This variegated yarn crochet blanket pattern lets self-striping yarn do all the work, blending colorful shades with one simple, relaxing stitch repeat.
The free crochet blanket pattern for variegated yarn pattern is below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF.
This free variegated yarn crochet pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.
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Astral Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern
The Astral Blanket is a colorful, low-effort project with high-impact results. This pattern uses self-striping, verigated yarn to blend muted shades together in a way that looks complex but couldn’t be easier to make. The stitch repeat is simple and meditative, making this a great project for beginners or anyone who wants some cruise-control crochet.
No color changes, no fuss, and no two blankets turn out exactly the same.
Grab your yarn and let the colors do the work!
Skill Level
This is an advanced beginner crochet pattern. In this project, you'll practice:
- basic stitches and stitch combos (double crochet)
- working flat
- measuring gauge
- stitch anatomy
- pattern reading
All-in-One Crochet Kit
If you don't live near amazing yarn stores or if you just like to get fun packages in the mail, the all-in-one kit is a perfect way to make your Astral Blanket. This bundle from Lion Brand includes all the Ferris Wheel you'll need, plus a bonus printable PDF of the pattern (delivered digitally).
Print this Pattern
Prefer to crochet on the couch? Need a portable, printable pattern? You'll love the premium PDF! The instantly downloadable, ad-free file is formatted for easy printing and includes the complete pattern, all the photo tutorials and the color planning guide.
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See the hooks first →“The best designed crochet hook I have used in 55 years of crocheting.” Mary M.
Supplies + Materials
Order an all-in-one kit from Lion Brand here.
• Lion Brand Ferris Wheel (Weight 4/Medium- 270 yds, 3 oz, 85 g)
- Color A: Imaginary Garden (217-608) – 2 skeins (approx. 170 g)
- Color B: Summer Day (217-601N) - 2 skeins (approx. 170 g)
- Color C: Buttercup (217- 605) - 1 skein (approx. 85 g)
- Color D: Pink Marmalade (217-611K) 1 skein (approx 85 g)
• Size H(5.0 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry needle
Measurements
38 x 53”
Gauge
5 blocks + 5.5 block rows = 4”
Abbreviations + Glossary (US Terms)
block – set of 3 double crochets
ch – chain
ch3sp – space created by 3 chains
dc – double crochet
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
slst – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
WS – wrong side
Color Planning
- Sample pictured includes 12-13 full rows of each ball of Ferris Wheel yarn. To make the most of your yarn though, you can also work until one color runs out and attach the next color mid-row.
To create the look pictured, use the balls of Ferris Wheel yarn in the following order:
- Color A
- Color B
- Color C
- Color D
- Color B
- Color A
Print This Pattern: purchase the ad-free, printable PDF
Overall Pattern Notes
- If you’re new to reading crochet patterns, check out more info here.
- Ch 3 counts as double crochet throughout.
- When counting rows, it’s easier to count only the double crochet (block stitch) rows because they’re taller. When a row count is given, it’s assumed that a single crochet + chain row is worked between each double crochet row.
!! Gauge !!
Checking your gauge is not mandatory in this pattern. It can help ensure your finished blanket is the expected size and uses the predicted amount of yarn though. Use the following instructions to create a gauge swatch if desired.
Foundation Row: Ch 37.
Row 1 (RS): Dc in fourth ch from hook (skipped chs count as first dc), dc in each ch across; turn. (35 dc)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in sp before next st, rep from * until 4 sts remain, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in top of tch; turn. (11 ch3sp + 2 edge sc)
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, *3 dc in next ch3sp, rep from * until one st remains, dc in last st; turn. (11 blocks + 2 dc)
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 seven more times (8 block stitch rows, not counting Row 1).
Measure the center 4 inches of your swatch vertically and horizontally, and count the blocks and block rows. Compare to pattern gauge listed above.
- If there are too many stitches in 4” horizontally, increase your hook size and re-swatch.
- If there aren’t enough stitches in 4” horizontally, decrease your hook size and re-swatch.
- If swatch is measuring too small vertically, make a deliberate effort to pull loops up a bit higher before completing each double crochet.
- If swatch is measuring too large vertically, make an effort to work the loops of each double crochet a little tighter.
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Main Blanket
To adjust your blanket width, chain any multiple of 3, plus 4. For example, 132 + 4 = 136 ch.
With color A:
Foundation Row: Ch 136.
Row 1 (RS): Dc in fourth ch from hook (skipped chs count as first dc), dc in each ch across; turn. (134 dc)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in sp before next st, rep from * until 4 sts remain, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in top of tch; turn. (44 ch3sp + 2 edge sc)
Row 3 (RS): Ch 3, *3 dc in next ch3sp, rep from * until one st remains, dc in last st; turn. (44 blocks + 2 dc)
Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in sp before next st, rep from * until 4 sts remain, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in top of tch; turn. (44 ch3sp + 2 edge sc)
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 for the entire blanket, following the color sequence listed in the Color Planning section, if desired. When you can’t finish a full row with the yarn you have left, join the next ball at the start of the row. If you run out mid-row, join the new ball where you stopped.
Continue until the blanket has 72 double crochet rows, not counting Row 1, or until half of your final ball remains, ending with a Row 3. (You will need half of the last ball, approximately 42 g, to work the final border around the blanket.)
Keep yarn attached and move to Border section.
Border
With attached yarn, begin working along top side of blanket in the opposite direction from your last blanket row. (The WS of the double crochet rows should be facing you.)
Round 1 (WS):
Top Edge: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in sp before next st, rep from * until 4 sts remain, ch 3, sk 3 sts, (sc, ch 3, sc) in last st (corner)...
First Long Side Edge: **Ch 3, sk side end of dc row and sc in side end of sc row, rep from ** to last dc row end, ch 3, sk last dc row end, (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner st….
Bottom Edge: Working in free loops of foundation ch, work as Top Edge from * to end…
Second Long Side Edge: Work as First Long Side Edge from ** to last dc row end, ch 3, sk last dc row end, (sc, ch 3) in first st; join with slst to first sc; turn. (234 ch3sp + 4 corner ch3sp. Side counts will vary if you worked fewer blanket rows.)
Working along long side of blanket with RS of double crochet blanket rows facing you:
Round 2 (RS): Slst in corner ch3sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), (ch 3, dc) in same sp, *3 dc in each ch3sp to next corner, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner ch3sp, rep from * 2 more times, 3 dc in each ch3sp to end; join with slst to top of beg ch 3. (234 dc blocks + 8 corner dc + 4 corner ch3sp)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing
Blocking: While blocking isn’t essential with a project like this, you may do a light steam blocking using either a steamer or iron with steam setting. (If any of your edges are slightly wavy, blocking will help.) Do not touch steamer or iron directly to yarn. Detailed info here.
One blanket down, endless color combos to go!
Permissions + Copyright:
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back this post. Do NOT use our photos as your own sales photos.
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