Multi Color Yarn Crochet Pattern – Retro Waves Blanket

If you love vintage inspired designs and a bit of color play, then you’re going to fall in love with the Retro Waves Blanket. This multi color crochet pattern is a nod to the good ol’ days with its wavy texture and a fun combination of vintage hues. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this project will add a pop of retro charm to your home. Finished size 45″ x 59″.

Why You’ll Love the Retro Waves Blanket

The Retro Waves Blanket uses the classic wave stitch, which creates a beautiful ripple effect that works perfectly with multi-color yarn. It’s not just pretty—it’s soothing to make! You’ll find yourself quickly getting into the rhythm of the stitch, making it a relaxing project that’s easy to pick up and set down as you need.

Plus, the wave stitch is super versatile. You can go as bold or as subtle as you like with your color choices. I opted for a vintage-inspired palette for that extra throwback vibe, but this pattern looks great in everything from neutrals to brights. You know how much I love a good colorful blanket! Handmade blankets are the best.

Afghan Patterns

All my blanket patterns have color changes. I love bright and colorful crochet blankets. Using only what I had in my yarn stash and picking different colors that I thought would all play well together. 

The trickiest part of making a color crochet blanket pattern is getting the colors combinations right. But a retro blanket is supposed to have all sorts of different colors. Some bright, some warm and lots of white to give the eye a break. Go to big box stores like Joann or Michaels and stock up on yarn. Check the yarn label to make sure its a 4 ply so it’s a blanket with some weight to it. Perfect for any home décor.

Let me tell you about a new easy crochet stitch afghan blanket pattern I’ve been working on. It’s called th wave stitch and it’s so much fun to crochet. Such a great project with simple stitches and your choice of color combinations for the colors of yarn you want to us. This fun project is very thrifty too, no new yarn was purchased to make this. Everything came from yarn stash of worsted weights. You don’t need to make a gauge swatch either, just start crocheting. 

Multi Color Crochet Pattern

This wavy strip pattern looks great as a two-color crochet blanket or every row a different color. For best results, make sure you use a worsted-weight yarn to make it durable and snuggly. Pro tip: If you use lots of color like my cozy blanket, every three to four rows use a neutral or white yarn. This allows the eye a break and really made all of the random colors work well together. Try it out and frog it if you don’t agree.

Also, I made this blanket the opposite way you would normally make a blanket. Instead of making rows, I kept the yarn tails and made fringe borders. That way you don’t need to weave in all those tails. Just add more yarn to the ends to give your fringe more fullness. 

I shopped for yarn when I made the Crochet Rectangle Rug and am using the softest of those yarn colors for this blanket. It’s a mix of Caron One Pound and Red Heart .

Make sure you check this out!

After you read this post, make sure you also check out Learn To Crochet for Absolute Beginner’s. It’s jam packed with even more information, links and resources that are so helpful when you’re first learning. It also has a section with free patterns that are great for beginners. So make sure you check this out, seriously don’t forget!

Grab the Shell Stitch Afghan crochet pattern, my free gift to you when you subscribe to my newsletter. Click the link below for your copy.

Multi Color Crochet Pattern – Retro Waves Blanket

Materials: Before we jump into the pattern, let’s gather our materials. For this project, you’ll need:

1. Yarn: This project is a great way to use up scrap yarn from your stash.  You can use any yarn you choose, combine different brands of yarn because it doesn’t really matter. Choose your favorite colors in the same weight category. Worsted weight yarn 4 ply is a good choice.  
2. Crochet Hook: Select your crochet hook size that matches the yarn weight you’ve chosen. Recommended size: 5.50 mm hook / I hook.
3. Scissors: For changing colors of yarn only when you run out of a color.
4. Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends.

STITCH Knowledge:

• Single crochet – Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop.
• Double crochet –  Yarn over and insert the hook into stitch.  Yarn over and pull yarn through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull yarn through the last two loops on the hook.
• Treble crochet – Yarn over twice and insert the hook into stitch. Yarn over and pull yarn through the first two loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull yarn through two loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through the last two loops on the hook.

How to Crochet a Treble Stitch:

1. Yarn Over Twice: Start by yarning over your hook twice. This is what gives the treble its height.
2. Insert Hook: Insert your hook into the stitch where you want the treble stitch to go.
3. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull through the stitch. You should now have four loops on your hook.
4. Yarn Over and Pull Through Two Loops: Yarn over again, and pull through the first two loops on your hook. You’ll have three loops left.
5. Yarn Over and Pull Through Two More Loops: Yarn over again, and pull through the next two loops. Now, you’ll have two loops remaining.
6. Finish the Stitch: Yarn over one last time and pull through the final two loops on your hook.

ABBREVIATIONS (United States Terms):

• CH: chain
• SC: single crochet
• DC: double crochet
• TC: treble crochet
• ST(S): stitch(es)
• CH SP: chain space

Finished Size:

Approximately 45″ x 59″

Multi Color Crochet Pattern – Retro Waves Blanket

This is such a simple stitch pattern but includes the treble stitch for the height on the center of the waves. This easy pattern uses basic crochet stitches including single, double and treble stitches. Treble stitches are easy to do, try holding the yarn you are crocheting into if it gets fiddley.

Treble crochet, also known as triple crochet, is a stitch that adds extra height and an airy feel to your projects. It’s one step taller than the double crochet stitch, and it’s perfect for when you want to cover more ground quickly—think of it as the skyscraper of crochet stitches! I like colorful projects so I did change to a new color for every row. You don’t have to do this but I will list the yarns used down below.

Multi Color Crochet Pattern – Stitch Pattern

First CH 172.

Row 1

Working into the top loop only of each CH ST:  DC in the third chain from the hook.  DC in the next CH.  *TC in the next 2 CHs, DC in the next 2 CHs, SC in the next 2 CHs, DC in the next 2 CHs*.

Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the chain.  The last ST of the last repeat should fall in the last foundation CH ST.  Change color on the last yarn over of the last DC.  Ch 1 and turn.  

Row 2

DC in the same ST as the turning chain.  DC in the next DC.  *TC in the next 2 SC’s, DC in the next 2 DC’s, SC in the next 2 TC’s, DC in the next 2 DC’s*.

Repeat from * to * until you reach the end of the row.  The last ST of the last repeat should fall in the last DC.  Change color on the last yarn over of the last DC.  Ch 1 and turn.  

Row 3 to Row 79

Repeat Row 2 until it’s the width you want it. Super easy, enjoy!

When you feel that your blanket is long enough, bind off and make fringe out of your tails of yarn. Make sure you have tails long enough for your desired fringe.

If fringe isn’t your thing, you can weave in the tails and be done. Or you can add a simple border. Check out my simple crochet borders and pick a pattern to add to this free crochet blanket pattern.

Tips for Making Your Retro Waves Blanket:

• When crocheting your rows, the waves will be the exact opposite from the previous row. This means your stitches are the opposite. For the last two stitches of every row, you will have 2 dc’s. If you don’t, go back and check your work to see where you placed extra stitches. Frog that section and fix. It’s no big deal.
• Make sure you have long tails to make your fringe. You will need to add more yarn to make the fringe fuller and then trim to make it all even and uniform.
• You can make the blanket bigger by adding extra stitches in multiples of 4. You can make it smaller by decreasing the stitches in multiples of 4 as well.

Why the Wave Stitch?

The wave stitch is one of my favorite crochet stitches. It’s beginner-friendly, yet creates such a lovely texture that looks way more complicated than it is. Plus, the wave effect makes this blanket look super cozy – perfect for curling up with on the couch.

Washing Instructions

Always wash your blanket according to the yarn manufacturers washing instructions. The yarns used in this blanket wash up fine in warm or cold water by themselves or thrown in the wash with your regular items. Tumble dry med with a few fabric softener sheet for maximum softness. If using yarn with bright color dye’s, consider washing with cold water on gentle cycle with those color catcher sheet from Shout. If any of the yarn colors bleed or run in the wash, the sheets will catch it and save your crochet or quilting project.

Sew Nikki Free Resources

TUTORIALS

FREE CROCHET PATTERNS

SAVE THIS PIN FOR LATER!

This post contains ads and affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. While the ads are annoying, it helps keep this blog going. See my full disclosure here.

ABOUT SEW NIKKI

If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! My name is Nikki. Long time crocheter and weekend quilter with a super small sewing space. Taught myself how to sew and quilt by watching YouTube videos! My blog has How-To’s, Free Patterns and Pattern Reviews. Read more about me here.

The Retro Waves Blanket is a great way to bring a touch of vintage flair to your crochet projects. I hope this free pattern inspires you to dive into your yarn stash and whip up your own version. If you do, be sure to share it with me! I’d love to see your Retro Waves Blanket in all its colorful glory. Happy crocheting!

Follow me on social media (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) so you get notifications when I post new patterns and tutorials. 

Want to learn how to quilt? Then check out this post, Learn How to Quilt for Absolute Beginner’s.

Sew, quilt, crochet and repeat!