Sakura Koi Crochet Wall Hanging Free Pattern

Sakura Koi Crochet Wall Hanging: A Free Beginner-Friendly Pattern

Introduction

This chubby little koi fish is the perfect first project for anyone who has just picked up a crochet hook and wants to make something genuinely adorable. Worked flat in simple single crochet, the body is a soft blush-and-cream striped oval that comes together row by row, so you always know exactly where you are. Tiny bright-pink sakura petals are sewn on at the end, and a little stitched smile gives the fish its sweet, kawaii personality. The finished piece is about 12 inches wide and 16 inches tall from the top of the wooden dowel to the bottom of the fringe, and it feels soft, squishy, and light enough to hang on any wall. If you can make a chain and a single crochet, you can absolutely make this koi.

Materials Needed

• Yarn (worsted weight / category 4 acrylic): 1 skein blush pink (Color A, approx. 120 yds), 1 skein cream (Color B, approx. 90 yds), a small amount of bright pink (Color C, approx. 15 yds) for the petals, and a small amount of dark brown or black (Color D, approx. 2 yds) for the smile.
• Crochet hook: 4.5 mm (US size 7).
• Stitch markers: at least 2, to mark the first and last stitch of a row.
• Tapestry needle: a large blunt needle with an eye big enough for worsted yarn, for seaming and weaving in ends.
• Scissors.
• 12-inch wooden dowel (1/4-inch diameter) for hanging.
• Optional: a small amount of polyester fiberfill for a light puff.
• Finished size: the crocheted koi panel measures approximately 12 inches wide x 9 inches tall. The finished hanging, from the top of the dowel to the bottom of the fringe, is approximately 12 inches wide x 16 inches tall.

Abbreviations and Beginner Glossary

• ch – chain: yarn over the hook, pull the loop through the loop on your hook. This is how you start.
• sc – single crochet: insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over again, pull through both loops. One loop remains.
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together (a decrease): insert hook into the first stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops. This turns 2 stitches into 1.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into the stitch, yarn over, pull the loop straight through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• st(s) – stitch(es): one completed single crochet.
• turn – flip your work over so you can work back across the row you just finished.
• 2 sc in next st – work two single crochets into the same stitch (an increase, adding one stitch).
• fasten off – cut the yarn a few inches from your work and pull the tail through the last loop to lock it.
• whipstitch – a simple seaming stitch: pass the needle over the edge of both pieces and back through, over and over, like a spiral.
• lark's head knot – fold a strand in half, pull the folded loop through your fabric, then pull the two loose ends through that loop and tighten.
• weave in ends – thread a yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and run it back and forth through the back of your work so it disappears.

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet.

Gauge matters because it tells you whether your finished koi will be the size written here. If your stitches are bigger than the gauge, the fish will come out too large; if smaller, too small. To check, crochet a small square about 5 inches wide in single crochet, then lay a ruler across the middle and count how many stitches fit in 4 inches and how many rows fit in 4 inches. If you have more stitches than 16, try a larger hook; if fewer, try a smaller hook. Don't skip this step — it takes ten minutes and saves a whole project.

Beginner Tips Before You Start

• Count every row. The body changes width often, so count your stitches at the end of each row and compare to the number in parentheses. If it doesn't match, fix it before moving on.
• Use stitch markers. Place one in the very first stitch and one in the last stitch of each row so you never lose your place.
• Don't pull the yarn too tight. Keep your tension relaxed and even; tight stitches make the fabric stiff and hard to seam.
• Change colors on the last stitch. To switch colors, work the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the row with the new color, then continue.
• Carry the unused color loosely. Let the resting color lie along the side edge without pulling; or fasten off and rejoin each time if that feels easier.
• Keep your chain loose. The starting chain should be relaxed so the first row is easy to work into.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Note: The koi body is worked flat in rows, turning at the end of each row. All instructions use US terms.

Koi Body

With Color A (blush pink), ch 31.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (30 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in each st across to last 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last 2 sts. (32 sc)

Rows 4–5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (32 sc)

Row 6: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (30 sc)

Rows 7–16 (stripes): Change color at the start of each pair of rows — B for Rows 7–8, A for Rows 9–10, B for Rows 11–12, A for Rows 13–14, B for Rows 15–16. Work each row as: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (30 sc)

Row 17: Change to A. Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (28 sc)

Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (28 sc)

Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (26 sc)

Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (26 sc)

Row 21: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (24 sc)

Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (24 sc)

Row 23: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (22 sc)

Row 24: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (22 sc)

Row 25: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (20 sc)

Row 26: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (20 sc)

Row 27: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (18 sc)

Row 28: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (18 sc)

Row 29: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (16 sc)

Row 30: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (16 sc)

Row 31: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (14 sc)

Row 32: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (14 sc)

Row 33: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (12 sc)

Row 34: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (12 sc)

Row 35: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (10 sc)

Row 36: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (10 sc)

Row 37: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (8 sc)

Row 38: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (8 sc)

Row 39: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in each st across to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in last 2 sts. (6 sc)

Row 40: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (6 sc)

Row 41: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog. (4 sc)

Row 42: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog twice. (2 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Finishing the Body

Fold the koi body in half lengthwise with right sides facing out. Using the long tail and a tapestry needle, whipstitch the two long edges together, leaving the top opening (the mouth end) open. Lightly stuff with a small amount of polyester fiberfill if desired for a soft puff, then whipstitch the top opening closed. Weave in ends.

Sakura Petal Appliqués (make 7)

With Color C (bright pink), ch 3.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in last ch. (2 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in each st across. (4 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (4 sc)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog twice. (2 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Use the tail to sew the petal onto the koi body, spacing the 7 petals evenly across the striped body. Weave in ends.

Stitched Smile

Thread a tapestry needle with Color D (dark brown/black). Bring the needle up through the front of the koi near the top opening, make a small curved stitch to form a smile, and secure on the back. Repeat to make a second small stitch for a dimple if desired. Weave in ends.

Hanging Dowel and Fringe

Cut a 12-inch length of blush pink yarn for each fringe strand (approximately 30 strands). Fold each strand in half. Insert the crochet hook through the top edge of the koi body, pull the folded loop through, then pull the yarn ends through the loop and tighten to create a lark's head knot. Work fringe strands evenly across the top edge of the koi.

Insert the 12-inch wooden dowel through the top edge of the koi body, above the fringe. Tie a 12-inch length of cream yarn to each end of the dowel to create a hanging loop, and secure with a knot. Trim fringe ends evenly.

Assembly and Finishing

If you haven't already, seam the body first: with right sides out, whipstitch the two long edges together using the long tail, working from the bottom tail end up toward the mouth opening. Leave the top opening open, add a light puff of fiberfill if you like, then close it with the same whipstitch. Next, sew on the 7 petals: thread each 6-inch tail onto the tapestry needle, take a small stitch through the center of the petal and into the body, and repeat two or three times to anchor it firmly before weaving the tail into the back of the work. Embroider the smile last so you can place it exactly where it looks sweetest. To weave in ends, thread each tail onto the tapestry needle and run it back and forth through the back loops of several stitches, then trim close to the fabric. To block, lightly mist the finished wall hanging with water, pin it to shape on a blocking mat, and allow it to dry completely before hanging.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Change the colors: Swap blush pink for mint or lavender and cream for white for a completely different mood — just keep one light and one medium tone so the stripes still read clearly.
• Make it bigger or smaller: Add or remove 6 chains from the starting chain to change the width, and add or remove decrease rows to change the length. Every 6 extra stitches adds roughly 1.5 inches of width at this gauge.
• Try a different yarn: Cotton yarn gives a crisper, more matte look and holds its shape well; just check your gauge again because cotton behaves differently from acrylic.
• Add more petals or a second fish: Use 10 petals for a fuller blossom look, or make two koi in different colors and hang them side by side from the same dowel for a sweet pair.