17 Variegated Yarn Crochet Patterns (All Free!)
Not all patterns are created equal when it comes to crochet blanket patterns for variegated yarn. The 17 patterns in this article are specifically designed for multicolor yarn, so you can be confident using a self-striping yarn.
This collection of crochet blanket patterns for variegated yarn, will have your fingers itching to get a project on your hook and begin crocheting right away! You’ll love using these variegated yarn crochet patterns because of how easy they make it to create a pretty striped effect without having to weave all those pesky ends.
Discovering just how your multicolor yarn will look once it’s used in an afghan is a fun adventure – different stitches can give the same multi-colored yarn a totally different look.
If you’re using the moss stitch, you’ll probably have a very gradual shift from color to color. If you’re using a taller stitch, it might be more sudden. But, of course this all depends on how quickly the yarn changes shades.
What are the Best Variegated Yarns?
There are so many beautiful color-changing yarns to choose from. Some are self-striping and have large sections of yarn in the same colors. Others are ombre and change colors gradually. Below you’ll find a collection of some of my favorite multi-colored yarns.
- Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn Prints – Oasis Beat is a personal favorite. Also check out After Dinner Laughs.
- Hobbii Butterfly Yarn – This self-striping yarn comes in several beautiful shades. I especially like Morpho and Monarch.
- Mandala Ombre – This Lion Brand yarn is a beautiful option. I love the texture and the shade Tranquil is one of my favorite color palettes of all time.
- Red Heart Super Saver Ombre – Red Heart Super Saver Ombres transition so beautifully from color to color. While it is not the softest yarn, it can be washed with fabric softener and tossed in the dryer to soften it up quite a bit.
My love for multicolor yarn doesn’t go back very far, so this list isn’t very big yet. If you know of a great ombre yarn that I’m missing, please let me know!
Mixing Multicolor Yarns with Solids
If you’ve been hesitant to try variegated yarns, you’re not alone. I kept my distance for a long time because I loved being in control of my color changes.
But, once I started playing with multi-colored and self-striping yarn, I found that I loved them. One of my favorite ways to use them is to pair them with a solid yarn.
Adding in a solid color border on a blanket or a band on a hat has a way of tying everything together and giving your project a unified look.
What is the Best Crochet Stitch for Variegated Yarn?
While there are many stitches that look beautiful using a variegated or self-striping yarn, I think the moss stitch is one of the stitches that looks the best with any and all variegated yarns. The color transitions will be very subtle and gradual because of the nature of the stitch.
If you’re unfamiliar with the moss stitch, you can find a tutorial here.
What Crochet Patterns Work Well with Color Changing Yarn?
Due to the self-striping effect of variegated yarn, some crochet patterns work better than others! The following group of free blanket crochet patterns have all been tested ahead of time, to remove any concern you may have.
Crochet blankets are often easy to stitch and keep us snuggly during the cooler months. With all of these patterns, you’ll be able to try out lots of colors using many yarn colorways to create a variety of multicolored masterpieces!
Now scroll through and choose a pattern that’s absolutely perfect for your favorite variegated skeins. Happy Crocheting!
1. RAINBOW MOSS STITCH BLANKET
Don’t you love a colorful rainbow? One of the best things about using self-striping yarns to crochet a colorful blanket is the fact that there is no need to weave a bunch of ends once you’ve finished your blanket. The rainbow effect comes about with much less effort when the yarn does all the work!
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: intermediate (learn corner to corner C2C technique!)
2. SKY & SEA BLANKET
This free crochet blanket pattern uses a repetitive, basic stitch which will allow you to relax while crocheting this beauty. No matter your crochet experience level, you’ll want to make this double crochet stitch blanket pattern using a beautiful patterned yarn.
This blanket is made using my favorite blue variegated yarn. It’s Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn in the shade Oasis Beat.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: beginner
3. SPILL THE BEANS BABY BLANKET
I don’t think handmade baby blankets will ever go out of style. They hold the love of the one who made them, and when they’re this beautiful, they become family heirlooms and get passed down from baby to baby. This free crochet pattern uses both a basic block color along with your choice of complimentary variegated yarn for a striking look.
Yarn Weight: DK 3-light
Skill Level: beginner
4. WATTLE STITCH BLANKET
This wattle stitch used in this blanket is beginner-friendly and this free blanket pattern is another relaxing project. You’ll find that the wonderfully repetitive pattern (just using straight back and forth rows) is something you can pick up to occupy your hands while on the go or while you’re watching your current Netflix series.
Yarn Weight: DK 3-light
Skill Level: beginner
5. COZY CHUNKY BLANKET
Crocheting a thick blanket with bulky yarn, works up very quickly and they make for great cozy gifts. So if you’re thinking about gifting blankets this year at Christmas, this may be just the free chunky blanket pattern you’re looking for. Just adjust the width of the blanket to achieve various sizes.
Yarn Weight: bulky 5-chunky
Skill Level: advanced beginner
6. VANILLA BLUSH BABY BLANKET
Using a modern day wave-style stitch, the Vanilla Blush Baby Blanket Pattern has a beautiful squish to it! Using color changing yarn means it’s faster to crochet, than if you wanted to change colors yourself to create stripes, although the pattern allows for either method.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: advanced beginner
7. SAND AND SEA BABY BLANKET
The name of this free crochet blanket pattern takes me away to memories of family vacations. But if your family trips are in the mountains, rather than by the ocean, you might choose colored cakes of yarn that reflect that memory instead! This free crochet pattern comes with suggestions of how to easily adjust the size of your blanket.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: beginner
8. Variegated Yarn BEACHCOMBER BLANKET
This variegated yarn blanket pattern comes in 3 sizes (baby blanket, throw rug and full size), although it’s very easily adjusted to any size you’d like. This straightforward free crochet pattern has an easy 2 row repeat, which makes it a great on-the-go project for when you’re busy.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: beginner
9. SIMPLE TEXTURE CROCHET BLANKET
Learn how to crochet this eye-catching blanket using only basic crochet stitches! The beginner-friendly blanket pattern uses a soft cotton yarn, making this textured blanket, sensitive skin friendly. There’s a fringe border on this blanket too, which makes it look quite stylish, like the fancy throws you see in home decor magazines!
Yarn Weight: DK 3-light
Skill Level: beginner
10. SUMMERTIME POPSICLE BLANKET
This super sweet Summertime Popsicle crochet blanket pattern would make a fantastic first graphgan project! There’s instructional videos included with the free pattern, to help you learn new crochet skills. You’ll find the finished blanket is super soft, has a beautiful texture and great drape, making it the perfect baby blanket.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: intermediate (crochet your first graphgan blanket!)
11. Variegated Yarn DAPHNE AFGHAN
Using a reverse granny square technique, the Daphne Afghan free crochet pattern must be added to your need to make Afghan patterns list! It’s simple, it’s colorful and fun! You’ll hook 4 simple triangular pieces – similar to a crochet shawl – and then link them all together into a striking blanket.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: beginner
12. GRANNY STRIPE CROCHET BLANKET
This very easy to crochet blanket pattern uses bright rainbow cakes of variegated yarn, using the granny stripe technique, similar to the pattern above. Of course, you can choose your own colourways, but the rainbow looks amazing, doesn’t it? Any little girl would love to have this bright blanket added to her bed this fall.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: beginner
13. THE WATERFALL BLANKET
The original Waterfall Blanket is named this, as it uses Bernat blanket yarn shades of blue and white, but your throw can be any multicolored combination! You’ll love the zig zag waves and the cute tassel add some fun personality to the design. There’s a video included to help you along, too!
Yarn Weight: 6-super bulky
Skill Level: advanced beginner
14. COLOR KALEIDOSCOPE BLANKET
This beautiful blanket pattern is crocheted holding two strands of yarn together. Use two variegated yarns or pair a solid and multi-colored yarn together to get a different look every time.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: beginner
15. SUMMER BOARDWALK BABY BLANKET
If you’ve been on the look out for a more modern, simple and clean design blanket pattern, then you’ve found it. Using only single crochet stitches, the Summer Boardwalk Baby Blanket will be east to hand-make a gift from the heart. This blanket will definitely be received with love.
Yarn Weight: DK 3-light
Skill Level: Beginner
16. BROAD STRIPE BABY BLANKET
If you’ve been looking fora simple blanket crochet pattern to use with a colorful, self-striping yarn then here we go. Not only does this blanket offer beautiful stripes, this pretty baby blanket is also full of beautiful texture. The crochet stitch and the edging used aren’t difficult to crochet, but look great when the project is complete.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: advanced beginner
17. TIMES SQUARE BABY BLANKET
To finish this collection of the best free crochet patterns to use with variegated yarn skeins, I’ve found this gorgeous baby blanket that’s a little more advanced and time consuming in its technique. But, with the squares and bobble border, it’s very eye-catching and will be a very interesting project to make!
The photos are from the link above, but the free pattern is available here.
Yarn Weight: worsted 4-medium
Skill Level: intermediate
Want More Crochet Blanket Patterns?
I have lots of free crochet blanket patterns here on the Daisy Cottage Designs website. If you’re looking for a beautiful blanket to make, try one of these patterns. I believe they’d look beautiful in a speckled or variegated yarn, too, though I haven’t tried it on these patterns.
z
Beautiful collection. Thank for including my blanket!
These are just awesome and I have several of your patterns that I have made and they work up so nice. Love your work and can’t wait to try more. Thank you so much.
Marylin99
I really want to make #15, Summer Boardwalk Baby Blanket because of its beautiful colors – but as an evening throw. We have a lake home that is in need of some pretty touches on one of the beds and I love these colors. I am fairly new to your site, and trying to get back to crochet after being away for a couple of years. What is your recommendation for changes to the size to make this into a throw blanket?
Hi Lauren, I absolutely love the water fall throw, can I make this with number 5 yarn? I love the color and the chevron stitch, my favorite. I would like to make this as a blanket with your color but with a number 5 yarn. is that possible?
my e-mail is kitchnmaid@aol.com. my name is Donna…. thank you in advance for your help.
All the blankets are beautiful.
I cant wait to start on them . They are all stunning. Thank you
I’ve enjoyed working with Premier Batik Cotton and Premier Anti-Pilling multi-colored yarns.
So Beautiful … 🌟
Thank 🌸 You
I made your rainbow moss stitch blanket for my grand daughter It was so fun and fast. I love it and I sure she will too.
Your blankets are gorgeous and I cannot wait to make many more.
Than you
Thank you very much for your kindness in sharing these patterns & links to stitches that we may be unfamiliar with.
I look forward to receiving your future emails.
Best wishes ❤️
Karen x
Thank you for the lovely patterns! They are beautiful!
I have “lost” my crochet “mojo” but after 18 months of life changes, some good some stressful, I was looking at all these beautiful blankets, I am picking up my crochet hook again! Crocheting and being mindful of the beautiful texture and feel of good yarn (I love Hobby Lobby’s yarns), watching the transformation of a single strand of yarn transform into something so beautiful, artistic, useful, etc. has me wanting to crochet all these beautiful pieces. Some will be kept for myself and family, others will go to those in need of some warmth and comfort, but I thank you, Lauren for the this inspiration and sharing your talents and gifts. God is good, so is crocheting! Many thanks!
DO YOU HAVE INSTRUCTIONS AND TUTORIAL FOR AN OVAL PLACEMAT?