Rainbow Granny Blanket ... PATTERN

This pattern came out of my head and onto paper much easier then I anticipated.  =)  So let's get started:

YARN

Blocks:

 Patons Classic Wool

Bright Red (BR) -- Currant (CR) -- Water Chestnut (WC) -- Old Gold (OG)

Lemongrass (LM) -- Leaf Green (LG) -- Emerald (EM) -- Aquamarine (AQ)

Royal Blue (RB) -- Royal Purple (RP) -- Orchid (OR)

Checkerboard Border:

Patons Classic Wool - Dark Charcoal

Lions Brand Fisherman's Wool - Natural

It took a bit of searching to find all the colors but my tenacity paid off.  =)  I used up pretty much every bit of each skein of color and even had to dip into my leftover basket to finish off a few rounds.  But it all worked out in the end.  =)

HOOK

I used my good and faithful Susan Bates size H hook ... lovely as always, my dear!

SIZE

5 round Granny Square  - this is my favorite tutorial if you need a little refresher course.  =)

63 squares (7 across x 9 down)

 

COLOR SEQUENCES

Make 3 of each, following the abbreviations next to the colors:

• Bright Red, Currant, Water Chestnut, Old Gold , Lemongrass
• Leaf Green, Emerald, Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Royal Purple
• Orchid, Bright Red, Currant, Water Chestnut, Old Gold
• Lemongrass, Leaf Green, Emerald, Aquamarine, Royal Blue
• Royal Purple, Orchid, Bright Red, Currant, Water Chestnut
• Old Gold, Lemongrass, Leaf Green, Emerald, Aquamarine
• Royal Blue, Royal Purple, Orchid, Bright Red, Currant
• Water Chestnut, Old Gold, Lemongrass, Leaf Green, Emerald
• Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Royal Purple, Orchid, Bright Red
• Curant, Water Chestnut, Old Gold, Lemongrass, Leaf Green
• Emerald, Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Royal Purple, Orchid
• Lemongrass, Old Gold, Water Chestnut, Currant, Bright Red
• Royal Purple, Royal Blue, Aquamarine, Emerald, Leaf Green
• Old Gold, Water Chestnut, Currant, Bright Red, Orchid
• Royal Blue, Aquamarine, Emerald, Leaf Green, Lemongrass
• Water Chestnut, Currant, Bright Red, Orchid, Royal Purple
• Aquamarine, Emerald, Leaf Green, Lemongrass, Old Gold
• Currant, Bright Red, Orchid, Royal Purple, Royal Blue
• Emerald, Leaf Green, Lemongrass, Old Gold, Water Chestnut
• Bright Red, Orchid, Royal Purple, Royal Blue, Aquamarine
• Leaf Green, Lemongrass, Old Gold, Water Chestnut, Currant
• Orchid, Royal Purple, Royal Blue, Aquamarine, Emerald

ASSEMBLY

I decided not to block the granny squares before adding the final border and joining them together.  That was my choice ... you may feel free to block them if that's your thing.  =)  Lay them out on the floor in a please arrangement (remember 7 across and 9 down).

Each square has two rounds of border color and it was in the second round that I used the Join as You Go method of connecting it to it's neighboring square.  Worked out just ducky ... pleased as punch with the results!

BORDER

Very Simple ... 

First Row - granny clusters all around the blanket with no chain one between clusters

I followed this technique to combat any "ripple effect" that is so common in crocheted blankets.  It works like a charm!

Second row  - chain 4, slip stitch in space between 3 DC cluster.  Repeat this around blanket so you have little "loops."

Third row - 5 single crochet in each "loop" all around the blanket.  These makes a very simple but pretty scallop.  

I just re-read this post and it makes sense ... to me.  =)  Please, please, please post questions or email if you'd like to me explain something differently.  

Love always,

Erin