Ripple Rainbow Blanket- Free Crochet Blanket

This striking 12-point ripple design grows in soft, wavy rounds of color, creating a bold starburst effect. Alternating solid bands with white accents helps each shade really pop! Whether you make it for a baby gift, home decor, or just for the joy of using up your rainbow stash, this round ripple blanket will quickly become a favorite go-to project.

The pattern repeats are easy to follow, with shells and simple double crochets forming the rhythm of the ripple. Once you memorize a few rounds, you’ll find it’s a relaxing and satisfying make—perfect for evenings in with a cup of tea and some good yarn.

Finished Size: Approx. 45” wide, tip to tip.
Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate (basic stitch knowledge and increasing in the round)

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What you need

To make your own Ripple Rainbow Blanket, you’ll need:

• Worsted Weight Yarn (Medium/Category 4) in 7 colors:

  • Red/Orange (Center)

  • Yellow

  • Lime

  • Teal

  • Blue

  • Purple

  • White (used between all color transitions and final border)

Suggested yarn: Berroco Comfort Worsted or any soft, washable acrylic blend

• Hook: 5 mm (US H-8)

• Scissors

• Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)

• Measuring tape or ruler (optional, for checking size)

Instructions

There’s something magical about rainbow crochet – every row feels like a little celebration of color. This 12-pointed star blanket is a showstopper for nurseries, playrooms, or even as a cheerful lap throw. The star ripple design makes it look intricate, but once you get into the rhythm of the shells and repeats, it’s actually very meditative and works up beautifully.

I first fell in love with this style when I wanted something bright and modern but still cozy for a baby shower gift. The points of the star give it a playful twist on a traditional round ripple. What I really like is how the blanket naturally lays flat (thanks to that last white round of large shells). Plus, the color changes keep things interesting – and if you weave in your ends as you go, there’s hardly any finishing at the end (a win in my book!).

This version uses Berroco Comfort Worsted, a soft and washable yarn that’s lovely for baby projects, but you can easily swap in your favorite worsted-weight rainbow shades. Just make sure to keep that crisp white row between colors – it really makes the rainbow pop.

Finished Size: About 45” across from point to point
Hook: 5 mm (H) or whatever size gives you gauge
Gauge: 15 dc stitches and 8 rows = 4”
Skill Level: Confident Beginner to Intermediate

 

Blanket Pattern

Center Ring
With Color A, chain 4, join to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc), work 11 dc into ring (12 total). Join with sl st to top of beginning ch 2.

Round 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in each stitch around (24 total). Join.

Round 3: Ch 2, skip next dc, in following dc work (dc, ch 2, dc). Repeat around, finishing with dc in base of first stitch, ch 2, join.

Round 4: Slip into ch 2 space, work (ch 2, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in space. Large shell in next ch 2 space. Repeat around. Join.

Round 5: Sl st into next st, ch 2, large shell in ch 2 space, dc in next dc, skip 2 dc, dc in next st. Repeat around. Join.

Round 6: Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next st, large shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 2, skip 2, dc in next 2. Repeat. Join, cut yarn.

Round 7 (with White/G): Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 2, small shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 3, skip 2, dc in next 3. Repeat. Join, cut yarn.

Round 8 (with Color B): Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 2, large shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 3, skip 2, dc in next 3. Repeat. Join.

Round 9: Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 3, large shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 4, skip 2, dc in next 4. Repeat. Join.

Round 10: Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 4, small shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 5, skip 2, dc in next 5. Repeat. Join.

Round 11: Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 4, large shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 5, skip 2, dc in next 5. Repeat. Join.

Round 12: Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 5, large shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 6, skip 2, dc in next 6. Repeat. Join, cut yarn.

Round 13 (with White/G): Sl st into next st, ch 2, dc in next 6, small shell in ch 2 space, dc in next 7, skip 2, dc in next 7. Repeat. Join, cut yarn.

Color Sequence & Repeats

• Work 1 round of small shells in white, then 5 rounds in the next rainbow color, and so on.

• Always follow the rhythm: small shell round → large shell round → large shell round.

• Keep increasing dc stitches between shells as the blanket grows (following the established pattern).

Final Round

With White (G), finish with a large shell round. This gives the blanket those nice, crisp points that help it lay flat.

Weave in any last tails and block lightly to even out the star shape.

And there you have it – a joyful ripple star that’s just as fun to make as it is to gift.