I wanted some rainbows that looked good from both sides to hang in our window - after a bit of experimenting (and a lot of frogging) I came up with this. When I’d worked out how many stitches I needed to start the circle and keep it flat it was very straightforward and super-quick to make. Clouds added later - adapted from and inspired by this pattern from Sandra Paul at Cherry Heart. Thank you!!

Rainbow Breakout (Named after a 1980s computer game, like colourful ping-pong - one that we and the kids learned to program ourselves on our Amstrad!! We were so proud…)

You will need:

Oddments of yarn in 7 rainbow colours
Appropriate hook for thickness of yarn, to make a fairly dense fabric
Tapestry needle
Stiff card
Transparent suction cup with hook, or anything suitable for hanging

Abbreviations: (US terms)

ch - chain
st/sts - stitch/es
dc - double crochet
slst - slip stitch

Measurement - 9” across approx. if make in DK yarn with a 4 mm hook.

The rainbow is worked as a full circle then folded in half.

To begin: with Violet, ch-36. Join the last st to the first with a slst. Take care not to twist the chain. (36 sts)

Round 1: work into each stitch along the chain, picking up 2 loops: ch-3 (always counts as first dc), dc in bottom of ch-3 just worked, dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st*, repeat section between asterisks all around. Fasten off with an invisible join or slst into 2nd dc from beginning and weave in tails. (48 sts)

Round 2: begin in the second dc of any 2 dc group, using a standing stitch or ch-3 as the first dc: with Indigo, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts*, repeat section between asterisks all around. Fasten off as Round 1. (60 sts)

Rounds 3 - 7: using the remaining rainbow colours in sequence (blue, green, yellow, orange, red), repeat Round 2, increasing the number of single dcs between the 2 dc groups by one on each round. To make it easier to remember, you will always work a 2 dc group into the second st of the 2 dc group below. (Final round 120 sts)

Fold the circle in half, draw around the shape and cut it from stiff card, exactly the same size or very slightly bigger – your rainbow will stretch to fit neatly. Sew or crochet the top edges of the arc together as far as the halfway point, picking up the inner threads and matching stitch for stitch. Now slide in the stiff card and finish the join. Close the gap at the base. Attach a length of chain for hanging, add clouds or pompoms if you like and put on display!

Please let me know if you make this, especially if you spot any mistakes ;).