There’s something deeply satisfying about a striped blanket — the rhythm of color changes, the way a finished throw instantly warms up a room. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter looking for a relaxing home decor project, stripes are the perfect starting point. They make gifting easy too: a handmade striped throw always feels personal and polished. Here are 10 of my favorite free crochet striped blanket patterns to get you started.
1. Sunset Two-Tone Stripe Throw
This warm, inviting blanket pairs two rich sunset tones — think burnt orange and deep rust, or dusty rose and terracotta — in wide, sweeping stripes of double crochet. It’s an easy crochet striped blanket that looks far more complex than it actually is, making it a crowd-pleaser for crafters at every level. The generous stripe width means fewer color changes and faster progress, so you’ll see results quickly.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Commitment: 10–15 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 1,000–1,200 yards total (Lion Brand Pound of Love in two coordinating colors)
- Hook Size: K/10.5 (6.5 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 50″ × 60″
Pro Tip: When working wide double crochet stripes, carry the unused color loosely along the side edge rather than cutting and rejoining — you’ll save time and avoid dozens of ends to weave in.
2. Classic Rainbow Granny Stripe Afghan
Bold, cheerful, and completely irresistible, this rainbow crochet blanket uses the classic granny stitch worked in rows to create a textured stripe that’s more interesting than plain double crochet. Six colors cycle through in a predictable repeat, so once you’ve worked a few rows, the pattern becomes entirely automatic. It’s the kind of project that gets compliments at every stage — even a work-in-progress looks like art.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Commitment: 15–20 hours
- Yarn Estimate: About 200 yards per color, 1,200 yards total (Red Heart Super Saver in 6 colors)
- Hook Size: J/10 (6.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 48″ × 60″
Pro Tip: For granny stitch rows, work your last stitch of each row into the top of the turning chain rather than skipping it — it keeps your edges tidy and prevents the dreaded slanted sides.
3. Coastal Linen Stripe Blanket
Neutral, modern, and quietly beautiful, this moss stitch blanket in sandy, cream, and soft gray stripes fits perfectly into a farmhouse or coastal-themed home. The moss stitch (also called the linen stitch) creates a dense, woven-looking fabric that drapes beautifully and feels substantial without being heavy. This striped throw blanket crochet pattern is the one I always recommend to crafters who want something that looks elevated and intentional on their couch. The narrow stripe variations — two rows, then four rows, then two again — give it a designer feel without any extra effort.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Commitment: 18–22 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 1,400 yards total across 3 neutrals (Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Linen, Ecru, and Taupe)
- Hook Size: G/6 (4.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 45″ × 55″
Pro Tip: The moss stitch tends to pull in tightly, so go up one hook size from what the yarn label suggests and check your gauge with a 4″ swatch before starting your full width.
4. Chunky Weekend Stripe Throw
If you’ve ever wanted to finish a blanket in a single weekend, this is your pattern. Using bulky yarn and single crochet stitches, this chunky striped crochet blanket works up at a satisfying pace that feels almost magical for new crafters. The thick fabric is cozy and substantial, making it ideal for cold-weather gifting or a personal snuggle blanket on the sofa.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Commitment: 6–8 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 600–700 yards total (Bernat Blanket in 2–3 colors, one 300g skein each)
- Hook Size: N/15 (10.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 40″ × 50″
Pro Tip: With chunky single crochet, your tension can tighten as you fatigue — take breaks every 10 rows and loosen your grip slightly to keep your fabric even throughout.
5. Bobble Stripe Statement Blanket
This one is for the crafter who wants texture. Alternating rows of bobble stitches with flat double crochet rows creates a pattern that’s visually striking and wonderfully touchable — think rows of little pom-pom bumps separated by smooth, clean stretches of color. It’s a bold stripe crochet afghan that works especially well in two-color combinations where the bobble rows pop against a contrasting background. The technique is beginner-accessible once you’ve made your first few bobbles.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Time Commitment: 20–25 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 1,500 yards total in 2 colors (Caron Simply Soft in two contrasting shades)
- Hook Size: I/9 (5.5 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 48″ × 58″
Pro Tip: Bobbles tend to push to the wrong side of your work — after completing each bobble row, flip your blanket and use your fingers to pop each bobble to the right side before continuing.
6. Ripple Stripe Cozy Afghan
Wavy, warm, and endlessly relaxing to crochet, the ripple stitch combined with stripe color changes produces a blanket that feels like it belongs at a cozy lakeside cabin. Each color adds a new wave of personality, and the gentle rhythm of increases and decreases becomes second nature after just a few rows. I’ll be honest — I’ve made three versions of this pattern, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop. The crochet blanket stripes beginner-friendly structure makes it perfect for someone ready to graduate from basic rectangles.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Commitment: 15–20 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 1,200–1,400 yards across 4–6 colors (Red Heart Soft in coordinating palette)
- Hook Size: J/10 (6.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 50″ × 60″
Pro Tip: Count your stitches at the end of every other row when you’re learning the ripple — it’s much easier to fix a missed increase or decrease early than after several stripes have stacked up.
7. Baby Soft Pastel Stripe Blanket
Soft as a cloud and sweet as a nursery, this crochet baby striped blanket uses DK weight yarn in a gentle pastel palette — think mint, blush, lavender, and butter yellow — worked in simple half double crochet stripes. It’s sized perfectly for a stroller or crib and makes a genuinely cherished baby shower gift. The lightweight DK fabric feels luxurious without the bulk of worsted, and it drapes beautifully over a car seat or bassinet.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Commitment: 8–12 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 800 yards total across 4 colors (Paintbox Simply DK in pastel shades)
- Hook Size: G/6 (4.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 30″ × 36″
Pro Tip: For baby items, always weave in your ends twice — once in each direction — and trim closely, since small fingers and toes can catch on loose tails.
8. Boho Stripe Fringe Blanket
Earthy, eclectic, and full of personality, this blanket mixes stripe widths — some narrow, some wide — in warm terracotta, oatmeal, olive, and brown, then finishes the short ends with a full knotted fringe. It’s the definition of a crochet stripe throw that makes a statement without trying too hard. The mixed widths give it that collected, intentional look of something you’d find at a craft fair.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Commitment: 14–18 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 1,300 yards total across 4 earthy tones (Lion Brand Landscapes or Caron Simply Soft)
- Hook Size: K/10.5 (6.5 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 48″ × 56″ before fringe
Pro Tip: For even fringe, cut a piece of cardboard to your desired fringe length and wrap yarn around it before cutting — you’ll get perfectly uniform strands every time with no measuring.
9. Modern Colorblock Stripe Throw
This minimalist beauty features wide swaths of a single color — three or four rows deep — separated by one crisp row of a thin contrast color, creating a graphic, architectural look that feels right at home in a modern or Scandinavian-style living room. It’s a two color crochet blanket at heart, but the proportion play makes it feel genuinely sophisticated. I designed this one with a friend’s new apartment in mind, and she called it the most “grown-up” thing I’d ever made her.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Commitment: 10–14 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 900 yards main color + 300 yards contrast (Bernat Blanket in coordinating colors)
- Hook Size: N/15 (10.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 45″ × 55″
Pro Tip: When switching between your main color and contrast stripe, twist the yarns around each other at the join on the edge of your work — this prevents gaps and keeps your side seam looking neat without any extra sewing.
10. Ombre Fade Stripe Lap Blanket
This crochet striped lapghan uses five shades of a single color — from the palest blush or sky blue at one end to the deepest plum or navy at the other — to create a seamless gradient that looks like it was dip-dyed. Each shade gets an equal stripe width, and the transitions are as simple as changing colors at the row end. It’s a meditative, satisfying project, and the finished piece has the kind of subtle drama that makes people stop and ask how you did it.
Project Summary
- Skill Level: Easy
- Time Commitment: 10–14 hours
- Yarn Estimate: 250 yards per shade, 1,250 yards total (Caron Simply Soft in an ombre family — try their blues or purples)
- Hook Size: J/10 (6.0 mm)
- Finished Size: Approximately 36″ × 48″ (lap/sofa size)
Pro Tip: Arrange all five yarn skeins in gradient order before you begin and label them 1–5 with a small piece of masking tape — when you’re deep in a project and tired, you’ll be glad you don’t have to guess which shade comes next.
FAQs About Crochet Striped Blanket Patterns
What is the easiest crochet stitch for a striped blanket?
Single crochet and half double crochet are the two most beginner-friendly stitches for striped blankets. Single crochet creates a dense, firm fabric and is incredibly forgiving of uneven tension — perfect when you’re still developing your gauge. Half double crochet works up slightly faster and has a softer drape, which many crafters prefer for throws and lap blankets. Both stitches create clean, even stripes that let your color choices do the talking.
How do you change colors neatly in a crochet striped blanket?
The cleanest method is to complete the last yarn over of the final stitch in your current color using the new color — in other words, don’t finish the last pull-through with the old yarn; swap to the new one at that exact moment. This prevents a muddled half-stitch at the color boundary. If you’re carrying yarn up the side rather than cutting it, wrap the unused strand loosely around your working yarn every few rows to anchor it without pulling your edge tight.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet striped blanket?
For a standard throw (approximately 50″ × 60″), plan on 1,200 to 1,600 yards of worsted weight yarn total. A baby blanket (30″ × 36″) typically needs 600 to 900 yards depending on the stitch and weight. Bulky and super bulky projects use far fewer yardage numbers but heavier skeins — always calculate by yards, not by skein count, since skein weights vary widely between brands. When in doubt, buy one extra skein: dye lots vary between production runs, and you can’t always find an exact match later.
Can I make a crochet striped blanket with leftover yarn?
Absolutely — striped blankets are one of the best uses for a yarn stash. The key is keeping your yarn weights consistent: mixing worsted with bulky within the same blanket creates uneven tension and a lumpy finished fabric. Stick to one weight category (all worsted, or all DK, for example), and let your color instincts run free. Many beloved heirloom blankets were made entirely from scraps, with each stripe representing a different finished project.
What size should a crochet striped throw blanket be?
A standard throw blanket is typically 50″ × 60″ to 54″ × 64″, which is large enough to cover an adult on a couch but doesn’t overwhelm a chair or loveseat. A lap blanket (also called a lapghan) runs closer to 36″ × 48″. Baby blankets are usually 30″ × 36″ for crib use or slightly larger for stroller and play. Always check the finished size in a pattern before you begin — it’s much easier to add or subtract width before you cast on than to adjust mid-project.
Final Thoughts
Striped blankets are one of those projects that always deliver — they’re endlessly customizable, genuinely useful, and deeply satisfying to make from that first row to the final weave-in. Whether you’re choosing one of these designs for yourself or as a heartfelt handmade gift, I hope one of these patterns sparks that “I need to make this right now” feeling. For more inspiration, check out all of our free crochet blanket patterns — there’s always something new to fall in love with.