Crochet the Rainbow Granny Square Throw

This vibrant rainbow granny square crochet blanket is ideal for any of the bright people in your life.

By: Janaya Chouinard for AllFreeCrochet.com

Crochet the Rainbow Granny Square Throw is a crochet blanket that is essentially one large granny square, so you can work it as large or as small as you want by choosing how many rounds to crochet when working this up. This crochet blanket is beginner-friendly, so this is perfect practice if you're just learning how to crochet.

Once you've mastered the crochet stitch pattern of this rainbowlicious design, simply keep repeating it, around and around the blanket. Keep the bright and vivid color scheme as in the photo, or you can switch things up with your own favorite color or colors. Though we love the look of this rainbow granny, it would be beautiful in ombre blues, reds, or greens, too!

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Beginner

Crochet HookI/9 or 5.5 mm hook

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Crochet GaugeGauge in DC: 13 stitches and 7 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Finished Size40" x 40"

Materials List

Worsted weight yarn such as Red Heart With Love or Red Heart Super Saver in the following colors:

o Color A - Pink - 64 yards

o Color B - Orange - 97 yards

o Color C - Yellow - 141 yards

o Color D - Green - 185 yards

o Color E - Blue - 229 yards

o Color F - Purple - 304 yards

o Color G - White - 77 yards
5.5 mm (I-9) crochet hook
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Granny Square Crochet Blanket Pattern:

Special Instructions
-The alt-ch counts as the first stitch of the round.
-You will turn your work after every round.

The first round of stitches is all worked into the 2nd chain from the hook. You can start with a Magic Ring if that is your preferred method.

CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE.

With Color A – Pink

Round 1: Ch 2, in 2nd ch from hook, [make an alt-ch, make 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2*, repeat from * 2 more times], sl st to join in top of alt-ch and turn (12 dc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
Round 2: In the first ch-2 space make [alt-ch, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc], *in next ch-2 space make [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]*, repeat from * 2 times, sl st to join in top of alt-ch and turn (24 dc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
When the instructions say “in first/next space”, it means the open space between the sets of 3 dc stitches.
Round 3: In first space make [alt-ch, 2 dc], in corner ch-2 space make [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc], *in next space make 3 dc, in corner ch-2 space make [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc], *, repeat from * 2 more times, sl st to join in top of alt-ch and turn (36 dc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
Round 4: In first space make [alt-ch, 2 dc], *in corner ch-2 space make [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc], make 3 dc in each space to next corner*, repeat from * back to start, sl st to join in top of alt-ch and turn (48 dc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
Round 5: In first space make [alt-ch, 2 dc], make 3 dc in each space to corner, *in corner ch-2 space make [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc], make 3 dc in each space to next corner*, repeat from * back to start, sl st to join in top of alt-ch and turn (60 dc, 4 ch-2 spaces)
Round 6 – 8: Repeat Round 5

With Color B – Orange

Round 9 – 13: Repeat Round 5

With Color C – Yellow

Round 14 – 18: Repeat Round 5

With Color D – Green

Round 19 – 23: Repeat Round 4

With Color E – Blue

Round 24 – 28: Repeat Round 5

With Color F – Purple

Round 29 – 33: Repeat Round 5
Round 34: Ch 1, sc in each stitch to corner, *make 3 sc in corner ch-2 space, sc in each stitch to next corner*, repeat from * back to start, sl st to join in first sc and fasten off.

Shell Stitch Border

With Color G – White

Locate the middle SC stitch in the corner ch-2 space, count 3 stitches to the left and join with a sl st in that third stitch. *(Skip 2 stitches, in next stitch make 6 dc, skip 2 stitches, sl st in next stitch*, repeat from * to next corner, in corner stitch make 7 dc), repeat between ( ) back to start, sl st to join in starting stitch and fasten off. Weave in all ends.
Finished blanket:

Crochet the Rainbow Granny Square Throw PDF

Want to save this pattern for later or print it out in an easy-to-follow format? Get our free printable PDF.

Click Here to Download
the Crochet the Rainbow Granny Square Throw PDF

How to Print the PDF:

Printing this is as easy as 1-2-3! If you're not familiar with printing PDFs, here's the step-by-step, along with a few tips.

Click the red button right above this section that reads, "Click Here to Download the Crochet the Rainbow Granny Square Throw PDF". Or, just click this link here to download.
Find and open the PDF.

Pro tip: You may see the download appear at the bottom of your browser window, and you can open it from there. Or check wherever your downloads are set to save to (the Downloads folder is often a default location).
Click the "Print File" button, choose the printer, choose how many copies you want, make any additional adjustments needed for personal preference, and click the "Print" button.
Grab your hook, yarn, any other supplies needed, and you'll be ready to crochet this beauty!

Abbreviations

Alternate DC Starting Chain (alt-ch): Turn your work, but do not chain. Insert hook in first space, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops, insert hook in front vertical bar of stitch just made, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.

Now that you know the granny stripe stitch, you can learn how to crochet the granny ripple stitch with this video tutorial!

Who do you want to make this beautiful blanket for?

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AmandaS

May 23, 2019

This is my first time doing a granny square and I'm fairly new to crochet. How do you handle the color changes? I couldn't find anything in the pattern about it. I looked online and they suggest the corners, but not sure how to do it with the alt-ch. Thank you!

EditorLP

May 31, 2019

Hi AmandaS, we have a helpful article explaining several methods of color changings here: https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Tutorials/How-to-Change-Colors-in-Crochet. For this pattern, I would recommend trying the technique in the section "Crochet Changing Colors at End of Row." Each of the sections has a video tutorial to show you how it is done. Alternatively, you could try attaching the new color by slip-stitching it into the last stitch of the previous color, then completing the alt-chain as usual. I hope this helps! - Laura, editor of AllFreeCrochet

NHStitcher

Feb 11, 2019

How does one download and save the pattern?

EditorLP

Feb 13, 2019

Hi NHStitcher, at the bottom of the pattern there are social media buttons and a save button. If you click the button that says "more" there is an option to print the pattern. We hope this helps! - Editors of AllFreeCrochet

mrx1564

Jul 20, 2018

good

mulberrygalprinces s

Apr 28, 2018

This is so pretty and it's very easy to make. It's basic stitches. I want to make it for a newborn so I want to make it in pastels. It will look just as pretty in pink, yellow,green, blue ,and lilac. Maybe even prettier. Thanks for sharing this great pattern and inspiration.

cassiemae 041346

Jan 21, 2018

Could you please explain to me what is the alt-ch stitch is would I make a regular chain stitch. Please let me know exatly how to do this. I love the looks of the afghan. Thanks

mmrb3618686

Jan 19, 2018

I love this pattern. It is another pattern to help you use up some of your older yarns or parts of a skein of yarn. You can decide what colors you want the blanket to be. A great gift for a new baby or someone who has purchased a new home.

Hippie Chick

Jan 19, 2018

Such a pretty blanket for a baby or a nursery. Would make a very nice baby shower gift. It truly looks like a rainbow with all of the bright colors. Since this is essentially just one big granny square, it will be so easy to make and a great beginner afghan for a newbie.

JaneEK

Oct 22, 2017

Sometimes the simpler the project, the greater the appeal. I know one of the first things I ever remember working in crochet was a Granny Square, and Im sure many people share that experience. The strong color blocking just adds to the appeal. There are no exotic stitches, no dramatic colors, just simple stitches and basic colors. Sometimes its really nice to get back to the fundamentals.

Tricia108

Jul 30, 2017

tGranny squares afghans are always popular. They are relatively easy to make as well. This "rainbow" afghan should be a hit since it is so colorful. You can make one in the rainbow colors and then make another one with different colors. They are very versatile as well. Thank you.

mulberrygalprinces s

Jul 21, 2017

Yet another great project for beginners or us old time hookers that just want to relax for a bit. It's so simple but turns out so pretty. People who don't crochet will think you worked your fingers off. Again, if you don't want to change colors, just get some variegated ombr yarn. It self shades itself. I love it. I am a purple freak so I get I in shDes of purple and it's gorgeous. I like that you can stop working at any point and pick right back up. No fancy stitches to keep track. Plus use thick yarn and turn it into different size throw rugs!

princess6860504

Apr 06, 2017

This rainbow stripe granny square throw is like a work of art. The colors can be kid oriented colors, too, for a playroom or naptime. But I love it for me and I am adult. I would like to use the Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn. They have a couple of really bright almost neon colors in green and pink that would be perfect for this project. Plus, they are really soft! I made a ripple afghan using that yarn and I cuddle up each night under it. This granny square will have you on autopilot in no time.

flossybum 2873682

Sep 30, 2016

Hi im trying to print the pattern for this lovely square from Ravelry and i cant print it could you please help me thank you

AFC Editor Julia

Sep 30, 2016

Hi flossybum, You can highlight the text of this pattern, then right click and select the Print option. That will print out just what you have highlighted here. I hope that helps! Julia, editor for AllFreeCrochet

Cheryl Y

Sep 10, 2016

I really do like this Rainbow Granny Square Throw, even if I don't like granny squares because of all the stitching together. With this pattern it's one large square, making it so much better! I love the colors chosen in this pattern they go well together. This pattern is very well written and easy to follow. This is on my to make list and will be doing it soon. Thank you so much for this free crochet project.