The Vibrant Crochet Crowd Rainbow Blanket Project

The Crochet Crowd is a website that provides free patterns and tutorials for crochet projects. One of their projects is the Crochet Rainbow Baby Blanket, a design by Jeanne Steinhilber that uses soft white and rainbow colours to create a comforting and soothing effect. The pattern is easy to follow and can be adapted to create different sizes and variations. The Crochet Crowd also offers a tutorial for a textured wavy blanket called the End of the Rainbow Baby Blanket, which is suitable for beginners and has a simple two-row pattern. In addition, they feature a range of other crochet projects, including the Crochet Fluffy Unicorn Afghan, which uses a new yarn line called Bernat Blanket Brights to create a vibrant and fluffy afghan.

Rainbow crochet blanket patterns for beginners

The Crochet Crowd offers a range of rainbow crochet blanket patterns, from baby blankets to afghans, that are suitable for beginners. Here are some options to get you started:

The End of the Rainbow Baby to Toddler Blanket

This blanket features a textured, wavy pattern created by an easy 2-row repeat pattern. One row is simply single crochet across, and the other creates the waves. The pattern is easy to remember and work up quickly. The blanket is 40" x 44" long, but you can easily adjust the size by changing the number of chains.

The Rainbow Baby Blanket

This design is based on the Modern Baby Blanket pattern, but instead of miniature squares, you'll be making a large square. The border is also slightly different. The rainbow colours are muted by the soft white, giving it a comfortable and soothing feel. You can download the free pattern and watch a video tutorial to guide you through the process.

The Brighten My Day Blanket

This beginner-friendly pattern features a reversible design and a gorgeous texture. You'll be working with an easy 1-row repeat, so it's a great project to work on while watching TV or chatting. The colour sequence for this blanket has three parts: change colours every 2 rows, then every 4 rows, and finally, every 8 rows. You can adjust the blanket's width by changing the starting chain count.

The Crochet Fluffy Unicorn Afghan

This 6-point star afghan uses the brand new yarn line Bernat Blanket Brights in vibrant rainbow colours. It works up quickly due to the thickness of the yarn. You can download the free pattern and follow the step-by-step tutorial to make your own.

Rainbow baby blanket patterns

The Crochet Crowd's Rainbow Baby Blanket

The Crochet Crowd's Rainbow Baby Blanket is a design by Jeanne Steinhilber, who adapted her previous Modern Baby Blanket pattern by making a large square instead of miniature squares and altering the border. The blanket uses a combination of rainbow colours and white, resulting in a muted, soft, and soothing effect. The pattern is free and relatively quick to make.

End of the Rainbow Baby to Toddler Blanket

The End of the Rainbow Baby to Toddler Blanket is a textured, wavy blanket with an easy-to-remember pattern that consists of two rows: one with a simple single crochet and the other creating waves. The pattern is free and suitable for beginners. The blanket measures 40" x 44" long, but the size can be adjusted by changing the number of chains.

Brighten My Day Blanket

The Brighten My Day Blanket is a free and beginner-friendly crochet pattern featuring a rainbow of colours and a reversible design. The pattern is a simple 1-row repeat, making it a great project for TV-watching or chatting. The blanket measures 32" x 38" but can be adjusted by changing the starting chain count. The pattern includes instructions for the border and three sequences of colour changes to keep the design symmetrical.

Crochet Rainbow Star Blanket

The Crochet Rainbow Star Blanket is a 6-point star afghan made with Bernat Blanket Brights Yarn. The pattern is an adaptation of the Bernat Star Blanket pattern, featuring a slight variation that results in a more solid design between the points of the star. This afghan is quick to crochet due to the thickness of the yarn. The pattern is free, and the colours can be changed to suit your preference.

Yarn types and colour sequences

For yarn types, you can choose from a variety of options, depending on the desired thickness, colour, and brand. The original pattern for the Crochet Crowd Rainbow Blanket uses Bernat Blanket Yarns, specifically the Bernat Blanket Brights line, which offers bold and bright colours. This yarn is ideal for creating a vibrant and fluffy blanket. The Bernat Blanket family also includes the original Bernat Blanket line with neutral colours and the Bernat Blanket Baby line with pastel and nursery colours. You can substitute these brands as long as you maintain a solid colour format to ensure sufficient yardage and avoid running out of yarn.

When planning your colour sequence, you can follow the traditional rainbow colour order of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. However, you can also customise the sequence to make it unique. For example, you might want to use soft pastels, rich vibrant colours, or a single colour. If you want to keep your blanket symmetrical, you can follow a specific pattern, such as Sequence 1, Sequence 2, Sequence 3, Sequence 2, and then Sequence 1. This sequence refers to the number of rows in each colour before changing to the next. So, in Sequence 1, you change colours every 2 rows, and in Sequence 2, you change colours every 4 rows, and so on.

The yarn type and colour sequence you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the overall look you want to achieve for your Crochet Crowd Rainbow Blanket.

Crochet hook sizes

US vs Metric Sizing

Crochet hooks are sized either by letters and numbers (US) or millimetres (metric). The US system can feel a bit random, as the letters and numbers don't follow a strict numerical order. The metric system is more straightforward, as it tells you exactly how wide the hook is in millimetres.

Converting Between Systems

Although most crochet patterns will include both US and metric sizing, it's useful to know how to convert between the two. For example, a US G/6 hook is roughly equivalent to a 4.0mm hook in the metric system.

Specialty Steel Crochet Hooks

In addition to the standard sizing systems, there are also specialty steel crochet hooks, also known as thread crochet hooks. These hooks are much thinner and are designed for delicate, intricate work like doilies and lace. They are usually measured in numbered sizes (0, 1, 2, etc.) rather than letters or millimetres.

Choosing the Right Hook Size

When choosing a hook size, it's important to consider the weight of your yarn, the type of project you're working on, and the desired texture of your fabric. Most yarn labels will suggest a hook size to use, but this isn't the only option. Experimenting with different hook sizes can add a special touch to your work and help you achieve the correct gauge.

Maintaining Your Crochet Hooks

To keep your crochet hooks in good condition, it's important to clean them gently with a damp cloth and store them in a dry place. Wooden hooks may benefit from conditioning with wood oil to prevent drying out.

Border patterns

When it comes to the border patterns of your crochet crowd rainbow blanket, there are a few different options you can choose from, depending on the style and functionality you want to achieve. Here are some ideas and instructions for border patterns:

Basic Border Instructions:

The basic instructions for adding a border to your crochet crowd rainbow blanket involve working 3 rows of single crochet stitches around all sides. In each corner, you will work 3 single crochet stitches to maintain the shape. When you finish a row, slip stitch into the first stitch of that row, chain 1, and turn your work. For the last row, simply fasten off and weave in the ends to secure your border.

Border Row Details:

For the first row of your border, you can attach your yarn in the same colour as the last row of your blanket, or you can opt for a contrasting colour. If you choose the same colour, chain 1 and start working your single crochet stitches. If you opt for a different colour, attach your yarn to one of the corners and chain 1, then work 3 single crochet stitches in that corner. Continue working single crochet stitches along the sides, adjusting the number of stitches as needed to ensure the border lies flat and doesn't pucker.

For the second and third rows of your border, work 1 single crochet stitch into each single crochet stitch from the previous row, and 3 single crochet stitches into each corner. This will create a neat, uniform border.

Other Border Ideas:

If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore other border patterns such as the moss stitch border or a scalloped edge. You can also get creative with colour changes, adding a pop of colour to your border or continuing the rainbow theme. For a fun twist, try surface crochet to add the rainbow after your main piece is finished.

Remember, the border is a great opportunity to add your personal touch to your crochet crowd rainbow blanket, so feel free to experiment with different stitches, colours, and techniques!

Frequently asked questions