Cascade of Clouds Chunky Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket Free Pattern

Introducing the Cascade of Clouds Chunky Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket

Wrap your little one in a soft, squishy cloud of color with this modern take on the classic ripple blanket. The chunky yarn and gentle wave pattern create a dreamy, textured heirloom piece that's as cozy as it is beautiful. This pattern is perfect for beginners who want to tackle a rewarding project with stunning results—the super bulky yarn works up quickly, and the repetitive ripple rhythm is almost meditative once you get going.

Whether you're crafting a gift for a baby shower, decorating a nursery, or simply treating yourself to a cozy afternoon project, this rainbow ripple blanket is sure to become a treasured keepsake. The soft pastel palette—cream, coral, peach, buttercup, sage, sky blue, and lavender—creates a gentle, soothing gradient that feels both modern and timeless.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. All items are readily available at your local yarn shop or online.

Yarn

• Super bulky weight yarn (size 6) in 7 colors:
  • 2 skeins of Cream (MC) – Main Color
  • 1 skein each of Coral, Peach, Buttercup, Sage, Sky Blue, and Lavender

Needles & Notions

• US Size 13 (9 mm) circular knitting needle, 32 inches long (the circular needle accommodates the width of the blanket comfortably)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for keeping track of pattern repeats)
• Scissors

Gauge

8 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (blocked). Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size, so take a moment to knit a small swatch before starting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This blanket is worked in one piece from the bottom up. The ripple pattern is created with increases and decreases, forming gentle peaks and valleys. All slipped stitches are worked purlwise with yarn in front. Don't worry if it feels a bit fiddly at first—the pattern becomes intuitive after a few rows.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sl: Slip stitch purlwise
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together
• Kfb: Knit into front and back of same stitch (increase)
• Rep: Repeat
• MC: Main Color (Cream)
• CC: Contrast Color

Pattern Notes

• The blanket is 36 inches wide and 42 inches long.
• Use a long-tail cast on for a stretchy edge that won't pucker.
• Each color stripe is 10 rows (5 ridges) tall.
• The first and last 3 stitches of every row are worked as a garter stitch border (knit every row) to prevent curling and create a neat, finished edge.

Cast On

With MC (Cream), CO 99 stitches using the long-tail method. This gives you 6 full ripple repeats across the row, plus the 3-stitch borders on each side.

Setup Row (WS)

Knit all stitches. This creates a smooth foundation row before you begin the ripple pattern.

Begin Ripple Pattern

Work the following 10-row repeat, changing colors as indicated in the color sequence below. Each row is written out in full so you can follow along easily.

Row 1 (RS): K3 (border), *K2tog, K2tog, K4, Kfb, K1, Kfb, K4, rep from * to last 3 stitches, K3 (border). (You will have 6 repeats of the ripple pattern across the row.)

Row 2 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 3 (RS): K3, *K2tog, K2tog, K3, Kfb, K3, Kfb, K3, rep from * to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 4 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 5 (RS): K3, *K2tog, K2tog, K2, Kfb, K5, Kfb, K2, rep from * to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 6 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 7 (RS): K3, *K2tog, K2tog, K1, Kfb, K7, Kfb, K1, rep from * to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 8 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 9 (RS): K3, *K2tog, K2tog, Kfb, K9, Kfb, rep from * to last 3 stitches, K3.

Row 10 (WS): K3, Purl to last 3 stitches, K3.

Color Sequence

Follow this color order to create the beautiful rainbow gradient. Each color is worked for 10 rows (Rows 1-10 of the pattern).

1. Work Rows 1-10 with MC (Cream).
2. Work Rows 1-10 with Coral.
3. Work Rows 1-10 with Peach.
4. Work Rows 1-10 with Buttercup.
5. Work Rows 1-10 with Sage.
6. Work Rows 1-10 with Sky Blue.
7. Work Rows 1-10 with Lavender.
8. Repeat this color sequence 3 more times (total of 4 full rainbow stripes).
9. Work Rows 1-10 with MC (Cream) to finish.

Pro tip: When changing colors, don't cut the yarn until you're sure you won't need it again. You can carry the unused color up the side of the work, but for a cleaner finish, it's often easier to cut and weave in ends at the end. Since you're using super bulky yarn, weaving in ends is quick work.

Finishing

Once you've completed all your color stripes and the final cream section, it's time to bind off and finish your blanket.

Bind Off (RS): With MC, bind off loosely using this stretchy method: K2, *slip both stitches back to left needle, K2tog through back loop, K1, rep from * until 1 stitch remains. Cut yarn and pull through the last loop to secure.

Weave in Ends: Thread your tapestry needle with each yarn tail and weave it through the back of the work, following the path of the stitches. Trim any excess yarn.

Blocking: Blocking is essential for this blanket to open up the ripple pattern and even out the stitches. Soak the blanket in lukewarm water with a drop of wool wash for 15-20 minutes. Gently press out excess water (do not wring or twist). Lay the blanket flat on clean towels, shape it to the correct dimensions (36" x 42"), and pin the peaks and valleys if needed. Allow it to dry completely before removing.

Final Thoughts

Once your Cascade of Clouds blanket is dry, you'll have a stunning, heirloom-quality piece that's soft, squishy, and full of gentle texture. The rainbow ripple pattern is a joy to knit and an even greater joy to gift. Whether it's draped over a crib, folded at the foot of a bassinet, or used as a play mat, this blanket is sure to be loved for years to come.

Happy knitting, and enjoy watching your cloud of colors come to life!