crochet tutorial – PipsRainbow

Hello all, hope you are all staying home and staying safe. Feels like we have been in lockdown for a long time now. Days definitely seem to be flying by – never a dull moment in our house!
So I thought I would make these little face mask attachments to help our NHS Heroes. I know they are all struggling with sore ears when they are wearing face masks for so many hours a day.

Now I’ve have seen that people have been making them, so thought we need a few rainbow ones in the mix. Thought it would help them know how much we are thinking of them & appreciate how hard they are working! So here is my pattern for a rainbow and a plain coloured face mask attachment, if you want a simpler one to make up. Hope you like the pattern. Once you have made a few, you just need to deliver them to someone you know that works in the NHS and they can distribute them accordingly. Even if you only make a couple, it will help someone. You just need to remember to use cotton yarn so that they can be washed at high temperatures with their uniform and make sure the buttons are attached securely.
Any problems just give me a shout.

Level – Easy

Supplies –

So these little mask attachments only use about 5g of yarn. I have used a 4mm crochet hook and some Double Knit Cotton yarn. (It must be cotton so that the attacher can be washed with their uniform at a high temperature.) You will also need some scissors, blunt ended needle and 2 buttons with thread to sew the buttons on.

Stitches –

Slip Stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. So insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. So yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain stitch (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Slip Knot – Fold over the yarn to make the loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull so that the knot tightens, but you still have a loop. Then insert your hook and pull the tail tight to create a slip knot.

Double Crochet (dc) – Insert the hook through the stitch, front to back, then yarn over hook and pull back through stitch. You will have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over your hook and pull through both loops.

PipsTips –

Changing colour. When you need to change a colour, you work your new yarn into the last stitch of the last round. So here I am changing colour from green to blue. I have worked the second to last stitch in the green round and also I have worked the first part of the last stitch. So I am basically working the blue yarn through the last yarn over and pull through two loops in the double crochet stitch. You can see I have looped the blue yarn over the hook and then you need to pull both the green and blue yarn through the last 2 loops.

Ok, so now that you have finished the green yarn round, you can now fasten that off and just use the blue yarn.

Ok so here goes…

Rainbow Face Mask Attachment –

Using your green start by making a slip knot then chaining 17.

1 – Then miss a chain and work 2dc in the next chain.

Work 1dc in the next 14 chains up the one side, followed by 2dc in the next chain. In the last 1dc, change your colour to blue. Now with your blue yarn turn your work, miss the first chain and work 2dc in the next chain. Then 1dc in the next 14 chains finishing the round with 2dc in the last chain. In the last dc stitch change to yellow yarn. (36)

2 – Pop a yarn stitch maker over the stitch so that you can count your rounds.

With your yellow yarn work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Then 14dc stitches, followed by 2dc in the next 2 stitches. In the last 1dc change colour to blue again. Then with your blue yarn work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Finally 14dc stitches and finish off with 2dc in the next 2 stitches. In the last dc stitch change to orange yarn. (44)

3 – With your orange yarn work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Then 18dc stitches, followed by 2dc in the next 2 stitches. In the last 1dc change colour to purple. Then with your purple yarn work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Finally 18dc stitches and finish off with 2dc in the next 2 stitches. In the last stitch change to red yarn. (52)

4 – With your red yarn, work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Then 22dc stitches, followed by 2dc in the next 2 stitches. In the last 1dc change colour to pink. Then work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Finally work 22dc stitches and finishing off with 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Finally slip stitch into the next stitch and fasten off your yarn. (60)

Now all you need to do is sew your ends using your blunt ended tapestry needle.

Finally block your work so that it keeps its shape. To do this all you need to do is wet your work and then smooth with your hands and pin it in place on a foam mat over night. This will give a much neater end product and ensure all those little ends stay firmly in place.

Finally sew on 2 buttons securely at either end of the mask attacher.

And there you have it. Here is the pattern for the plain coloured face mask attachment. It’s definitely a simpler pattern to follow and as you can imagine, they are definitely a little quicker to crochet up. Don’t forget you can play around with your own colours, one option is to change the colour in the last round.

Plain Coloured Mask Attacher –

1 – Start by chaining 17. Then miss a chain and work 2dc in the next chain. Work 1dc in the next 14 chains up the one side, followed by 2dc in the next chain. Now miss the first chain and work 2dc in the next chain. Then 1dc in the next 14 chains finishing the round with 2dc in the last chain. (36)

2 – Pop a yarn stitch maker over the stitch and work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Then 14dc stitches, followed by 2dc in the next 4 stitches. Finally work 14dc stitches and finishing off with 2dc in the next 2 stitches. (44)

3 – Work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Then 18dc stitches, followed by 2dc in the next 4 stitches. Finally work 18dc stitches and finishing off with 2dc in the next 2 stitches. (52)

4 – Work 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Then 22dc stitches, followed by 2dc in the next 4 stitches. Finally work 22dc stitches and finishing off with 2dc in the next 2 stitches. Finally slip stitch into the next stitch and fasten off your yarn. (60)

Now all you need to do is sew your 2 ends in and block it so that it keeps its shape. Finally sew on 2 buttons securely at either end of your attacher.

And there you have it. Two different mask attachers.

Don’t forget to use cotton, as these will need to be washed at a high temperature with their uniforms.

As always, if there are any problems or queries just give me a shout.

Stay Home.

Stay Safe.

Happy Hooking guys!!
🌈Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)

If you are quite new to crocheting, here’s a few links to some of my videos that you may find useful.

How to work a Double Crochet.

How to Crochet – Lesson 1.

A Little Rainbow Love

A rainbow… A sign of hope. A sky bridge of colour. A sign of a new beginnings. A time of change. A bridge that connects from one side of the earth to the other. A sign of love and togetherness. A symbol of being able to move from one place to another. From one situation to the other. Or just, a beautiful array of colours that make you smile.

Whatever a rainbow is to you, at the moment it is a sign that we are all in this together. We are all trying our best to get through it in the best way we can. And we are all as one, fighting, surviving and above all, hoping.

#staysafe #stayhome

With all this rainbow love in everyone’s window, I couldn’t resist coming up with this little rainbow mobile.

One that some little or big people for that matter, can spot in your window & make them smile. You could also make any of the rainbows individually and hang them up too. Can’t wait to see all your creations. The little one might look great on an Easter tree.

If anyone is just starting out in the world of crocheting, then here are some links to my beginner video tutorials.

Right then, so let’s look at the pattern.

Level – Easy

Supplies –

So these little rainbows, I have used a 3mm hook with about 20g of double knit yarn altogether. So you don’t need much of each colour. Great way to use up any little bits of yarn. I have used red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink. You will also need some scissors, blunt ended needle, a little twig from the garden and some thin sewing thread.

Pips Tip –

Changing colour. When you need to change a colour you work your new yarn into the last stitch of the last round. So here I am changing colour from pink to purple.

I have worked the second to last stitch in the pink round and also I have worked the first part of the last stitch. So I am basically working the purple yarn through the last yarn over and pull through two loops in the double crochet stitch. You can see I have looped the purple yarn over the hook and then you need to pull both the pink and purple yarn through the last 2 loops.

Ok, so now that you have finished the pink yarn round, you can now fasten that off and just use the purple yarn. So now I need to work the slip stitch in the next round with my purple yarn, so to do this yarn over your hook.

Then pull through the loop.

And there you have it, you are now ready to carry on working your first 1dc and then work the next round.

Stitches –

Chain stitch (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Magic Ring – Fold over the yarn to make the loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull so that the knot tightens, but you still have a loop. This has created a magic ring.

Ok so here we go…

So for each rainbow I have used the same amount of colours, but the amount of rounds vary. So the large rainbow has 3 rounds of each colour, the medium rainbow has 2 rounds and the small has one.

Large Rainbow – 3 rounds of each colour

1 – Pink yarn – Make a magic ring, ch1, then work 3dc into the ring.

Then pull the tail tight. (3)

2 – Turn, ch1 then *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (6)

3 – Turn, ch1 then *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (9) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your purple yarn.

4 – Purple yarn. Turn, ch1 then *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (12)

5 – Turn, ch1 then *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (15)

6 – Turn, ch1 then *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (18) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your blue yarn.

7 – Blue yarn. Turn, ch1 then *5dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (21)

8 – Turn, ch1 then *6dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (24)

9 – Turn, ch1 then *7dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (27) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your green yarn.

10 – Green yarn. Turn, ch1 then *8dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (30)

11 – Turn, ch1 then *9dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (33)

12 – Turn, ch1 then *10dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (36) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your yellow yarn.

13 – Yellow yarn. Turn, ch1 then *11dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (39)

14 – Turn, ch1 then *12dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (41)

15 – Turn, ch1 then *13dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (44) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your orange yarn.

16 – Orange yarn Turn, ch1 then *14dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (47)

17 – Turn, ch1 then *15dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (50)

18 – Turn, ch1 then *16dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (53) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your red yarn.

19 – Red yarn Turn, ch1 then *17dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (56)

7 – Turn, ch1 then *18dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (59)

7 – Turn, ch1 then *19dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (62)

Now it’s time to fasten off your yarn and sew in all of your ends. Remember that you weave your ends through your work and then fasten off.

Medium – 2 rounds of each colour

1 – Pink yarn. Make a magic ring, ch1, then work 3dcc into the ring. Then pull the tail tight. (3)

2 – Turn, ch1 then *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (6) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your purple yarn.

3 – Purple yarn. Turn, ch1 then *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (9)

4 – Turn, ch1 then *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (12) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your blue yarn.

5 – Blue yarn. Turn, ch1 then *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (15)

6 – Turn, ch1 then *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (18) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your green yarn.

7 – Green yarn. Turn, ch1 then *5dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (21)

8 – Turn, ch1 then *6dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (24) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your yellow yarn.

9 – Yellow yarn. Turn, ch1 then *7dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (27)

10 – Turn, ch1 then *8dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (30) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your orange yarn.

11 – Orange yarn. Turn, ch1 then *9dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (33)

12 – Turn, ch1 then *10dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (36) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your red yarn.

13 – Red yarn. Turn, ch1 then *11dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (39)

14 – Turn, ch1 then *12dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (41)

Now it’s time to fasten off your yarn and sew in all of your ends.

Small – 1 round of each colour.

1 – With your Pink yarn, maje a magic ring, ch1, then work 3dc into the ring. Then pull the tail tight. (3) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your purple yarn.

2 – Purple yarn Turn, ch1 then *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (6) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your blue yarn.

3 – Blue yarn Turn, ch1 then *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (9) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your green yarn.

4 – Green yarn Turn, ch1 then *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (12) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your yellow yarn.

5 – Yellow yarn Turn, ch1 then *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (15) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your orange yarn.

6 – Orange yarn Turn, ch1 then *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (18) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your red yarn.

7 – Red yarn. Turn, ch1 then *5dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (21)

Now it’s time to fasten off your yarn and sew in all of your ends.

And there you have 3 little rainbows.

Ok so let’s talk blocking. Some of you may have never blocked any of your crochet work before, particularly if you mainly make crocheted toys. So blocking is a method which basically results in a smarter end product. It sets the wool in place. Which with a little project like ours, definitely needs doing. The photo below is my little rainbow before it was been blocked. Can you see how it’s curling up at the edges.

So all you need to do is wet your project using a bit of warm water and then using your hands, spread the rainbow out flat onto your little spongy mat and pin it in place.

This gives you the option to mould the rainbow into the exact shape you want.

So as it dries it will set the yarn, giving you a rather smart little rainbow once it’s dried. Takes a day or so.

All you need to do now is assemble the mobile. So to do this I used a little twig from the garden and some sewing thread. Now you could use anything as the twig bit, a lolly pop stick maybe, it’s totally up to you. Using your sewing thread, attach your thread to the top of the medium sized rainbow and then to the bottom left of the large rainbow. Then do the same with the little rainbow to the right side.

For mine I just did a little knot at either end, so that it was secure and then sew in the ends, so that it’s hard to see. Now for the large rainbow, you need to do the same, but attach 2 ends at either side of the top of the arch and then secure it to the twig/stick.

Then you just need a little loop at the top.

It’s a little fiddly this stage, but once you’ve managed it, you will have a beautiful rainbow mobile for your window. Happy days.

As always, if there are any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask. Can’t wait to see all of your creations. Don’t forget to share them.

Stay safe everyone. Stay home.

Happy hooking.
🌈Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)