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Rainbow Afghan Pattern

Rainbow Afghan Pattern
4.1★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
1.3K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive crocheting.

🤗

Soft Hug

Gentle, plush, and full of warmth, creating a sense of comfort and coziness wherever they find a home.

About This Rainbow Afghan Pattern

Create a 32" x 32" Rainbow Afghan featuring bobble stitch texture and soft, neutral color bands. The pattern is worked in rows with increases to form the arch shape and includes instructions for top corner triangles and a finished border. It's a lovely home or nursery accessory that showcases simple stitch variations for a professional result.

Rainbow Afghan Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern uses medium weight yarn and an H hook and includes full row-by-row instructions and bobble stitch guidance. Make it exactly as shown or change colors to match your decor.

Why You'll Love This Rainbow Afghan Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because the arch shape and bobble rows create a beautiful, tactile texture that feels so satisfying to crochet. I enjoy how quickly the piece grows — the rhythmic repeats are relaxing and rewarding. The color banding gives a modern, cozy look that works well in nurseries or living rooms. It is versatile enough to customize with your own colors and border choices, so each finished afghan can be truly unique.

Rainbow Afghan Pattern step 1 - construction progress Rainbow Afghan Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Rainbow Afghan Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Rainbow Afghan Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize this afghan by changing the color palette; try soft pastels for a baby blanket or bold jewel tones for a modern look.

Want a larger blanket? Use a heavier yarn and larger hook and follow the same increase pattern to scale up the size.

For a mini version perfect for a play mat or wall hanging, use lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook to reduce the finished dimensions.

I often add fringe or tassels along the bottom edge for a playful finish — it adds movement and charm to the piece.

Swap the bobble rows for popcorn or puff stitches to experiment with different textures while keeping the arch shaping the same.

If you like a reversible look, choose stitch combinations that read nicely on both sides or add a fabric backing for a neat finish.

Try using variegated yarn for one of the color bands to introduce subtle color changes without extra ends to weave in.

I sometimes alternate the border color or do two thin contrasting border rows for a framed effect that makes the arches pop.

To make a themed set, crochet matching toy or mini afghan pieces in the same palette — they make lovely coordinated gifts.

I recommend swatching the bobble row and triangle shaping if you plan to change stitch types or yarns to ensure the shaping and counts still work for your choices.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers at the boundaries of the increase section leads to miscounted increases; place markers at the beginning and end of the increase section to keep your stitch counts accurate. ✗ Not keeping an even tension across bobble rows causes uneven bobbles and an inconsistent texture; maintain consistent tension and practice the bobble stitch on a scrap before working the row. ✗ Forgetting to turn or to change the chain counts at the end of rows will throw off your shaping; always read the chain instruction at the end of each row and turn your work as directed. ✗ Failing to count the top and bottom stitches for the border results in uneven edges; count and make the top and bottom the same stitch count (an even number) before joining the border.

Rainbow Afghan Pattern

Make a cozy, textured Rainbow Afghan perfect for nursery decor or a cuddly lap blanket. This pretty arch-style afghan uses bobble stitches and simple increases to create a striking rainbow effect with five colors. You will enjoy the rhythmic rows and the satisfying arch shape as the piece grows. The finished blanket measures approximately 32" x 32" and is easy to adapt.

Intermediate 8-10 Hours

Materials Needed for Rainbow Afghan Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek - Ivory - 2 skeins (whichever color you choose for the border will need 2 skeins)
  • 02
    Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek - Linen - 1 skein
  • 03
    Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek - Clay - 1 skein
  • 04
    Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek - Tobacco - 1 skein
  • 05
    Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek - Brownie - 1 skein
  • 06
    Similar medium weight (worsted/#4) yarn can be used instead of this brand

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size H (5.0 mm)
  • 02
    Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • 03
    Stitch markers
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Tape measure

Progress Tracker

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— Materials :

Info :

I used Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek yarn from Hobby Lobby in the following colors: Ivory 2 skeins (whichever color you choose for the border will need 2 skeins). Linen 1 skein. Clay 1 skein. Tobacco 1 skein. Brownie 1 skein. Similar medium weight yarn can be used instead of this brand. Hook: H. Yarn needle for weaving in ends.

— Stitches Used :

Info :

Ch - Chain. Sc - single crochet. Slp st - slip stitch. Hdc - half double crochet. Hdc2tog - half double crochet 2 together. Dc2tog - double crochet 2 together. Sc2tog - single crochet 2 together. Bobble stitch: Step 1. *Yarn over, insert hook into the stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops.* Repeat 3 times total. You should have a total of 4 loops on your hook. Step 2. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops at once. It helps to keep this part tighter than the rest.

— Approximate Size :

Info :

Approximate Size: 32"x32"

— Pattern :

Color 1 :

Row 1. Ch 56, dc in the 2nd chain from hook, dc 53, dc 6 in the last st, turn your work so that you are working on the back side of the ch, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 2 :

Dc 54, (if using stitch markers, place one here) dc 2 in each of the next 6 st, (If using stitch markers, place one here as well) dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3 :

Bobble row. Sc 2, [bobble, sc 3] around, replacing stitch markers as you come to them. Ch 2, turn.

Row 4 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, dc 2 in the next 3 st, dc 6, dc 2 in the next 3 st, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 5 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 1] 3x, dc 6, [dc 1, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 6 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 2] 3x, dc 6, [dc 2, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Color 2 :

Row 7. Bobble row. Sc 2, [bobble, sc 3] around to last 2 st, bobble, sc 1.

Row 8 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 3] 3x, dc 6, [dc 3, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 9 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 4] 3x, dc 6, [dc 4, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 10 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 5] 3x, dc 6, [dc 5, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 11 :

Bobble row. Sc 2, [bobble, sc 3] around. Ch 2, turn.

Row 12 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 6] 3x, dc 6, [dc 6, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 13 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 7] 3x, dc 6, [dc 7, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Color 3 :

Row 14. Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 8] 3x, dc ,6 [dc 8, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 15 :

Bobble row. Sc 2 [bobble, sc 3] around. Ch 2, turn.

Row 16 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 9] 3x, dc 6, [dc 9, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 17 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 10] 3x, dc 6, [dc 10, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 18 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 11] 3x, dc 6, [dc11, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 19 :

Bobble row. Sc 2 [bobble, sc 3] around. Ch 2, turn.

Row 20 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 12] 3x, dc 6, [dc 12, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Color 4 :

Row 21. Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 13] 3x, dc 6, [dc 13, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 22 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 14] 3x, dc 6, [dc 14, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 23 :

Bobble row. Sc 2 [bobble, sc 3] around. Ch 2, turn.

Row 24 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 15] 3x, dc 6, [dc 15, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 25 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 16] 3x, dc 6, [dc 16, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 26 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 17] 3x, dc 6, [dc 17, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 27 :

Bobble row. Sc 2 [bobble, sc 3] around. Ch 2, turn.

Color 5 :

Row 28. Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 18] 3x, dc 6, [dc 18, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 29 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 19] 3x, dc 6, [dc 19, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 30 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 20] 3x, dc 6, [dc 20, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 1, turn.

Row 31 :

Bobble row. Sc 2 [bobble, sc 3] around. Ch 2, turn.

Row 32 :

Dc 54 or to stitch marker, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 21] 3x, dc 6, [dc 21, dc 2 in the next st] 3x, replace stitch marker when you come to it, dc 54. Ch 2, turn.

Row 33 :

Dc 77, [dc 2 in the next st, dc 22] 2x, dc 6, [dc 22, dc 2 in the next st] 2x, dc 77. Finish off.

— Top Triangles :

Info :

I like to do the triangles in either the 5th color selection or in the border color. Choose what you like best!

Row 1 :

Skip 77 st, slp st in the next st, sc 3, hdc 4, dc 11, hdc 4, sc 3, slp st. ch 1, turn.

Row 2 :

Skp the slp st, sc2tog, sc 1, hdc 4, dc 11, hdc 4, sc 1, sc 2tog. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3 :

Sc 2 tog 2x, hdc 2, dc 11, hdc 2, sc2tog 2x. Ch 2, turn.

Row 4 :

Dc2tog 2x, dc 11, dc2tog 2x. Ch 2, turn.

Row 5 :

Dc2tog 2x, dc 7, dc2tog 2x. Ch 2, turn.

Row 6 :

dc2tog 2x, dc 3, dc2tog 2x. Ch 2, turn.

Row 7 :

Dc2tog, dc 3, dc2tog. Ch 2, turn.

Row 8 :

Dc2tog, dc 1, dc2tog. Ch2, turn.

Row 9 :

Dc3tog. Finish off.

Info :

Repeat this on the second top corner, counting 77 stitches up from the opposite side.

Info :

Hdc an even number across the top and bottom of the afghan. I generally go for around 80 st, but the most important thing is for the top and bottom to be the same stitch count.

— Border :

Info :

Join on one of the afghan sides with a slp st, ch2, dc in each stitch around, placing 5 dc in each corner st. Crochet 2 or 3 rows in the border color before finishing off and weaving in the ends.

Info :

Here are some border color ideas for you!

Assembly Instructions

  • Repeat the Top Triangle instructions on the opposite corner by counting 77 stitches up from the other side so both top corners match.
  • Join the border by slip stitching onto one afghan side, ch 2, then work dc in each stitch around, placing 5 dc in each corner stitch to maintain square shape.
  • Work 2 or 3 rows in the border color, keeping top and bottom stitch counts equal, then finish off and weave in all ends securely.
  • When changing color bands, fasten off and weave ends neatly to the back of the work or carry the yarn along the edge to reduce ends.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers at the beginning and end of the increase section to avoid constant counting and to ensure symmetrical shaping.
  • 💡Make sure the top and bottom have the same even stitch count before adding the border to prevent wavy edges.
  • 💡Weave in ends as you go where possible to keep finishing tidy and faster at the end of the project.

This Rainbow Afghan pattern makes a warm, stylish blanket that is perfect for a nursery or cozy corner. 🧶 The textured bobble rows and soft neutral bands create a timeless look that blends with many decor styles. ✨ Make it in your favorite colors and enjoy a lovely handmade heirloom. 🤗

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished afghan measures approximately 32" x 32" when using the recommended yarn and H hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights but the final size and drape will change; choose an appropriate hook to match your yarn and adjust stitch counts if needed.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate due to the bobble stitch and shaping; basic knowledge of dc, hdc, sc, and increases is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this afghan in 8-10 hours, but time may vary depending on experience level and yarn choices.