Knit an ‘After The Rain’ Rainbow Throw … FREE Pattern!

There is something quietly magical about a rainbow. It appears without warning, usually after a storm, and for a few minutes the sky becomes a canvas of color that feels almost too perfect to be real. That fleeting beauty is exactly what inspired the After The Rain Rainbow Throw — a knitted blanket that captures all that warmth and wonder and turns it into something you can wrap around your shoulders on a cold afternoon.

This is the kind of project that makes people stop and ask, “Did you make that?” And yes, you did. And you will be so proud of it.

Whether you are a seasoned knitter looking for your next big project or someone who has finished a few scarves and is ready to level up, this throw is genuinely achievable. The construction is straightforward, the stitch pattern is forgiving, and the color palette does most of the heavy lifting. What you end up with is a full-sized throw blanket that looks like it belongs in a high-end boutique but costs a fraction of what you would pay there, and carries a personal weight that no store-bought blanket ever could.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know to make your own After The Rain Rainbow Throw from start to finish.

Why This Blanket Deserves a Spot in Your Queue

Before we get into the pattern, let’s talk about why this particular project is worth your time and yarn budget.

First, the visual impact is extraordinary. A rainbow throw is one of those items that photographs beautifully, works in nearly any home décor style, and genuinely makes people happy when they see it. There is actual science behind why rainbows lift our mood — the progression of color from warm reds and oranges through cool blues and violets activates a kind of visual delight that we are wired to respond to. When that sequence is rendered in soft, chunky knitting, the effect is amplified rather than diminished.

Second, the construction method used here — knitting the blanket in horizontal stripes — is one of the most beginner-friendly approaches to a large project. You are never managing more than one color at a time. There are no complex color-work charts to follow, no stranding, no intarsia. You simply knit a section, change colors, and continue. The complexity lives in the color selection and the transitions, not in any tricky technique.

Third, this project is deeply satisfying to work on. Large projects can sometimes feel like they are going nowhere, but because you change colors regularly, you get a visible sense of progress with every stripe. Watching the rainbow grow row by row is genuinely motivating in a way that a plain single-color blanket rarely is.

And fourth — it is free. The full pattern is right here, and you do not need to buy anything except your materials.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials right is one of the most important steps in any knitting project, and for a rainbow throw, your yarn choices carry the whole visual weight of the finished piece.

Yarn: You will need a bulky or super bulky weight yarn in seven colors. The classic rainbow order is red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet — but do not feel constrained by tradition. Many knitters have made stunning versions of this throw using gradient palettes (think blush through burgundy), ocean tones (aqua through navy through seafoam), or even a muted, dusty vintage-inspired rainbow. The quantity you need per color depends on the finished size you are aiming for, but as a general guide, plan on approximately 150 to 200 yards per color for a throw that measures roughly 48 by 60 inches. If you are using a super bulky yarn, you will need less yardage but will go through skeins more quickly.

Look for yarns that have a similar weight and texture across your color choices. If you are buying all from the same brand and yarn line, this is simple. If you are stash-busting with a mix of brands, hold the skeins next to each other and check that the plies and textures are compatible. Nothing undermines a beautiful color sequence like a section that looks or feels dramatically different from the rest.

Some yarns that work beautifully for this project include Lion Brand Thick & Quick, Malabrigo Rasta, Cascade Magnum, and Bernat Blanket Yarn. All of these come in wide enough color ranges to build a full rainbow, and they each have a wonderful hand for a cozy throw.

Needles: For a bulky yarn, you will generally want US size 13 (9mm) to US size 15 (10mm) circular needles, at least 32 inches long. Even though you are knitting flat (back and forth in rows rather than in the round), circular needles give you the room to accommodate the large stitch count of a full-width blanket without everything bunching up on a short straight needle.

Other supplies: scissors, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers if you want them, and a tape measure.

Gauge

Gauge for this project is approximately 8 to 10 stitches and 12 to 14 rows per 4 inches in stockinette stitch using bulky weight yarn and US 13 needles. Because this is a throw blanket rather than a garment, exact gauge is not critical — a few stitches off will change the final dimensions slightly but will not affect the overall outcome. That said, do knit a quick swatch if you want to be precise about your finished size. It only takes a few minutes and can save you a lot of recalculation later.

Pattern Notes

Before you begin, a few notes that will make the process go more smoothly.

When changing colors, you can either cut the yarn and weave in the end, or you can carry the yarn up the side if you plan to return to it within a few stripes. For a full rainbow throw where each color appears in a continuous block before transitioning, cutting and weaving in ends is often cleaner and easier to manage. Yes, it creates more ends to deal with at the finish, but it eliminates the problem of floats and carried yarn along the edges.

For the edges, this pattern uses a simple slipped stitch selvage. On every row, slip the first stitch purlwise with the yarn held to the front, then bring the yarn to the back and continue knitting. This creates a tidy, chained edge that looks intentional and finished, and it makes picking up a border later (if you choose to add one) much more straightforward.

The pattern is written for a throw approximately 48 inches wide and 60 inches long. You can scale it up or down by adjusting your cast-on number and the number of rows per stripe. As a rule, each additional 10 stitches will add approximately 4 inches to your width.

The Free Pattern: After The Rain Rainbow Throw

Finished Measurements: Approximately 48 inches wide by 60 inches long

Yarn: Bulky weight (US 5 / 100g), approximately 150–200 yards each in 7 colors (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)

Needles: US size 13 (9mm) circular needles, 32 inches or longer

Gauge: 9 stitches and 13 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Abbreviations:

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• sl1 = slip 1 stitch purlwise
• BO = bind off

Pattern:

Using Color 1 (Red), cast on 108 stitches.

Selvage Setup: On every row, slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn held to the front before beginning the row pattern. This applies to every row throughout the blanket.

Stripe Sequence: Each color section is worked in stockinette (knit on RS rows, purl on WS rows) for 22 rows before changing to the next color. This creates stripes of approximately 7 inches in height. Work through the full color sequence as follows: Red (Color 1), Orange (Color 2), Yellow (Color 3), Green (Color 4), Blue (Color 5), Indigo (Color 6), Violet (Color 7).

After completing all seven stripes in sequence, you may bind off for a blanket that is approximately 49 inches long, or you can repeat the sequence (or a partial sequence) to achieve a longer blanket.

Row by Row Instructions (one stripe):

Row 1 (RS): Sl1, knit to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): Sl1, purl to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have completed 22 rows (11 RS rows and 11 WS rows).

Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Join next color and continue.

Repeat this sequence for each of the seven colors.

Bind Off: Using the last color (Violet), or returning to Red for a full-circle rainbow effect, bind off all stitches loosely on a RS row. A stretchy bind off such as the standard knitted bind off or a sewn bind off will give you the most flexibility in the finished edge.

Finishing: Weave in all ends securely. Block the finished blanket by soaking it in cool water, gently pressing out the excess moisture in a towel, then laying flat to dry. Blocking will even out your tension, smooth the fabric, and give the blanket a polished, professional look. For a throw this size, plan for it to take 24 to 48 hours to dry fully depending on your climate.

Optional Add-Ons and Customizations

One of the best things about a simple stripe blanket is how completely customizable it is. Here are some ideas for making this throw uniquely yours.

Garter stitch stripes instead of stockinette: If you prefer a fabric that lies completely flat without any tendency to curl, swap the stockinette for garter stitch (knitting every row). Garter stitch creates a slightly shorter, denser fabric with a beautiful ridged texture. Your gauge will change slightly, so swatch accordingly.

Add a border: Once you have finished weaving in your ends, you can pick up stitches around the entire perimeter of the blanket and work a simple garter stitch border in your choice of color — white or cream creates a clean framing effect, while black gives a bold, graphic edge. Work 8 to 10 rounds of garter stitch, then bind off. Mitering the corners will give you the neatest finish.

Gradient transitions: Instead of changing colors abruptly at the stripe boundary, try a fade transition. Work 4 rows of the old color, then 2 rows alternating between old and new color (in a stripe pattern of 2 rows each), then 4 rows of the new color alone before continuing. This softens the boundary and creates a more painterly, watercolor effect.

Personalized color palette: As mentioned earlier, the rainbow does not have to follow the traditional ROYGBIV sequence. Some of the most stunning versions of this throw have been made in completely unexpected combinations. A holiday version in cranberry, forest green, cream, and gold is warm and festive. A desert palette of terracotta, sand, burnt sienna, dusty sage, and clay is sophisticated and earthy. A muted, dusty version using colors like mauve, blush, lavender, sage, and powder blue is deeply elegant. Let your own taste and home environment guide you.

Tassel or fringe finish: Once the blanket is done and blocked, cutting lengths of your rainbow yarns and attaching them as fringe along the two short ends adds a bohemian, festive element that leans into the joyful spirit of the rainbow motif. Cut strands about 16 inches long, fold them in half, pull the loop through the edge, and draw the ends through the loop to secure. Trim to an even length.

Tips for Staying Motivated on a Big Project

Long projects are genuinely wonderful, but they can sometimes stall. Here are some strategies that work especially well for a rainbow throw.

Set up a simple jar or basket system at the start of your project. Label one section for each color and prewind your yarn into separate portions if you are not working from full skeins. Having everything organized and visible makes the project feel more manageable and gives you a clear picture of your progress.

Take photos at each color transition. Not only does this document your progress beautifully — and trust us, the build of a rainbow blanket is stunning to photograph stripe by stripe — but it also gives you a record you can share with your knitting community or look back on with satisfaction when it is done.

Find a buddy. Whether that is someone physically knitting alongside you, a virtual knit-along on social media, or just a friend who checks in on your progress, accountability is a powerful motivator. Tag your progress photos with #AfterTheRainThrow so we can celebrate along with you.

Do not be afraid to pause and start something small between stripes. There is no rule that says you have to work through a large project without interruption. Finishing a quick hat or a pair of wristlets between your Green and Blue stripes is completely valid and might actually send you back to the throw with renewed enthusiasm.

Caring for Your Finished Throw

A handknit blanket is a significant investment of time and love, and it deserves to be cared for properly so it lasts for years.

Most bulky acrylic yarns can be machine washed on a gentle cold cycle and laid flat to dry. Check the label of your specific yarn — many are also dryer-safe on low heat, though air drying will always extend the life of your knitting.

Natural fiber blankets (wool, alpaca, cotton blends) should be hand washed in cool water with a gentle wool wash, then pressed dry in a towel and laid flat. Never wring or agitate a wool blanket, as this will cause felting.

Store your blanket folded in a breathable cotton bag or on a shelf with a cedar block nearby if you are in a region with moths.

Sharing Your Make

When you finish your After The Rain Rainbow Throw, we would absolutely love to see it. Share your finished object photos on Instagram, Pinterest, or Ravelry, and tag KnitHacker so we can celebrate your work with you. There is truly nothing more satisfying than seeing the full spectrum of colors finished and blocked and ready to bring joy to a home.

This blanket makes a show-stopping gift for a new home, a baby shower, a graduation, a birthday, or just because someone in your life deserves to be wrapped in a little color and warmth. It is the kind of thing that lives on for decades, gets draped over the back of every couch it ever touches, and becomes the thing people reach for on rainy Sunday mornings without even thinking about it.

And isn’t that exactly the point? After the rain comes the rainbow. After the hours and the rows and the color changes and the ends woven in — comes something lasting and beautiful.

Cast on, and let’s make one.

Happy knitting from everyone at KnitHacker — where art and yarn hook up!