Rainbow Crochet Blanket Pattern

Learn how to make a crochet rainbow blanket with this free blanket pattern that would be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or a decor piece as a fun retro style afghan!

Below, I’ll show you how to crochet this colorful rainbow blanket with ripples, from selecting the right yarn and hook size to mastering the ripple stitch. I’ll cover all the basics to help you create a beautiful and unique blanket that you’ll love for years to come.

If you’re ready to get started crocheting, then grab your yarn and hook, and let’s get started on this colorful rainbow blanket!

Rainbow Crochet Blanket Pattern

Selecting the Right Yarn for Your Rainbow Blanket

When it comes to picking the yarn for a rainbow blanket, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll want to choose a soft and durable yarn that is easy to work with and holds up well over time. Acrylic yarn is a popular choice for crochet projects, as it is affordable, easy to care for, and comes in a wide range of colors.

For a rainbow blanket, you’ll want to pick various bright and bold colors that complement each other. I decided to use a rainbow-colored yarn called Retro Stripes from Red Heart Super Saver because it has all the bright colors in one skein of yarn without any weaving in of ends due to color changes. I also used a Lion Brand Pound of Love in White to compliment the bright colors too!

If you decide to use a different yarn that I did, then think about the color wheel. Choose colors that are opposite each other for maximum contrast, such as red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple when picking colors.

Other Materials Needed

To make this blanket, you will need a crochet hook, stitch markers (optional), measuring tape and a pair of scissors.

Crochet Hook

You will want to make sure to use the crochet hook size that works for you to meet the gauge. For this blanket, I used a 5 mm H hook, even though the label of the super saver yarn recommended a 5.5 mm.

5 mm (H-8)

This hook is also known as H-8 (US), 6 (UK) & 5 mm. You can use it with Weight 2 – Fine & Weight 3 – Light yarn weights.

Buy Now Patterns Using This Hook →

More Notions

You may also use stitch markers, which can help keep your stitch count and mark your place throughout the pattern. I also recommended having a nice pair of yarn scissors such as stork scissors on hand plus paper measuring tape, so you know you are making the correct size blanket.

Tip: If you don’t have stitch markers, you could also use a piece of scrap yarn to mark your place instead.

Stitches In A Rainbow Blanket

To make this blanket, you will need to know a few basic crochet stitches, such as the chain stitch and the double crochet stitch.

Learn more about each stitch below.

You will also need to know how to double crochet three together. Below in the pattern you will find an explanation as well as a video tutorial to help.

The Rainbow Crochet Blanket

Skill Level: Intermediate

Materials

Four weight yarn
- Lion Brand Pound of Love (White) Less than one skein or
- Red Heart Super Saver (Retro Stripes) Less than 4 skeins or 944 yards
H-8 5 mm crochet hook
Yarn needle
Scissors
Measuring tape
Stitch markers (optional)

Crochet Stitch Abbreviations

dc = double crochet
ch = chain
dc3tog = double crochet three together {Yarn over, pick up a loop in next st. Yarn over, draw through two loops on the hook} 3 times. Yarn over, draw through the last four loops on the hook.

rep = repeat
st = stitch
hdc(s) = half double crochet (s) – for the border only

Notes

Written in standard US terms
Change sizes by using a staring chain in a multiple of 14 + 3 stitches
Learn how to change color in crochet for easy yarn color changing.
Ch 3’s count as a st starting with the foundation row.
Finished Size is 52″ height x 36″ wide
Approximately 16 sts x 5 rows = 4″

The Pattern

To Start: With Color A ch 140 + 3 (143)

Foundation Row: 2 dc in 4^thch from hook, *1 dc in each of next 3 ch, [dc3tog in next 3 ch] twice, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch **, 3 dc in next 2 sts, rep from * across, ending with last rep at **, 3 dc in the last ch, turn. (140)

2 dc in the 4th ch from the hook
1 dc in each of the next 3 sts
dc3tog
dc3tog

Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1^st dc) 2 dc in the same space as ch 3, *1 dc in next 3 sts [dc3tog in the next 3 ch] twice, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc ** 3 dc in each of next 2 st, rep from * across, ending last rep at **, 3 dc in top of the turning ch from the previous row, turn.

Row 2: Rep Row 1

Row 3: Change to Color B, rep Row 1

Row 4: Rep Row 1

Row 5: Change to Color A, rep row 1

Row 6: Rep row 1

Row 7: Rep row 1

Row 8: rep row 1

Row 9: Change to Color B, rep row 1

Row 10: Rep row 1

Row 11 to 59: Rep rows 5 to 10.

Row 60 to 62: With Color A, rep row 2.

Finishing: To finish the main blanket, fasten off color A and weave in loose ends with a yarn needle.

Rainbow Blanket Video Tutorial

The video below shows how to crochet the first two rows of the blanket.

If you have an ad-blocker on, you may not be able to see the video.

Border

The border of this blanket is optional and not shown in the video.

Round 1: Join in Color A in the last st of row 62. hdc into that st twice, going down the side of the blanket placing 3 hdc’s for each row of the blanket for a total of until you reach the corner, hdc 3 times in the corner, hdc across the bottom of the blanket until you reach the corner, hdc 3 times in the corner, continue up the side of the blanket, 1 hdc into the corner that you started in, sl st to the first hdc of the round.

The blanket above shows 1 round of a border, but two can be done.

Finishing: Cut yarn with scissors and weave in loose ends with a yarn needle where it is needed.

Selecting the Right Yarn for Your Rainbow Blanket