Mounting Crochet Wall Hangings: My Go-To Method
Attaching your crochet wall hanging to a dowel might not be the most exciting step, but it’s one of those little things that can really elevate your finished piece. I’ve used this method over and over again because it’s quick, tidy, and holds up well, and I’ve found it gives the most polished result without any fuss.
In this post, I’ll walk you through it step by step. Whether you’ve made one of my patterns like the Wandering Elephant or Roaming Giraffe, or you’ve created something completely your own, this technique will help you get that clean, gallery-worthy finish. There’s also a full video tutorial if you’re a visual learner (or if you just like to have someone crochet along with you). Let’s get that piece up on the wall where it belongs.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything I use when attaching a crochet wall hanging to a dowel:
- Your finished crochet tapestry
- A dowel (you can use wood, bamboo, or even a stick from the garden)
- Yarn (ideally the same yarn you used in the project or something similar)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Choosing the Right Dowel For Your Crochet Wall Hanging
There are so many options for dowels. You don’t need anything fancy, but here are a few things to consider:
- Wooden dowels are easy to find at craft or DIY stores and can be stained or painted if you want to customise the look. Some even come with pre-drilled holes to make hanging easier!
- Bamboo canes are lightweight, strong, and great if you want a more natural or rustic vibe. I used these for my Wander & Roam Wall Hangings.
- Driftwood or sticks add loads of character and are perfect for earthy, boho-style decor. Just make sure they’re dry and clean before using.
- Consider thickness too, something between 8mm and 12mm usually works well for most crochet projects.
Video Tutorial: How To Attach a Dowel to Crochet Wall Hangings
If you prefer to watch and follow along, I’ve created a video that shows the entire process step by step:
Now let’s go over the written steps.
Step-by-Step: Attaching Your Crochet Wall Hanging to the Dowel
1. Cut Your Yarn
To start, you’ll need a length of yarn that’s roughly three times the width of your wall hanging. If you want to be exact, count how many stitches are across the top of your project, wrap the yarn around the dowel that many times, then add about 10 inches.
2. Thread the Needle
Grab your tapestry needle and thread your cut length of yarn through it.
3. Start Stitching Around the Dowel
Begin in the top left corner of your wall hanging:
- Insert the needle through the first stitch at the top of your wall hanging from back to front.
- Pull the yarn up and around the dowel.
- Insert the needle into the next stitch.
Repeat this pattern across the top: into a stitch, around the dowel, into the next stitch. This secures the piece to the dowel while keeping it flat and evenly spaced.
4. Finish Off
Once you’ve worked across all stitches, fasten off the yarn and weave in the ends at the back of your work.
Step-by-Step: Adding a Hanging Cord
If you want to hang your piece on a nail or hook, adding a cord is a great finishing touch.
1. Cut Your Cord
Cut a piece of yarn about 25 inches long. Tie one end securely to one end of the dowel leaving a short tail.
2. Wrap and Secure the End
Wrap the long tail around the dowel and over the short tail about 5 times, moving from the outer edge inwards. Tie a small knot between the short tail and the long cord to secure it in place.
3. Tie the Other End
Repeat the process on the opposite end of the dowel:
- Tie the other end of the yarn to the dowel leaving a tail. Adjust the slack in the middle to your preferred hanging length.
- Wrap the tail around the dowel and over the hanging cord five times, moving from the outer edge inwards.
- Tie it securely and weave the ends to the back.
And that’s it, your crochet wall hanging is officially ready to display!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even though attaching a crochet wall hanging to a dowel is fairly straightforward, there are a few small hiccups you might run into the first time around. Here’s how to deal with them:
- Your wall hanging looks uneven or wavy: This usually means your top edge wasn’t blocked evenly or your tension varied. Try giving it a light steam block before attaching it.
- The yarn looks too loose or too tight around the dowel: Make sure you’re pulling the yarn snug but not tight, just enough so it’s secure without puckering.
Tips for a Clean Finish
Here are a few extra tips that can help you get a really polished look:
- Match your yarn color to the edge of your wall hanging for a seamless finish.
- Use a dowel that’s slightly wider (2–3 inches) than your project.
- Try bamboo or driftwood for a natural, rustic look.
- Block your piece before attaching it so it lies flat.
- Add finishing touches like fringe, beads, or tassels to complete the look.
More Crochet Wall Hanging Inspiration
If you’re on a wall hanging kick, you might love these patterns too:
You’ll find that once you’ve got the hang of attaching your crochet to a dowel, it opens up a world of creative display possibilities.
Finishing Touches for Your Crochet Wall Hanging
There’s something really satisfying about completing a wall hanging and getting it up on display. It’s even more special when it’s a design you created yourself. If you’ve been thinking about designing your own, I have a blog post that walks you through how to make your own graphgan chart, and the same method works perfectly for creating custom wall hangings. It’s a fun way to turn an idea, a sketch, or even a photo into something you can hang on your wall.
Once you’ve attached it to the dowel, added your hanging cord, and maybe even embellished it with a few extras, your project is ready to be shown off. If you give this method a try, I’d love to see it! Tag me in your photos or share your results in the comments. And if you’re looking for more crochet tutorials, don’t forget to check out the rest of the blog!
