Celebration Paper Chains - Free Knitting & Crochet Pattern for Home in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK by Paintbox Yarns

Celebration Paper Chains – Free Knitting & Crochet Pattern for Festive Home Décor in Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK

The Celebration Paper Chains pattern by Paintbox Yarns is a charming, beginner-friendly project that recreates the look of classic paper party chains in yarn. Available as a free downloadable PDF, the pattern includes both a knitting version and a crochet version, making it accessible to crafters of either persuasion. The finished garland measures approximately 32¾in/83cm long, with each individual chain link measuring roughly 9in/23cm wide and 2¼in/6cm high — perfectly sized for draping across mantlepieces, doorways, or party tables.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a set of 15 interlocking chain links that together form a decorative garland. Each link is worked individually as a flat rectangle and then seamed into a loop, with successive loops threaded through one another before closing — mimicking the construction of traditional paper chains. The result is a reusable, washable, and wonderfully tactile alternative to disposable paper decorations, ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration.

Colourway Options

The pattern offers two ready-made colourway suggestions, each using three colours designated A, B, and C:

• Red, White & Blue version – worked in Royal Blue (A), Paper White (B), and Pillar Red (C), evoking patriotic or nautical celebrations.
• Party version – worked in Spearmint Green (A), Daffodil Yellow (B), and Bubblegum Pink (C), for a bright, festive, and playful look.

In both versions, the 15 links are divided equally: 5 links in colour A, 5 in colour B, and 5 in colour C, creating a repeating, rhythmic stripe of colour along the finished chain.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern calls for Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK, a smooth, 100% cotton yarn in the DK weight category. Cotton DK is an excellent choice for home décor projects: it holds its shape well, has a clean stitch definition that shows off simple textures beautifully, and is easy to wipe clean — a practical bonus for party decorations. For each colourway, you will need:

• 2 x 1.8oz/50g balls in each of the three chosen colours (6 balls total per colourway)

Paintbox Yarns is exclusively available at LoveCrafts.com, as noted in the pattern.

Crochet Hook

• A US G-6 (4mm) crochet hook is specified for the crochet version of the pattern.

Crochet Version – Techniques and Stitches

The crochet version is worked flat (back and forth in rows) and then seamed to form each closed link. This combination of techniques — worked flat and seamed — is ideal for beginners because it avoids the need for working in the round and keeps row counts simple and consistent.

Stitches Used (Crochet)

• Chain stitch (ch) – used to create the foundation chain of 45 chains for each link.
• Single crochet / double crochet (sc/dc) – the pattern uses the US term single crochet (equivalent to UK double crochet), which is the primary stitch used throughout every row of each link. This is one of the most fundamental crochet stitches, producing a dense, firm, and tidy fabric — well suited to a structured decorative item like a chain link.
• Turning chain (1 ch) – a single turning chain is used at the