Get your pin on! Crochet a Pin Banner

My pin collection has slowly been growing over the last year and, though it’s still pretty small, I would really like to be able to display them in a visually fun way.

I only wear one or two at a time and right now they are mostly covered up by my thick winter coat, so I wanted to find a way to enjoy them more.

I have seen some really cute pin banners, flags and pennants (the terms seem to be interchangeable) on Instagram and Pinterest and decided this was the way to go. However, because my brain is 86% crochet, I decided to crochet one for myself rather than use fabric. I thought I had seen one crochet one somewhere online but when I started this project I couldn’t find it so designed one from scratch.

Here is my guilty before shot, I was using an old cotton bud tub to store them in. I had to use something as they were ending up all over the house, mainly next to the washing machine or on the bedside table, and I was worrying about losing a favourite.

As you can see, something had to be done! So I came up with this really quick and easy crochet pattern. You can make your banner as big or small as you want, depending on the size of your collection, and add multiple pom-poms, or none. I stuck to one but I don’t think I’m finished adding them yet, so there may be an update to this post in a few weeks!

The great thing about using a crochet banner to display your pins is that you have holes built into it by design. This means you can add and remove pins without leaving pin pricks all over the banner like you may with a fabric pennant.

Okay. Lets get started.

Skill level

This is a really easy project. It probably took me around an hour to make the banner and a little longer to factor in blocking and pom pom making. The project uses only single crochet (US terms) and the odd slip stitch.

It is almost so simple my cat could do it… Well maybe not but she tried!

Cat getting involved with pom pom making yarn fluff and scissors

Materials & Sizing

100-150 yards / 50-60g Worsted weight yarn. I had some Caron Simply Stripes in the Times Square colour way, sitting in my WiP pile. I had bought it to have a go at planned pooling and whilst the pooling worked, I didn’t have nearly enough yarn to make it look effective (this would look amazing as a blanket!).

So I decided to frog the lot and use it for this banner instead. It’s such a beautiful colour way that it needed to be seen!

I used a 5.5mm hook and whilst gauge isn’t important, I wanted the stitches quite tight to stop distortion once I started adding the pins.

For the bar across the top I used a wooden chopstick I had in my draw. Alternatively you could use a knitting needle or pick up some inexpensive doweling from any DIY store.

If you want to go back to nature you could also collect a stick from the garden or park, like I did when making my pom pom tree!

The finished size of my banner when hanging is 9in wide by 14in long from the tip of the pennant to the tabs. It is easy to change the size by adding more rows. Guidance is given in the pattern below.

Pattern Notes

Stitch abbreviations (US Terms)

ch = chain

st = stitch

sc = single crochet

ss = slip stitch

blo = back loop only (used for the hanging tabs)

RS = Right Side – until you add the edging there is not a right side!

The Pattern

Row 1: ch2, sc in 1st ch (1)

Row 2: ch1, turn, 2sc in sc from row 1 (2)

Row 3: ch1, turn, 2sc in next 2 st (4)

Row 4: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 2 st, 2sc (6)

Row 5: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 4 st, 2sc (8)

Row 6: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 6 st, 2sc (10)

Row 7: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 8 st, 2sc (12)

Row 8: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 10 st, 2sc (14)

Row 9: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 12 st, 2sc (16)

Row 10: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 14 st, 2sc(18)

Row 11: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 16 st, 2sc (20)

Row 12: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 18 st, 2sc (22)

Row 13: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 20 st, 2sc(24)

Row 14: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 22 st, 2sc (26)

Row 15: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 24 st, 2sc (28)

Row 16: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 26 st, 2sc (30)

Row 17: ch1, turn, 2sc, sc in next 28 st, 2sc (32)

If you want to make the banner wider, then you can continue to increase by working 2sc in the first and last st of each row, as above.

Row 18-50: ch1, turn, sc in next 32 st (32)

If you want to make the banner taller you can continue adding rows here.

Edging

Without fastening off, and with RS facing: sc down the side of the flag, to the bottom, work 3sc in the bottom st (the first ch). Sc up the other side, fasten off and sew in ends.

Hanging Tabs

Tab 1:

With RS facing away and working on the top row of the banner:

Row 1: Skip the first 4sc. Join the yarn to the blo and sc in blo of the next 8 st

Row 2-6: Ch1, turn, sc in both loops of 8 st you just made

Row 7: Ch1, turn. Fold the tab back down to the body of the banner and ss through both the front loop of the main flag (where you made the 8sc in the blo) and the sc of row 6 of the tab.

The wrong side of the tab should look like this before you sew in the end. I crocheted over the beginning tail.

Tab 2:

With the RS still facing away from you, skip 8 st from where Tab 1 finished, and repeat the instructions for Tab 1.

There should be 4 st left in the final row of the banner and the tabs should be evenly spaced across the top.

Your bar (or chopstick if you’re me!) will slide through these tabs to secure the banner.

Finishing

Depending on what yarn you use, you might want to block your banner to ensure the point sits flat as the increasing section can create a little curl. I used a steam iron on mine, placing a tea towel between the iron and the crochet as direct heat on acrylic yarn can can break it down.

You can hang your banner from the bar, or tie a length of yarn to either side of the bar to hang it. I ch50, leaving a larger loop on either end of the chain, sewed in the ends (ensuring the loops were close fitting round either side of the chopstick) and used this to hang my flag.

crocheted stripy hanging pin pennant banner for pin and badge display

Embellishments

I used some of the remaining yarn to make a pom pom to hang on the end of the flag (because any excuse to make pom poms right?). This would also look fantastic with tassels along the bottom. You can do to town with embellishments or just leave it as a simple banner shape.

pom pom maker with pom poms, scissors and fluff

Add Pins!

All that is left now is to add your pins and badges and hang the banner where you want to display your collection! Below is a look at mine.

crochet pennant banner with pom-pom displaying enamel pins and badges

I hope you enjoy this pattern, and as always, don’t forget to tag me in your finished makes! Nothing makes me happier than seeing my designs brought to life by others. I love the colour choices and personal touches you add to the patterns! Plus I would love to see all your pin collections!!

On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #HookMeHappy or just tag @doradexplored. You can tweet me your pictures, or add your them to my Facebook page. And if socials aren’t your thing, feel free to email me your efforts. It really does make my day! I’m also a huge fan of Pinterest so if you like my patterns I’d love it if you pin them, or visit my Pinterest page which showcases some wonderful inspirational crochet patterns – the talent out there blows my mind!

Until next time.

Happy Hooking

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(C) DoraDoes 2018. You may sell what you make from my patterns, but please credit me as the designer. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared. My photos may be shared with credit.