Rainbow Crochet Blanket Free Pattern
This shell stitch crochet rainbow baby blanket is an easy beginner-friendly blanket to make but has the look of a blanket that took much longer to crochet
This rainbow ripple design is worked up using a one-row repeat of stitches, which means it’s easy to crochet. If you think you are ready to make your very own rainbow crochet blanket, then read on down to find the free baby blanket crochet pattern!
Scroll on down to find the free rainbow blanket pattern that would be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, as a baby blanket or a just because you want to make a blanket blanket.
The Yarn That Is Perfect for This Rainbow Blanket
I used Red Heart Super Saver Stripes, which is a 100% acrylic four weight yarn. I used this striped colorway, so I could get the look of stripes without all the color changes and weaving in of ends! Take a look at the yarn below.
If rainbow stripes aren’t for you, then no worries, this yarn comes in some great color varieties, so there is sure to be something you will love! Check out all the choices on the Red Heart Yarns website, or even on Amazon.
This best part of this blanket is that it only uses one skein of yarn, which makes it great for a small lap throw, baby blanket, or even as a photo prop. It’s the perfect blanket size for little ones, and my kids already claimed this one as their own since according to them, this blanket is super cool.
Just look at the picture above to see how smoothly the colors of the yarn blend to create a rainbow blanket and how fun it really is! I can’t wait to see how your blanket turns out.
The Stitches You’ll Need to Know for a Rainbow Blanket
If you think this stitch looks complicated, then you are mistaken because it is beginner-friendly and works up fast! This rainbow blanket only uses a few basic crochet stitches, such as the double crochet and single crochet, to create a shell stitch.
If you need a refresher before you start this blanket about how a double crochet stitch (dc) and the single crochet (sc) is worked up, then click on over to my beginner tutorials below that will help you with this stitch.
- Wrap the yarn over (Yo) the hook, insert the hook into the specified st.
- Yo the hook again, draw the yarn through the st, so there are 3 loops on the hook
- Yo the hook again draw it through 2 loops, so there are 2 loops on the hook
- Yo the hook, draw it through the final 2 loops.
- Insert hook from front to back in the second chain from the hook or designated stitch
- Bring the yarn over (Yo) the hook and pull the yarn back through the chain (or stitch) from back to front (2 loops on hook).
- Yo and pull through both loops on the hook.
These two stitches will be used together to make a shell stitch, which is what creates the fanned look of this blanket. Learn more about the shell stitch with our step-by-step photo and written tutorial before starting this blanket.
Rainbow Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern
Skill Level: Easy
Materials
- Size J 6.00 MM crochet hook
- 276 Yards of Red Heart Super Saver Stripes Yarn or any medium weight 4 yarn.
- 40 yards of white worsted weight (4) yarn
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Crochet Abbreviations
- CH(s) = Chain(s)
- ST(s) = Stitch(es)
- DC(s) = Double Crochet(s)
- SK = Skip
- SC = Single Crochet
Gauge
- 6 dc’s x 4 rows = 4”
Finished Size
- The baby blanket finished size is approximately 26″ high x 48″ wide in inches.
Notes
- The pattern is written in Standard US terms.
- Change the blanket size by using a starting chain in a multiple of 12 plus 4 extra stitches to whatever multiple you picked.
The Rainbow Blanket Pattern Steps
Foundation Row: CH 64. In the 2nd CH from the hook SC, SC in every CH across. (63)
Row 1: CH 3 (counts as first DC), SK first ST, 1 DC in each of next 3 STs, *SK next 2 STs, 5 DCs in next ST, CH 2, SK next 4 STs, 1 DC in each of next 5 STs, repeat from * across ending last repeat with 1 DC in each of the last 4 STs, turn.
Row 2: CH 3 (counts as the first DC), SK 1 ST, 1 DC in each of next 3 STs, * SK CH 2 space and work 5 DCs into 1st DC of cluster from row before, CH 2, SK the next 4 ST’s of the cluster, Work 1 DC into next 5 DCs from previous row, repeat from * across ending last repeat with 1 DC in each of the next 3 DCs from the previous row, 1 DC in top of the turning CH, turn.
Row 3: Repeat Row 2 until desired length of blanket. (25 rows were done for the example)
Last Row (I did 25 rows): Row Ch 1, SC in every ST across.
The Border
We will be crocheting a single crochet border to this blanket.
- To Begin attach the white yarn to your rainbow cluster blanket after the last row, starting in first ST down the long side and make an SC
- Crochet 74 more SCs evenly along the side
- Next make 2 SCs CH 1 2 SCs in the corner
- Continue working along bottom short side of blanket and make 61 SCs until you reach the next corner
- Make 2 SCs CH 1, 2 SC in the corner
- Continue working your way around the blanket in the same manner until you reach the last corner.
- After working your way around the blanket, fasten off your yarn and weave in the loose ends with a yarn needle.
Finishing
- Weave in remaining loose ends of your blanket with a yarn needle, then block the blanket to straighten edges if desired.
- You can find a blocking board on Amazon or in your local craft store. I recommend blocking, otherwise your blanket will not lay nicely.
- Learn more about blocking.
Are you planning to make even more crochet blankets? Try out my easy blanket stitch pattern, Elise’s single crochet blanket or search the archives for more ideas.
More Free Crochet Blankets
- American Flag Crochet Patterns for Blankets
- Easy Crochet Afghan Pattern (8 Sizes)
- Free C2C Crochet Graphgan Patterns
- Free Christmas Crochet Blanket Patterns
- Textured Crochet Afghan Pattern (+7 Sizes!)
- Modern Square Crochet Blanket Pattern
- Crochet Ghost Halloween C2C Blanket Pattern
- Bobble Crochet Baby Blanket (+7 Bonus Sizes)
- Textured Puff Stitch Crochet Blanket Pattern
You finished the Rainbow Cluster Blanket! Did you like this simple pattern?
You may also like our free patterns for the Chevron Crochet Blanket, Charlotte Crochet Blanket and many more found in our crochet blanket section.
Save to Crochet Later on Pinterest
Use the images below to pin to Pinterest, so you can make learn the shell stitch rainbow blanket at any time. Follow along with on there too since we always share new free patterns as well as crochet stitches and tutorials too.
