The Whispering Willow Wall Tapestry: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Botanical-Inspired Hanging

Bring the Serenity of Nature Indoors: The Whispering Willow Wall Tapestry

Transform your living space with this stunning, textured wall tapestry that mimics the graceful movement of willow branches. Using a unique combination of single and double crochet stitches, this pattern creates a lush, dimensional piece that brings a touch of serene nature indoors. The finished tapestry measures approximately 24 inches wide by 36 inches long (excluding fringe), making it a perfect statement piece for any room.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky weight, 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool) in the following colors:
  • 'Fisherman' (Cream) – 2 skeins
  • 'Oatmeal' (Light Beige) – 1 skein
  • 'Buttercup' (Soft Yellow) – 1 skein
  • 'Fern' (Moss Green) – 1 skein
  • 'Charcoal' (Dark Gray) – 1 skein
• Hook: Size L/8.0 mm crochet hook
• Gauge: 4 stitches and 4 rows = 4 inches in single crochet
• Additional: Yarn needle for weaving ends, wooden dowel or branch for hanging (approximately 24 inches long)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sk: skip
• sl st: slip stitch

Pattern Notes

• The tapestry is worked from the bottom up.
• The design uses a combination of sc and dc to create a textured, woven effect. The 'willow branches' are formed by working dc stitches into the row below, creating a raised, braided look.
• Color changes are made at the end of a row. Carry unused yarn loosely up the side.

Instructions

Foundation Row: With Fisherman yarn, ch 49.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 2 (Right Side): Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts: 24 sc, 24 dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 5-6: Repeat Row 3 and Row 4.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across to last 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Turn. (48 sts)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 10-12: Repeat Rows 7-9.

Row 13: Change to Oatmeal yarn. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 14: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 15-18: Repeat Rows 13-14 twice.

Row 19: Change to Buttercup yarn. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 20: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 21-24: Repeat Rows 19-20 twice.

Row 25: Change to Fern yarn. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 26: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 27-30: Repeat Rows 25-26 twice.

Row 31: Change to Charcoal yarn. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 32: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 33-36: Repeat Rows 31-32 twice.

Row 37: Change to Fisherman yarn. Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 38: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Rows 39-42: Repeat Rows 37-38 twice.

Row 43: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 44: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Row 45: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (48 sc)

Row 46: Ch 1, sc in first st, *dc in next st, sc in next st; repeat from * across. Turn. (48 sts)

Row 47: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Do not turn. Fasten off.

Finishing

• Weave in ends: Use a yarn needle to weave in all loose ends securely on the wrong side of the tapestry.
• Fringe: Cut 12-inch lengths of Fisherman yarn. Fold each strand in half, insert hook into a stitch along the bottom edge, pull the loop through, and pull the ends through the loop. Tighten. Add fringe to every other stitch across the bottom (approximately 24 fringe pieces).
• Hanging Sleeve: With Fisherman yarn, ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (5 sc) Continue working sc rows until the strip is 24 inches long (or width of tapestry). Sew the strip to the top back of the tapestry to create a sleeve for a dowel or rod.
• Hang: Insert a wooden dowel or branch through the sleeve and hang on your wall.