Rainforest Patchwork Squares Blanket
Updated June 2026: This pattern has been refreshed with clearer instructions, updated photography and additional FAQs.
The Rainforest Patchwork Squares Blanket is a free patchwork crochet blanket pattern inspired by the rich greens, deep purples and earthy tones of the rainforest. Worked in bold patchwork-style colour blocks, each vertical strip is joined seamlessly as you crochet using a slip stitch join-as-you-go technique, eliminating the need to sew individual motifs together.
Using simple half treble crochet clusters and repeating colour blocks, this blanket creates a striking patchwork effect that’s enjoyable for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters alike.
The finished blanket has a contemporary patchwork look with plenty of opportunities to experiment with colour. Leave it borderless for a clean, modern finish, or add your favourite edging to frame the design.
Pattern at a Glance
- Finished size: 120 × 120 cm (47 × 47 in)
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Crochet terminology: UK terms (US conversion included)
- Construction: Worked in 12 vertical strips joined as you crochet
- Border: Optional
- Joining: Slip stitch join-as-you-go
- Yarn: DK weight
- Video demonstration of the slip stitch join-as-you-go method
- Detailed photo tutorial
- Colour changes: 12 colour blocks per strip
Materials
Yarn: The sample uses Stylecraft Special DK 100% Acrylic in nine shades. Approximately 2,655 m (2,903 yds) of DK weight yarn is required.
Stylecraft Special DK (100g/295m balls):
• Cypress (A)
• Parchment (B)
• Grape (C)
• Meadow (D)
• Pale Rose (E)
• Graphite (F)
• Pistachio (G)
• Fuchsia Purple (H)
• Lincoln (I)
Substitute yarns: Any DK weight yarn with good stitch definition can be used.
Crochet Hook: 4mm or size needed to achieve gauge.
Notions: Scissors, needle to weave in ends
Finished Size
Approximately 120cm x 120cm, the actual size of your blanket will depend on your tension (how tightly you crochet).
Please note that once all of the squares have been worked, the nature of the stitch and the drape of the stitch means that, whilst the first square measured 10cm x 10cm, each individual square becomes slightly longer and narrower.
The actual size of my finished worked sample was 119cm x 122cm.
Crochet Skills Used
- Uses simple half treble crochet (UK htr / US hdc), chains and a slip stitch join-as-you-go technique.
- Knowledge of standard crochet terminology is assumed.
- Working in rows.
- Changing colours at the end of a row, and attaching a new colour.
- Slip stitching to join one row to an adjacent row – detailed photos are provided as well as a video tutorial to explain the joining method.
Indicative crochet level: Intermediate
Gauge
One square (14 rows with a foundation chain of 17) measures approximately 10 × 10 cm (4 × 4 in) before joining.
Gauge is not critical for this project, but it will affect the finished size and yarn requirements.
After joining, each square naturally becomes slightly taller and narrower due to the construction of the blanket.
Abbreviations/Crochet Terminology
Pattern is written in UK terms.
ss | Slip stitch |
htr | Half treble crochet |
ch | Chain |
st(s) | Stitch(es) |
htr cluster | A group of 2 half treble crochet stitches worked in the same space |
*to* | Instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified |
Stitch Guide/UK-US Conversion Guide
UK term | US term | Description |
|---|---|---|
Half Treble Crochet (htr) | Half Double Crochet (hdc) | Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on the hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook |
Slip stitch (ss) | Slip stitch (ss) | Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch and through loop |
Chain (ch) | Chain (ch) | Yarn over hook, pull through loop |
Before You Begin
- Read through the joining instructions before starting.
- I recommend making two practice squares to become familiar with the join-as-you-go technique.
- A video tutorial of the joining technique is available if you prefer to learn visually.
- Weave in ends as you complete each strip to make finishing easier.
Notes on Joining (do a practice sample first)
Once the first strip is complete, all remaining strips are joined as you crochet using the slip stitch join-as-you-go method.
I recommend that you try out this joining method in advance of starting the whole blanket. Do this by making two squares in the first vertical strip and then practice joining the next vertical strip using the slip stitch join-as-you-go described below in Fig. 7 to Fig. 32.
There is now a video tutorial of the joining method.
Instructions for the Rainforest Patchwork Squares Blanket
This blanket is worked in 12 vertical strips. You start with making the first strip and then you add subsequent strips whilst joining to the previous strip as you go along.
Each vertical strip is worked in 12 colour blocks, each made up of 14 rows, giving the effect of a 12 by 12 grid of squares. The blanket is worked in half treble crochet (htr in UK terms, or hdc in US terms), and is worked in groups of two half treble stitches (htr clusters).
Pattern for the 1st Vertical Strip
Foundation Row – Using yarn A (Cypress) chain 17 (Fig 1);
Row 1 – 2htr in 3rd ch from the hook, *skip 1 ch, 2htr in next ch*, repeat from *to* until last 2 chains, skip ch, 1htr in last chain, (Fig 2) ch2, turn;
Fig 1 Fig 2
Row 2 – for row 2 and subsequent rows you will be working in the spaces between the htr clusters from the row below as follows: 2htr in first space (the first space is between the single htr worked at the end of row 1 and the 2htr), 2htr in each space until the last space (in between the 2htr and turning chain from the row below), insert 1htr in this last space, (Fig 3) ch2 turn;
Row 3 – 2htr in 1st space, 2htr in each space until last space, 1htr in last space, ch2, turn;
Rows 4-13 – repeat row 3;
Fig 3 Fig 4
Row 14 – repeat as for row 3 but when you come to the working the last htr, stop before the final yarn over (Fig 4) and introduce yarn B (Parchment) for the final yarn over (Fig 5);
Rows 15-27 – work as for row 3, using yarn B (Parchment) (Fig 6);
Fig 5 Fig 6
Row 28 – work as for row 14, introducing the new colour (yarn C – Grape) on the last yarn over;
Subsequent Rows – continue to work 14 rows in each colour until you have completed 12 colour blocks (you should have a total of 168 rows for the first vertical strip).
Colour Order for the First Vertical Strip
Pattern for the 2nd Vertical Strip
The second strip is worked whilst joining to the 1st vertical strip. A video tutorial of the joining method is now available.
Foundation Row – Using yarn G (Pistachio) (Fig 7), attach to the end of the foundation row with a ss (placement indicated in Fig 8) of the 1st vertical strip (Fig 9).
Fig 7 Fig 8
Chain 17 (Fig 10);
Fig 9 Fig 10
Row 1 – 2htr in 3rd ch from the hook, *skip 1 ch, 2htr in next ch*, repeat from *to* until last 2 chains, skip ch, 1htr in last chain (Fig 11), ss into row 1 of the 1st vertical strip (around the post of the end stitch) (Fig 13) (placement indicated in Fig 12).
Fig 11 Fig 12
Ch1 (Fig 14).
Fig 13 Fig 14
Ss in row 2 of the 1st vertical strip (around the post of the end stitch) (Fig 16) (placement indicated in Fig 15), turn (Fig 17);
Fig 15 Fig 16 Fig 17
Row 2 – for row 2 and subsequent rows you will be working in the spaces between the htr clusters from the row below. 2htr in the space between the single htr and the first group of 2htr from the row below (Fig 18).
2htr in each space until the last space (in between the 2htr and turning chain from the row below), insert 1htr in this last space, (Fig 19) ch2 turn (Fig 20);
Fig 18 Fig 19 Fig 20
Row 3 – 2htr in 1st space, 2htr in each space until last space, 1htr in last space (Fig 21), ss into row 3 of the 1st vertical strip (around the post of the end stitch) (Fig 23) (placement indicated in Fig 22).
Fig 21 Fig 22 Fig 23
Ch1 (Fig 24), ss in row 4 of the 1st vertical strip (around the post of the end stitch) (Fig 26) (placement indicated in Fig 25).
Fig 24 Fig 25 Fig 26
Turn (Fig 27);
Fig 27 Fig 28
Rows 4-13 – repeat as for row 3, ss into the corresponding row from vertical strip 1 at the end of each odd numbered row, ch1 and ss into the row above to start an even numbered row;
Row 14 – repeat as for row 3 but when you come to the working the last htr, stop before the final yarn over and introduce yarn E (Pale Rose) for the final yarn over (Fig 30);
Fig 29 Fig 30
Rows 15-27 – work as for row 3, using yarn E (Pale Rose) (Fig 31 & 32).
Fig 31 Fig 32
Colour Order for the Second Vertical Strip
Continue working the 2nd vertical strip in the following colour order:
Subsequent Vertical Strips
Repeat the instructions for the second strip until all 12 strips have been completed.
Colour Chart for Vertical Strips 3-12
Weave in all of your ends! Add a border if you wish, I decided not to add one.
Enjoy your blanket.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this crochet blanket pattern suitable for beginners?
This pattern is best suited to confident beginners or intermediate crocheters. The stitches themselves are simple, using only UK half treble crochet, chains and slip stitches. However, the blanket uses a slip stitch join-as-you-go technique, which is easier if you’re already comfortable reading crochet patterns and changing colours.
Do I need to add a border?
No. The blanket was designed without a border so the patchwork effect remains the main feature. If you prefer, you can easily add a border once all the strips have been joined.
Can I use different colours?
Absolutely! The design works well with many colour palettes. You can recreate the rainforest-inspired version shown in the sample or choose your own combination of colours to suit your home.
Can I use a different yarn?
Yes. The sample is made using DK (light worsted) yarn, but you can substitute another yarn weight if you adjust your hook size accordingly. Keep in mind that changing the yarn weight will alter the finished size and the amount of yarn required.
Is gauge important?
Gauge is not critical for this project, but it will affect the finished size and yarn quantities. Because of the construction of the blanket, each square changes shape slightly after joining, becoming a little narrower and longer than when first worked.
How is the blanket constructed?
The blanket is worked one vertical strip at a time. After completing the first strip, each additional strip is crocheted while being joined to the previous strip using a slip stitch join-as-you-go method. This means there is no sewing together at the end.
Is there a video tutorial?
Yes. A video tutorial is included to demonstrate the slip stitch join-as-you-go method used throughout the pattern.
Can I make the blanket larger or smaller?
Yes. The blanket can easily be adapted by changing the number of vertical strips, the number of colour blocks within each strip, or both. Just remember that any changes will affect the yarn requirements.
Will there be lots of ends to weave in?
Yes. Since each colour block is worked separately, there are a number of ends to weave in. Weaving them in as you go makes the finishing process much more manageable.
Can I sell blankets made from this pattern?
Yes, you’re welcome to sell finished blankets made from this pattern in small quantities. Please do not copy, reproduce, redistribute or sell the pattern itself. If you share your finished blanket on social media, I’d love to see it—tag @thecrochetswirl so I can admire your work!