This easy multicolor crochet blanket pattern uses self-striping yarn to create an organic ombre look. By not always breaking the yarn between stripes you’re left with fewer ends to weave in!
Grab your favorite shade of Lion Brand Mandala and embark on an effortless rainbow stripe adventure. The free multicolor crochet blanket pattern is below, or you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF.
This multicolor crochet blanket pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.
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Best Crochet Stitches Color-Changing Yarn
I find that self-striping yarn works best in two types of crochet patterns.
Simple Stitches
Patterns that use basic crochet stitches work well with self-striping or variegated yarn. Ripple stitches and other common crochet stitches for blankets allow the beauty of the yarn to shine through.
In my experience, more visually complicated stitches can look busy with variegated yarn. Some of the stitch detail is lost in the color changes of the yarn.
Here are a few of my favorite simple crochet stitch patterns:
Combined With Solid Color Yarn
One of my favorite ways to use self-striping yarn is to combine it with a solid color. This is the approach we’re taking with the Chroma Stripes Blanket.
Here are a few more multicolor crochet blanket patterns that combine a colorful yarn with a solid.
Designing Your Own Blanket or Afghan
Do you love coming up with your own new patterns? These resources will make the process much easier.
Multicolor Blanket Stitch
The “pinwheel” stripes use a simple crochet stitch repeat that will become second nature after a few rows. The Catherine Wheel stitch can look intimidating, so let’s talk it through in simple language.
How to Crochet the Catherine Stitch
Cluster Tip: The main cluster is always worked over seven stitches. At the beginning or end of a row, though, the pattern will indicate when you should instead work a cluster only over 3 or 4 stitches.
Catherine Stitch Video Tutorial
This afghan pattern is easy and meditative once you get the hang of the row repeat. Watch the video tutorial below to learn the basic instructions for the Catherine stitch.
(If you have an ad-blocker running, you’ll need to disable it to view the video.)
Best Multicolor Yarns for Blankets
Using a multicolor yarn is an easy way to crochet vibrant baby blankets and throws, without leaving many ends to weave in.
Lion Brand Mandala
We’re using one of my favorite self-striping yarns in this multicolor crochet blanket pattern, Lion Brand Mandala. I love Mandala because it’s available in several mix-and-match lines.
Here are the other types of Mandala yarn:
- Mandala Sequins Yarn
- Mandala Bonus Bundle Yarn
- Mandala Watercolors Yarn
- Mandala Tweed Stripes Yarn
- Mandala Ombre Yarn
- Mandala Thick & Quick Yarn
- Mandala Sparkle Yarn
- Mandala Baby Yarn
- Mandala Yarn
RELATED: The Best Lion Brand Mandala Crochet Patterns
Substituting Mandala for Worsted Weight Yarn
Do you love fast blanket patterns? Holding two strands of Mandala can make your colorful blankets come together more quickly.
On its own, Mandala is a lightweight category 3 yarn. When doubled, though, it works up more like a worsted-weight yarn.
Mandala is very similar in weight to Lion Brand Pound of Love, so we like to use the two yarns together in our multicolor blankets.
More Self-Striping Yarns
Here are a few more yarns that include several shades in one ball and eliminate the need to fasten off your yarn for color changes.
Variegated Yarns
While variegated yarns can add texture and color to crochet afghans, I don’t recommend using one for the Chroma Stripes Blanket. Instead, pair a variegated yarn with a basic stitch like half double or double crochet.
Solid granny squares can also show off the color combinations of this type of yarn well.
All-in-One Crochet Kit
If you want the most Mandala color options for your blanket, the all-in-one kit is a perfect way to make your Chroma Stripes Blanket. This bundle from Lion Brand includes all the Mandala and Pound of Love yarn 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.
More Free Baby Blanket Patterns
If you love crocheting blankets for babies, you’ll love these free crochet patterns.
More free baby blanket patterns →
Free Pattern – Chroma Stripes Blanket
Explanation:
Grab your favorite shade of Lion Brand Mandala and set forth on an effortless color adventure. This multicolor crochet blanket pattern leans into the self-striping nature of the yarn to create an organic ombre look without always breaking the yarn between stripes.
This makes for fewer ends to weave in! The “pinwheel” stripes use a simple stitch repeat that will become second nature after a few rows.
Jump into this deceptively simple crochet blanket pattern to create your own relaxing rainbow.
Supplies + Materials
Order an all-in-one kit from Lion Brand.
• Lion Brand Pound of Love (Weight: 4/medium – 1020yds, 16 oz, 454 g)
- COLOR A: White (550-100) – 2 skeins (approx. 675g)
• Lion Brand Mandala (Weight: 3/light – 590 yds, 5.3 oz, 150 g)
- COLOR B: Chimera (525-204) – 2 skeins (approx 190 g)
• Size L (8.00 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Size K (6.5 mm) crochet hook for border
Skill Level:
Intermediate (although the video tutorial above breaks this stitch down in a way that advanced beginners can try too)
Measurements
35 X 41”
Gauge
4 pinwheel clusters = 9”
12 rows = 9”
Abbreviations + Glossary (US Terms)
ch – chain
CL – cluster (see special stitches)
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
rep – repeat
RS – right side
Sc – single crochet
slst – slip stitch
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
WS – wrong side
yo – yarn over
How to Make a Catherine Wheel Cluster
Special Stitches: CLUSTER (CL): * Yo, insert hook into specified st, pull up 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops**, rep from * to ** for the number of stitches indicated in the pattern, yo pull through all loops on hook.
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Explained in plain language:
- You’re working the first half of a double crochet in each stitch the pattern calls for (either 7, 4 or 3 stitches).
- Instead of finishing the double crochet by yarning over and pulling through the two loops on your hook, you move onto the next stitch and work a partial double crochet.
- As you work each partial double crochet, one additional loop will remain on your hook. At the end of working all the stitches, yarn over and pull through all the loops on your hook.
Cluster Tip: The main cluster is always worked over seven stitches. At the beginning or end of a row though, the pattern will indicate when you should instead work a cluster only over 3 or 4 stitches.
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 to this post. Do NOT use our photos as your own sales photos.
Overall Pattern Notes
• Important: Pattern is worked with two strands held together throughout. (Two strands of Color A in each Color A row and two strands of Color B in each Color B row.)
• To switch colors at the end of a row, complete the final yarn over of the double crochet using the new color. Pattern is written assuming that the last double crochet before a color change will be worked this way.
•Ch 3 counts as dc throughout.
Tips for Perfect Rainbow Stripes
• Cakes of self-striping yarn don’t necessarily begin with the same color. To ensure the cleanest-looking stripes, you’ll want to align both skeins of Mandala so they begin with the shade.
This may mean you need to wind off some of one cake to access the appropriate “starting” color. Save this ball as it will need to be reattached at the appropriate point in the stripes. Read more about controlling Mandala yarn colors here.
• In the sample pictured, the color changes are “forced” after each set of two colored stripes to avoid a natural color change mid-row. This means Color B is cut and reattached in the next Color B row with the next Mandala color.
This does result in some yarn in most colors going unused, but it also creates a more uniform striping pattern. Do what works for your creative vision!
• Do not cut yarn at end of each row except when forcing color changes between the stripes of Mandala as described above. Instead, carry the unused Color A/B loosely up the side of the blanket.
The final border will cover any carried yarn. Similarly, crochet over yarn tails whenever possible to avoid weaving them in.
How To Modify Blanket Size
To modify your blanket width, chain any multiple of 10 + 7.
For example: 207 chains = [(10 x 20) + 7]
Main Blanket
With Color A and larger hook:
Foundation Row: Ch 97.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end of row; turn (96 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, *sk 3 sts, 7 dc in next st, sk 3 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * across to last 4 st, sk 3 sts, work 4 dc in last st; turn.
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With Color A:
Row 7 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, * 3 sc in ch3sp, sc in ch that closed CL, sc in next ch3sp, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts, sc in each of last 2 sts; turn. Keep yarn attached.
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Border
Border is worked in turned rounds with (sc, ch 2, sc) worked in corner points.
With WS facing, using attached Color A yarn and smaller hook:
Round 1 (WS):
Step 1: Across Short Edge: Ch 1, sc in first st and in each st to end of row, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner point…
Step 2: Across Long Edge: Place *2 sc in each raw row edge (i.e. 1 in top section of dc, 1 in bottom section of dc) and 1 sc in each cluster center until corner point, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner point…
Repeat Step 1 and 2 one more time, join with slst to first sc; turn.
Round 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch2sp, sc in first sc and in each st to corner, (sc, ch 2 sc) in corner ch2sp, rep from * around , join with slst to first sc; turn.
Round 3 (WS): Repeat Row 2.
Round 4 (RS):
Beginning of Side 4: Ch 1, slst in first sc, sc in next st, hdc in next st, 3 dc in corner ch2sp…
Side 1: Hdc in next st, sc in next st, slst in next 2 sts, *sc in next st, hdc in next st, 3 dc in next st, hdc, in next st, sc in next st, slst in next 2 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts before corner, sc in next st, hdc in last st, 3 dc in corner ch2sp…
Side 2: Hdc in next st, sc in next st, slst in next 2 sts, *sc in next st, hdc in next st, 3 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, slst in next 2 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts before corner, sc in next st, hdc in last st, 3 dc in corner ch2sp…
Side 3: Repeat Side 2.
Remainder of Side 4: *Sc in next st, hdc in next st, 3 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, slst in next 2 sts, rep from * to end of side, join with slst to first sc. Fasten off.
Weave in any remaining ends and admire your chromatic creation!
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Learn a New Skill
When you’re ready to master a new skill, check out our detailed guides that include everything you need to know to level up your crochet game.
- How to Corner to Corner (C2C) Crochet for Beginners – with video tutorials to get you started
- How to Crochet a Beginner Hat – make an entire beanie in 1.5 hours!
- How to Crochet Amigurumi for Beginners – the ultimate guide to making your own toys and plushies
- How to Tunisian Crochet – learn with this video and a standard hook
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Invitation to our Facebook group
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How to Crochet a Multicolor Blanket
Materials
Yarn
- Color A: Lion Brand Pound of Love Weight: 4/medium – 1020yds, 16 oz, 454 g
- White 550-100 – 2 skeins (approx. 675g)
- Color B: Lion Brand Mandala Weight: 3/light – 590 yds, 5.3 oz, 150 g
- Chimera 525-204 – 2 skeins (approx 190 g)
Additional Supplies
- Size L 8.00 mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Size K 6.5 mm crochet hook for border
Abbreviations + Glossary (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- CL – cluster (see special stitches)
- dc – double crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- rep – repeat
- RS – right side
- sc – single crochet
- slst – slip stitch
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- tch – turning chain
- WS – wrong side
- yo – yarn over
Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
Want some company while you crochet?
Get support (and camaraderie!) in the Make & Do Crochet Crew Facebook Group. Search “Make and Do Crochet Crew” on Facebook.com.
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 to this page. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos.
Overall Pattern Notes
Instructions
Chroma Stripes Multicolor Crochet Blanket Pattern Overview
- 1. Start crocheting the main blanket with Color A and larger hook.
- 2. Single crochet in second ch from hook in Row 1 and Row 2 ch 1, sc in first 2 sts.
With Color B:
- 3. Ch 1 sc in first 2 sts on Row 3. Ch 3, 3dc in first st on Row 4.
With Color A:
- 4. Ch 3 sk first st on Row 5 and ch 1, sc in first 2 sts on Row 6.
- 5. Repeat Rows 3-6 13 more times. Rows 3-4 with Color B and Rows 5-6 with Color A.
- 6. Repeat Rows 3-5 with color once more, ending with Color A Row.
- 7. Blanket should contain 14 full and 2 partial stripes of Color A and 14 full stripes of Color B then fasten off Color B.
With Color A:
- 8. With Color A, ch 1, in first st on Row 7.
Border
- 9. Work on the border in turned rounds.
- 10. Start with Round 1 and 2. For Round 3, Repeat Row 2. Then Round 4.
- 11. Weave in any remaining ends and admire your chromatic creation!
Overall Pattern Notes
- Important: Pattern is worked with two strands held together throughout. (Two strands of Color A in each Color A row and two strands of Color B in each Color B row.)
- Do not cut yarn at end of each row except when forcing color changes between the stripes of Mandala as described above. Instead carry the unused Color A/B loosely up the side of the blanket. The final border will cover any carried yarn. Similarly, crochet over yarn tails whenever possible to avoid weaving them in.
- To switch colors at the end of a row, complete the final yarn over of the double crochet using the new color. Pattern is written with the assumption that the last double crochet before a color change will be worked this way.
- Scroll up for the detailed pattern instructions.
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