Rainbow Fade Hexagon Blanket

Rainbow Fade Hexagon Blanket by Nicolle Bernard

Project Overview

The Rainbow Fade Hexagon Blanket is a beginner-friendly crochet blanket designed by Nicolle Bernard. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished blanket measuring 27.5 x 42 inches, making it an ideal baby blanket or throw. The design features a modular construction using hexagonal motifs that are crocheted individually and then joined together to form the complete blanket.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a colorful hexagon blanket constructed from multiple individual hexagon motifs. The blanket's dimensions of 27.5 x 42 inches make it suitable for use as a baby blanket, lap throw, or decorative blanket for a crib or stroller. The hexagon-based design creates a striking geometric pattern that showcases a rainbow color fade effect.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Rainbow Fade Hexagon Blanket employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginners. The pattern utilizes the magic circle method to start each hexagon motif, which creates a tight, seamless center for the geometric shapes. Hexagons are built outward in rounds using basic stitches and chain spaces, with each round expanding the shape systematically. The modular construction approach means that individual hexagons are completed separately before being joined together, allowing crafters to work on manageable sections and assemble the blanket upon completion.

Stitches and Stitch Details

• Chain (ch) - Used to create foundation chains and decorative spacing throughout the pattern
• Double Crochet (dc) - The primary stitch used to build the body and structure of each hexagon motif
• Chain Space (ch sp) - Created by chain stitches between double crochets, these spaces add openness and definition to the hexagon edges
• Slip Stitch (sl st) - Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions between pattern sections

The hexagon pattern follows a five-step construction process. Step 1 begins with a magic circle foundation. Step 2 establishes the first round with double crochets and chain-2 spaces repeated around the circle. Steps 3 and 4 continue building outward, with each round adding more double crochets and maintaining the chain-2 spaces at the corners to form the hexagon's six distinct points. This systematic expansion creates the characteristic hexagon shape with a gauge of 5 inches corner to corner (or 4.5 inches side to side).

Materials and Yarn

The pattern requires approximately 11 skeins totaling roughly 1000 yards of Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran weight yarn. The color scheme is specifically designed to create a rainbow fade effect: the pattern recommends using 1 skein each of 4 bold colors with their corresponding 4 pale versions, plus 1 skein of grey and 2 skeins of white. This strategic color selection allows crafters to create a gradient effect across the blanket as hexagons are arranged and joined.

Tools and Notions

• 5 mm Crochet Hook - The appropriate hook size for working with Aran weight yarn
• Tapestry Needle - Used for weaving in yarn ends and joining hexagon motifs together
• Sharp Sewing Scissors - Essential for cleanly cutting yarn between color changes and motif completions
• Stitch Markers - Helpful for tracking rounds and maintaining pattern accuracy throughout construction

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as a beginner project, the Rainbow Fade Hexagon Blanket is accessible to crocheters new to the craft. The use of basic stitches (chain, double crochet, and slip stitch) combined with a straightforward modular construction makes this pattern ideal for building fundamental skills. The magic circle technique, while sometimes considered intermediate, is clearly outlined in the pattern steps. The repetitive nature of creating multiple identical hexagons provides excellent practice for stitch consistency and tension control.

Pattern Format and Designer Information

This pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF document, allowing crafters to access instructions digitally and print them if desired. The pattern is written using US crochet terminology. The design is credited to Nicolle Bernard, an independent designer. Additional information and inspiration can be found through the designer's Instagram handle @thetravelinghooker and website travelinghookcreative.com.