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Rainbow Afghan Pattern

Rainbow Afghan Pattern
4.6★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.8K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🤗

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

This pattern creates a textured rainbow-style afghan with bobble rows and a shaped arch top. It uses medium weight yarn and an H hook to make a soft, drapey blanket perfect for babies or as a cozy accent. The design includes optional top triangles and a simple border for a finished look.

Rainbow Afghan Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern is color-blocked into five color sections with bobble texture between double crochet sections. Clear row-by-row instructions make it easy to follow even when changing colors or adding the border.

Why You'll Love This Rainbow Afghan Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines simple stitches with textured bobbles for a rich, handmade look. I enjoy how quickly the arch shapes grow after the first few rows, which makes the project rewarding and motivating. The color changes let me play with palettes to match any nursery or home decor. I also love that the top triangles and border offer customization so each afghan can feel unique and personal.

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 to experiment with color palettes for this pattern; try muted neutrals for a modern look or bright primaries for a playful nursery.

To make the afghan larger, swap to a heavier yarn and larger hook and continue the increase pattern proportionally for wider arches.

If you prefer a mini version for a play mat, use lighter weight yarn and a smaller hook to reduce the finished size.

Try making the bobble rows in a contrast color to really make the texture pop across the arches.

I often substitute a popcorn stitch for the bobbles for a rounder, chunkier texture if I want more dimension.

For a scalloped edge instead of a plain dc border, work shell stitches around the edge for a decorative finish.

Experiment with stripe widths by repeating a color for multiple rows before changing to create thicker bands between arches.

Add tassels or small pom-poms at the corners if you want a playful, boho-style finish that kids will love.

You can embroider a small name or motif into the center arch before adding the border for a personalized gift.

I sometimes use a gradient yarn for one or two arches to introduce subtle color shifts without changing skeins frequently.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers at the increase points can make counting confusing and lead to uneven arches; place stitch markers at the start and end of each increase section and replace them as you come to them. ✗ Ignoring the instruction to turn your work and work on the back side of the foundation chain will change your stitch orientation and size; be sure to follow the direction to turn and work on the back side exactly as written. ✗ Not keeping bobbles consistently tight will make some rows look loose and uneven; pull bobble stitches slightly tighter than surrounding stitches and practice the bobble step to maintain uniform height. ✗ Forgetting to count the top and bottom stitches before adding the border can lead to mismatched edges; hdc an even number across the top and bottom and make sure both edges have the same stitch count before joining the border. ✗ Overpulling yarn tension while making decreases can tighten edges and distort shape; keep consistent, moderate tension and check stitch counts frequently during dc2tog and hdc2tog rows.

Rainbow Afghan Pattern

Crochet a cozy, modern Rainbow Afghan that doubles as a baby playmat or small throw. This pattern walks you through color changes, bobble rows, and shaped top triangles so you can create a textured, arch-style blanket. With clear rows and border instructions, you can customize colors to suit any nursery or living space.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Rainbow Afghan Pattern

— Main Fabric

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

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Hook: H (commonly 5.0 mm)
  • 02
    Yarn needle for weaving in ends
  • 03
    Stitch markers (recommended for increase sections)
  • 04
    Scissors

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.

— Pattern :

Info :

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.

Info :

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.

Info :

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.

Info :

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.

Info :

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. Here are some border color ideas for you!

— Additional Info :

Info :

Approximate Size: 32"x32"

Assembly Instructions

  • Repeat the top triangle instructions on the opposite corner, counting 77 stitches up from the first triangle to mirror the shape.
  • Join the border by slip stitching to one side, ch2, and work dc in each stitch around, placing 5 dc in each corner stitch for smooth rounded corners.
  • Work 2 or 3 rows of double crochet (or your chosen border stitch) in the border color, then finish off and weave in all ends securely.
  • Ensure the top and bottom edges have the same stitch count before joining the border by hdc across each; adjust to an even number (around 80) as noted.
  • Use stitch markers to mark the beginning and end of increase sections and replace them as you progress so the arches stay even and symmetrical.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers at the beginning and end of the increase sections to avoid having to constantly count stitches.
  • 💡Work bobble stitches slightly tighter than surrounding stitches to maintain consistent texture and avoid floppy bobbles.
  • 💡Make sure the top and bottom edges have the same stitch count before adding the border for a neat finished edge.
  • 💡Weave in ends as you go to keep the finishing process quick and tidy.

This Rainbow Afghan pattern gives you a textured, arch-shaped blanket with cozy bobble rows and customizable colorways. It works up quickly and looks beautiful draped over a crib or used as a small throw. Choose your favorite palette and make a warm, handmade gift that will be loved and used for years. 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The approximate finished size is 32" x 32" when using the recommended yarn and hook size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the final size; adjust your hook size accordingly and check gauge if precise dimensions are needed.

Do I need advanced skills to make this afghan?

This pattern is rated intermediate because it uses bobble stitches and shaping with decreases and increases; basic knowledge of double crochet and decreases is recommended.

How do I finish the border for neat corners?

Join with a slip stitch, ch2 and work dc evenly around, placing 5 dc in each corner stitch and working 2-3 border rows before finishing off and weaving in ends.