If you loved my crochet Shoji lamp, you’re in for a treat! This crochet Arabic lantern is the next piece in my – hopefully – growing series of crochet lantern patterns, where I explore different architectural and cultural inspirations through yarn. As someone deeply connected to my Algerian heritage, I’ve always been fascinated by the breathtaking designs found in North African and Andalusian architecture; those intricate arches, mesmerizing geometric patterns, and the way light filters through ornate details. It felt only natural to translate that beauty into crochet, creating a lantern that carries the charm of traditional Arabic craftsmanship while adding a cozy and colorful touch to it.

I plan to keep expanding this series with more crochet lantern designs, each inspired by a different style from around the world. But for now, let’s dive into this one: a delicate yet bold piece that’s as much a work of art as it is a celebration of culture. Ready to bring this timeless elegance to life with your crochet hook? Let’s get started!

Materials

Scrubby “eyelash” yarn (75% acrylic polyester, 25% lurex), the brand I used is called Ayda Isil Krystal and you can find them on Etsy here for the pink one (number 204), and here for the gold one (number 1213).
A fine gold polyester lace “eyelash” thread for extra shimmer*. I couldn’t find a link, but any super-thin gold metallic thread will do the trick.
a 4 mm crochet hook
A 9 cm diameter, 9.7 cm tall cardboard tube, commonly found inside lace yarn rolls.
Clear plastic sheets
Foam clay and basswood for the windows frames
White primer and gold acrylic paint
An utility knife and precision knife
Parchment paper for baking or vellum paper or crepe paper (I personally used crepe paper for this one)
Polyester fiberfill for stuffing
A cute button
A hot glue gun and fabric glue
2 pieces of round cardboard (0,5 mm thickness – 8,5 cm of diameter each)
Fairy lights or artificial candle light
A printer

* The thread looks like this:

Abbreviations

ch: chain

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

inc: increase

BLO: back loops only

R: round / row

Notes – Crochet Ramadan Lantern

Every round ends with a slip stitch to the first stitch. Every row ends with a chain 1 then turn.

The finished crochet arabic lantern measures: 17 cm tall, 11 cm wide.

The gauge for the yarns is: 10 x 10 cm = 19 sc x 21 rows.

Crochet Arabic Lantern Pattern

Preparing the carboard tube base first

We’ll begin by preparing the base of the crochet Arabic lantern by cutting the windows into the cardboard tube. To do this, download the free PDF containing the base templates, then print it out.

Take your cardboard tube and mark it with these guidelines:

• Draw a vertical straight line—this will serve as the starting point for positioning your windows.
• Draw a horizontal line 1.7 cm from the bottom.

Next, cut out the window templates from the printed PDF file. Starting from the vertical line you just traced, place the first window so that its bottom aligns with the horizontal line. Then, space the remaining windows 1.7 cm apart, keeping them aligned with the horizontal guideline. Finally, position the rectangle frame 1.8 cm from the last window, maintaining the same 1.8 cm gap from the first window. Refer to the image below for a visual guide.

Once you’ve traced all the templates onto the cardboard tube, use a utility knife to carefully cut out each section (the four Arabic windows and the opening for the light). Take your time and exercise caution, wearing cut-resistant gloves is highly recommended for safety. Make sure to keep the rectangle you cut for the light opening, we’ll be using it later.

Use foam clay to smooth out the edges of the cutouts, to make sure that there are no uneven or rough spots. Next, cut the four window frames from basswood. To make them flexible, rinse them with water: the wood will soften, making it easier to curve around the shape of the cardboard tube. Once they’re pliable, glue each frame around the window openings you previously cut.

First, apply a coat of primer to the window frames and the foam clay inside the cutouts. Let it dry completely before painting them gold. Once dry, cut a sheet of transparent plastic to fit inside the cardboard tube, mimicking glass for the windows, and glue it in place. Then, insert the vellum paper inside the tube and secure it with glue. Finally, glue the two round pieces of carboard to the top and bottom of the cardboard tube to complete the base.

With the base of your crochet Arabic lantern complete, it’s time to start crocheting the outer design!

Bottom Of The Crochet Arabic Lantern

With the pink yarn and the 4 mm crochet hook, make a magic circle.

Round 1: 6 sc (6)
Round 2: sc inc x 6 (12)
R3: (1 sc, sc inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, sc inc) x 6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, sc inc) x 6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, sc inc) x 6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, sc inc) x 6 (42)
R8: (6 sc, sc inc) x 6 (48)
R9: (7 sc, sc inc) x 6 (54)
R10: (8 sc, sc inc) x 6 (60)

The round piece you create will have a diameter of approximately 9.5 cm.

R11: 60 sc BLO (60)
R12 to 14: 60 sc (60)
R15 to 30: 3 sc (3)

Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Starting the colum of 3 sc you just made, on its left, skip 8 stitches and create another column of 3 sc x 16 rows. Repeat this process four times. You should now have five columns of (3 sc x 16 rows), with a 13 stitches gap between the first and last columns. Weave in all ends.

Now starting the middle stitch (2nd stitch) of the 1st column, join your yarn back with a single crochet. Continue working in rounds as follow:

R31: 2 sc, ch 8, (3 sc in the 3 stitches of the next column, ch 8) repeat this 3 times, ch 13, 1 sc (60)

R32 to 33: 60 sc (60 – count the ch8 and ch13 as stitches for row 32)

Cut the yarn and weave in all ends.

Corners of the windows spaces

Make a magic circle We will work this in rows, not in rounds, so end the rows with a ch1 then turn.

Row 1: 3 sc (3)
Row 2: sc inc, 1 sc, sc inc (5)
R3: 1 sc, 3 sl st, 1 sc, ch 4, starting the 2nd loop from the hook: 3 sl st, 1 sc back to the last sc we made.

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for sewing. Make a total of eight corners like this.

Sew these in each top corners of the four windows opening.

Fold-down panel for the Light Opening

Chain 16, starting the 2nd loop from the hook (we’re working the panel from the top to its bottom with the loop for the button):

Row 1 to 18: 15 sc (15)
Row 19: 8 sc, ch 6, sc back to the same stitch, 7 sc.

Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Sew the top of the fold-down panel to the top of the light opening. Then, sew the cute button onto the bottom of the crocheted lantern, aligning it with the loop on the fold-down panel.

Take the rectangle you previously cut from the cardboard tube and glue it inside the fold-down panel, as shown in the picture below. You may need to trim the top and bottom slightly so it fits more easily inside the opening.

Now that the bottom of the crochet Arabic lantern is complete, glue it around the prepared cardboard tube, aligning the windows and light opening perfectly with the space we made for each one of them.

The Pillars – Crochet Arabic Lantern

Grab your gold yarn and golden thread, we’ll be working on the pillars and the dome using both strands held together.

Middle Pillars (make three)

Chain 3, then starting the 2nd loop from the hook:

Row 1 to 13: 2 sc (2)
Row 14: sc inc x 2 (4)
R15: sc inc, 2 sc, sc inc (6)
R16: sc inc, 4 sc, sc inc (8)

Cut the yarn and leave a tail for sewing. Glue the middle pillars between two arabic windows (so on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th columns). And sew the top to the dome.

The Side Pillars (make two)

Chain 3, then starting the 2nd loop from the hook:

Row 1 to 13: 2 sc (2)
Row 14: 1 sc, sc inc (3)
R15: sc inc, 2 sc (4)
R16: 3 sc, sc inc (5)

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for sewing. Glue the side pillars onto the first and last columns, (so on either side of the light opening). Then, sew the tops to the dome.

The Dome

Make a magic circle.

Round 1: 6 sc (6)
Round 2: sc inc x 6 (12)
R3: (1 sc, sc inc) x 6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, sc inc) x 6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, sc inc) x 6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, sc inc) x 6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, sc inc) x 6 (42)
R8: (6 sc, sc inc) x 6 (48)
R9 to 17: 48 sc (48)
R18: (7 sc, inc ) x 6 (54)
R19: (8 sc, sc inc) x 6 (60)
R20 to 21: 60 sc BLO (60)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Before attaching the dome, fill its inside with polyester fiberfill. Then, sew it to the top of the lantern, stitching through the stitches from the 29th round of the crochet Arabic lantern’s base.

Thread a piece of yarn through the stitches around the 18th round of the dome, then pull it slightly tight to cinch and round the top.

And just like that, your crochet Arabic lantern is complete! Place the lights inside and watch it shine beautifully!

This one takes some real dedication, so give yourself a big round of applause! If you make one, I’d absolutely love to see it. Share your creation with me on social media by tagging me, I can’t wait to admire your work!

Lanterns have always fascinated me, and I love the warmth and charm they bring to any space. There are so many beautiful styles out there, and I’d love to hear your suggestions for other lantern or lamp designs I could create. If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments down below. I’m always excited to try something new!

Until the next one, happy crocheting!