern is a simple, beginner‑friendly project that creates a beautiful hanging crochet lantern for your home.
Six easy panels are crocheted and joined to form the lantern shape, then finished with hanging chains and a tassel for a stylish DIY crochet lantern you can customise with any yarn and colour.
Table of Contents
- Project Overview
- Why You’ll Love This Hanging Crochet Lantern
- Finished Size & Panel Count
- Materials Needed
- Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)
- How the Lantern is Made –
- Step 4: Adding the Top Edge to your Lantern
- Step 5: Creating the Chains to Hang the Lantern
- Step 6 : Create the Hanging Cords
- Step 7: closing the bottom of the Lantern
- Step 8: Add the Tassel (optional)
- Care Instructions for Your Crochet Lantern
Project Overview
- Skill Level: Beginner – Friendly step by step tutorial and video to help you crochet your lantern
- Time to Make: 1–2 hours
- Yarn: DK acrylic or cotton
- Hook Size: 4mm (or size to match yarn)
- Construction: 6 panels + joining + edging + tassel
- Best For: Home décor, gifts (I gave the red one to my friend and she loves it) craft fairs- These would look awesome hanging in your craft tent! And bring curious buyers to your stall.
I have used several different colours and yarn types from acrylic to cotton, each one as pretty as the next.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
But I think my favourite is the RED one which was a DK yarn and 3.5mm hook. As I wanted a slightly smaller lantern.
Whether you want a creative project for your sunroom, a unique handmade gift, or a decorative piece to suit your space.
This super easy crochet lantern pattern is the perfect choice, and you can easily adjust the size by using different yarns or hooks
Why You’ll Love This Hanging Crochet Lantern
This hanging crochet lantern is one of those patterns that instantly adds character and warmth to any space — without being complicated. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, you’ll enjoy this project because it’s quick, relaxing, and beautifully decorative.
- Fast crochet home décor project — most makers finish it in under two hours
- Panels double as pretty coasters thanks to their decorative scalloped design
- Beginner‑friendly stitches (sc, dc, ch, sl st)
- Looks impressive but is super easy — the shape forms naturally as you join the panels
- Works in any yarn or colour combination
- Makes a unique handmade gift or hanging accent for bedrooms, nurseries, hallways, or craft rooms
This is the perfect pattern if you want a simple crochet lantern that looks intricate, hangs beautifully, and adds a soft, cosy touch to your home.
Finished Size & Panel Count
You will make 6 identical panels to create one hanging crochet lantern. Once joined, the lantern forms a rounded shape with a small opening at the top and a pointed base for attaching the tassel.
Finished Size (using DK yarn + 4mm hook):
- Height (without tassel): 14–16 cm
- Width at widest point: 10–12 cm
- Tassel length: 8–10 cm (optional)
Gauge: Gauge is not critical for this project. Your lantern may be slightly larger or smaller depending on yarn thickness and tension — and that’s perfectly fine.
Yarn Substitutions:
- DK yarn gives a soft, delicate lantern
- Worsted/Aran yarn creates a larger, sturdier lantern
- Cotton yarn gives crisp stitch definition
- Acrylic yarn gives a softer drape
Materials Needed
To make your own DIY crochet lantern, you’ll need:
- Yarn: <125 grms of Double Knit (DK) yarn (or DK cotton held double for a Larger size).
- Hook: 4.00 mm hook (or 3.5 mm if holding cotton double).
- Yarn needle & scissors for finishing.
- Optional tassel for the bottom.
Finished Size: Using DK and a 4 mm hook → about 7.5″ x 7.5″ before tassel and ties.
Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- ch – chain
- V st = (dc, ch 1, dc) ALL in same space of the previous rounds Ch1
- 2V st = (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) ALL in same space of the previous rounds Ch1
- 3V st = (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) ALL in same space of the previous rounds Ch1
- 4V st = (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) ALL in same space of the previous rounds Ch1
How the Lantern is Made –
The construction is simple and fun:
- Crochet 6 matching panels.
- Sew them together,m using just the Dc V sts (Think TACOS standing side by side, touching sides of each are then sewn together, then the LAST and the FIRST are sewn into a tube.)
- Close the bottom with single crochet.
- Add edging at the top.
- Create 3 equal hanging chains.
- Finish with a tassel if desired.
Step 1: Crochet the Panels
- You’ll make several scalloped panels using shell stitches.
- These create the beautiful petal‑like texture that gives the lantern its shape. Using double crochet Shell Stitches, and working the next shells into the previous round ch1 space,
- The LAST round has a slight change to it.
- Each panel is worked individually, then joined together to form the rounded lantern body.
Round 1: Ch 4, work 12 dc into the first chain. Sl st to join. (12 sts)
Round 2: Ch 4, 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to join. (24 sts)
Round 3: Ch 5 (counts as dc + ch 1), dc in same st. Skip 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st. Repeat around. Sl st to join. (12 V sts)
From now on, start each round by slip stitching into the first ch-1 space.
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same space, ch 1, 2 dc in same space (first 2V st). (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 space. Repeat around. Join with sl st. (12 2V sts)
Round 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 1, 3 dc in same space (first 3V st). (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 space. Repeat around. Join with sl st. (12 3V sts)
Round 6: Ch 3, 3 dc in same space, ch 1, 4 dc in same space. Ch 2, sc in ch-1 sp of previous round, ch 2, (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) in next ch-1 space. Repeat 4 times. Ch 2, sc in next ch-1 space, ch 2. (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 space. Repeat to end. Join with sl st. (10 x 4V sts, 2 x ch-2, sc, ch-2 spaces)
Make 6 panels total.
Step 2. Join the Panels
- Use the image for a guide. Place Stitch markers at the LAST and FIRST double crochets before the ( Ch2, sc, ch2)
- Arrange all 2 panels with the right sides facing up. (5 SHELLS touching
- Using a yarn needle or slip‑stitch join, connect the panels neatly along their SHELL edges. (BLUE LINES shown BELOW)
- DO NOT SEW THE TOP OR BOTTOM (Ch2, sc, Ch2) of each panel, (However you WILL single crochet into these later on! )
Continue Around the Lantern
Repeat the same process: (TIP: Think TACOS lined up Right side showing outwards)
- Sew Panel 2 to Panel 3
- Sew Panel 3 to Panel 4
- Sew Panel 4 to Panel 5
- Sew Panel 5 to Panel 6
You’ll now have a long strip of joined panels.
Step 3: Create a Circle
Bring Panel 6 and Panel 1 together and sew their side edges.
This forms the lantern tube.
Step 4: Adding the Top Edge to your Lantern
Join yarn at the top of the Lantern in any chain st, Sc in each (ch-2, sc, ch-2) space. (30 sts)Work 4 rounds of sc in back loops only (BLO). Sl st to join, fasten off.
Step 5: Creating the Chains to Hang the Lantern
Step 6 : Create the Hanging Cords
Make four braided or chained cords and secure them evenly around the top ring. Crossing them over each other at the top to form the hanging loop.
- Join yarn behind any sc post at the first stitch of the top rounds, slip stitch up to the TOP of the Lanterns edging, and then Ch 50, sl st to the opposite side and slip stitch down to finish.
- Repeat once or twice more, spacing the chains evenly so the lantern hangs balanced.
Step 7: closing the bottom of the Lantern
Join yarn at bottom edge. And working exaclty as the tops first round
Sc in each (ch-2, sc, ch-2) space around. (30 sts)
Next round(s) : just continue working sc2tog around until 6 sts remain. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Step 8: Add the Tassel (optional)
Finish your lantern with a tassel made from matching yarn. Attach it securely to the bottom using a small crocheted bead or knot.
Care Instructions for Your Crochet Lantern
Because this lantern is a decorative hanging piece, it doesn’t need heavy washing — just a little gentle care to keep it looking beautiful.
- Spot clean only: Use a damp cloth to gently wipe any marks.
- Avoid machine washing: The panels may lose their shape.
- Keep away from moisture: Best displayed indoors in a dry area.
- Steam lightly to reshape: Hold a steamer or iron (on steam setting) a few inches away to refresh the scallops.
- Dust occasionally: A soft brush or lint roller works well.
- Store flat: If packing away, lay the lantern flat to prevent stretching.
These simple steps help your lantern keep its shape, colour, and stitch definition for years.
Why Are My Panels Not Curving? (Think of TACOS!)
If your lantern panels are sitting flat instead of curving into that lovely rounded shape, imagine them like tacos standing side‑by‑side. Each panel is a taco shell — and when you line up six taco shells and join their edges, they naturally curve into a tube.
If yours aren’t curving, here’s why:
1. Your “taco shells” are too stiff
Your tension may be tight, making the panels rigid. ➡️ Fix: Lightly steam block each panel so the scallops relax and soften.
2. Your tacos aren’t standing close enough together
If the side edges aren’t sewn evenly, the panels won’t pull into a curve. ➡️ Fix: Make sure each scallop edge is matched neatly to its partner.
3. You’ve accidentally sewed the top closed
The top ch‑2, sc, ch‑2 spaces must stay open; otherwise, each panel can’t curve inwards. Fix: Only sew the long side edges. Leave the top spaces unjoined.
4. Your yarn is too thick for the hook
A tight hook‑to‑yarn combo makes “taco shells” too firm. Fix: Try going up half a hook size.
5. You haven’t joined all six Panels yet
The curve only appears once all six panels are joined into a tube. Fix: Complete the full circle the shape forms at the very end.
Ready to make even more Hanging Ornaments or fun Room Decor
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Excelente son diseños hermosos 😍 gracias por compartir.
Hi, I started making these but I’m a bit confuse how to join the panels together to make the tube. Any other guidance you can provide please? 🥺
I am currently making a video of how to put the sides together to make the tube